Glenfinnan Station West Highlands

Glenfinnan Station, Glenfinnan, Scotland

Glenfinnan Station, West Highlands

Glenfinnan Station in Glenfinnan, on the shores of picturesque Loch Shiel, is a station on the West Highland Line from Glasgow via Fort William to Mallaig on the coast.

The Glenfinnan Viaduct, now famous through the Harry Potter series of movies, is just 1 km east of the station.

The viaduct carries the rail line ("the Iron Road to the Isles") across the Finnan River before it empties into the loch.

The 1000 foot long bridge curves gracefully almost 180 degrees across the valley and passengers on the trains enjoy great views of the loch below.

The heritage stream train the Jacobite passes over during the summer months, and this is what now draws visitors for the photo opportunity, now for many the train is known as the Hogwarts Express for its Harry Potter connections.

The Jacobite stopped at Glenfinnan Station. — The Jacobite stopped at Glenfinnan Station

History

The station built of local stone opened in 1901. It has two platforms - an Up and a Down platform.

The Up platform has departures for Mallaig and the Down for Fort William and Glasgow.

The station buildings were refurbished in 2007.

The steam train The Jacobite crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct. — The steam train The Jacobite crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, a scene familiar to every viewer of the Harry Potter movies

Museum

The station building on the Down platform has now been turned into a museum.

It is dedicated to not only the building of the impressive viaduct but also the construction of the branch line from Fort William to Mallaig. There are nostalgic displays that will appeal to railway buffs of all ages including railway photography. The museum also has a small gift shop.

The museum opens seasonally open from Easter until the end of October mainly when the Jacobite is running. The museum is a charitable trust run by a group of volunteers - the Friends of Glenfinnan Station.

At the station the traditional signal box is also open to the public and the museum has several heritage carriages, the dining car being used as a cafe and a sleeping car converted into overnight accommodations. Visitors can book the sleeping car on the museum's website below.

Access

Station Road, Glenfinnan
Scotland PH37 4LT
Tel: 01397 722 295
www: glenfinnanstationmuseum.co.uk

The Glenfinnan Station Museum, Scotland, UK. — Glenfinnan Station Museum filled with nostalgic railway paraphernalia and documenting the construction of the West Highland Line

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

The Glenfinnan Monument on the shore of Loch Shiel in Glenfinnan. — The Glenfinnan Monument on the shore of Loch Shiel in Glenfinnan

Trains

The Jacobite runs seasonally in the summer and autumn months only.

There are four daily trains up to Mallaig and three down to Glasgow Queen Street Station. Another train runs only to Fort William where it connects with the overnight Caledonian Sleeper to Euston Station in London on weekdays only.

If you wish to stay in the area try the recommended Glenfinnan House Hotel or The Armoury, with two bedrooms, a garden and private parking.

Renting a car is another option for getting around this part of Scotland.

Nearby

The nearby St. Mary & St. Finnan Church is a Catholic church completed in 1872 in the Gothic style. There are also superb views over the loch from the church.

The Glenfinnan Monument was built in 1815 to commemorate the spot where in 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his family standard and began the ill-fated Jacobite Uprising, the last of several that took place in the early 18th century.