Jacobite Excursion

Now leaving from Platform 9 3/4 …

OK it wasn’t really the Hogwart Express that we boarded, and it was Platform 2, but it was the train they used for the Harry Potter movies. More about our excursion in a moment.

But first, in my last post, I meant to mention our accommodation in Glencoe. We stayed in a delightful, comfortable and well-equipped cottage right in the heart of Glencoe. The location couldn’t have been more convenient. Kentra Cottage can be found on VRBO or directly from the owner at www.discoverwestcoast.co.uk. Kirsty, the owner, was absolutely great to deal with.

Several days before our trip on the Jacobite Steam Train, we drove to Glenfinnan to photograph the viaduct also made famous by various films including the Harry Potter movies. The viewing areas are about a 20 minute walk from the parking lot. The viaduct is part of the West Highland railway line between Fort William and Mallaig. Built between 1897 and 1901, it’s 21 arches spas 1000 feet at up to 100 feet above the ground below.

Every morning, a sizeable crowd gathers to watch the Jacobite train cross the viaduct. You can hear the staccato puffing of the steam engine several minutes before it rounds the bend and crosses below the popular viewing area.

A few days later, we drove the half hour from Glencoe to the Fort William Train Station for our reservation aboard the Jacobite Steam Train. The train departed at 10:15 am. We had booked a compartment for the trip. Rather than a ticket per person, compartments cost a flat rate. The compartment can accommodate up to 6 passengers, so for the two of us it was a bit of an extravagance. But we figured, when else would we get an opportunity like this? We definitely felt like we were “travelling in style”!

Clicking any photo in the galleries below will open a full-sized version of the image.

The train steamed out of the station precisely on time and, a few minutes later, we were chugging along through some absolutely breathtaking countryside.

About 35 or 40 minutes into the trip, we crossed the Glenfinnan Viaduct and, a few minutes later, arrived in Glenfinnan. We had about a 20 minute stop there: long enough to stretch your legs, check out the museum in the station, or buy a Harry Potter souvenir.

Soon, we were on our way again, enjoying the countryside unfolding before us.

Just before 12:30, we rolled into Mallaig. This picturesque fishing village and port was the terminus of the outbound leg of our trip. Our stop here was about 1.5 hours, just long enough to grab lunch in a local restaurant (which, not surprisingly, fill quickly once the train disgorges its passengers) and check out a shop or two.

During our stop, the engine was moved to the opposite end of the train. It still faced the same way, which meant, for the return journey, it would be chugging along in reverse.

The train left precisely on time for your return trip. The route was the same so we had a second chance to enjoy the scenery.

Once again we crossed the Glenfinnan Viaduct. On both the outbound and return legs, I tried to film a video of the crossing. Unfortunately, the reflection on the window and our proximity to the engine meant that the video did not turn out well. In the image below you can see how the view of the engine is obscured by the reflection of the curtain in the window.

All too soon, we were steaming back into Fort William and the end of our adventure.

If you enjoy steam trains, if you enjoy a bit of nostalgia, if you enjoy Harry Potter movies, if you enjoy Agatha Christie or other old British mysteries, if you enjoy slightly different adventures, if you enjoy great scenery … in other words, if you have a pulse, you will enjoy a half-day trip on the Jacobite Steam Train. A variety of seat prices are available but I would caution you to book early. Tickets sell out quickly once a new season goes on sale. For more information, check out westcoastrailways.co.uk/jacobite/steam-train-trip.