Watching the Jacobite steam train pass over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, could well be one of the most memorable moments of your Highlands trip! Although, it has now been popularised due the Harry Potter films, it’s still an unmissable moment for its breath-taking beauty as it offers an unrivalled opportunity to actually see a beautifully preserved steam train chugging through stunning surroundings. 

The 1000ft long and 100ft high railway bridge was created in 1897 and gracefully snakes through the valley at the top of Loch Shiel, dominating the landscape with its 21 arches and concrete curved structure. In my opinion, the viaduct even without the train crossing is worth the visit alone.

The train crosses the bridge four times daily between the months of April / May and September/ October, but the two trains which leave from Fort William to Mallaig are the ones which are travelling in the right direction for the ‘money shot’. West Coast Railways run a morning service and afternoon service departing Fort William, check the timetable here for dates and departure times. It usually takes around 30 – 40 minutes for the train to reach the viaduct once it has left Fort William, but I would advise arriving there extra early to make sure you secure a car parking spot and get a first-class viewpoint on the hill!

From the car park you will need to do a short hike to reach the vantage point, it only takes around 15 minutes on a well-marked path, but beware it can get very muddy, so I’d advise hiking boots for this! Once you are at the top, scout out a good position and enjoy the excitement and anticipation of waiting for the train to arrive. When you see it appearing in the distance, ensure you are prepared with your camera on hand to capture that iconic shot, as within a minute it will have passed. The steam billowing from the chimney, the tooting of the whistle and people waving from the carriages make it a truly magical moment to witness! 

If you want to, you can also take a journey on the steam train itself by heading to the ‘book now’ section on the West Coast Railways website. A word of warning here though because seats sell out months in advance, so you need to be booking well ahead!