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Jacobite Steam Train...worth it?

Is it worth spending a whole day ride the train when we have a car and would be able to drive and stop for things we thought were intresting? Truly I am only interested in the Viaduct but my husband thought it might be fun since it's the Harry Potter train. Thanks for the help!
-Mandy

Posted by
459 posts

We did not ride the train but we did visit the viaduct. We drove from our B&B in Fort William to the viaduct and did the short hike up to the viaduct. I am not a huge Harry Potter fan but my wife is and I admit to really enjoying the visit to the viaduct. Here is a link to the walkthehighlands web site that will give you directions to the viaduct and up the trail for cool vantage point. You can check around and figure out when the train passes the viaduct and plan your visit that way. The hike was not real taxing and after the train passed (pretty cool being above the viaduct on the hill and seeing the train steam through!!!) we hiked on around to the train station and had nice lunch in the train car at the Glennfinnen station. We had done tougher hikes on previous days so this was a welcomed easy day. So, I dont know about riding the train but it is pretty cool to see the viaduct and watch the train pass. Then your day is open for other things, we watched the train pass in the morning its way west. here is the link for the hike. The hike up to a vantange point above the viaduct and then a trek to continue on around to the train station and bck to the parking area probably took us about 2-2.5 hours. Kinda funny to see three or four different couples up on the hill awaiting the train, sipping wine, munchin on cheese and crackers at 10 AM!! hope this is helpful http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortwilliam/glenfinnan.shtml wanted to mention we were there in the middle of October, jacket weather.

Posted by
4137 posts

Since you will most likely be coming from Ft William on the A82 , just after you turn onto the A830 ( first left exit from the roundabout ) , keep an eye to your right - and turn right ( at Banavie ) into the carpark and have look at " Neptune's Staircase " This is the set of locks designed by Thomas Telford that begins the Caledonian Canal , to Loch Lochy , Loch Ness , and up to Inverness . Also stop to see the Glenfinnan Monument , just before the carpark near the viaduct .