Travel Report: Glenfinnan, Scotland.

Glenfinnan, Scotland.

July 2015. The minuscule hamlet of Glenfinnan lies in the Lochaber area of The Scottish Highlands. It’s just a thirty minute drive west of Banavie, the village my sister lives in outside the town of Fort William. Set deep in the heart of some truly stunning Scottish countryside, Glenfinnan is a location of huge historical consequence.

It was right here that Charles Edward Stuart, better known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, started the Jacobite rising in 1745. Today, Glenfinnan Monument marks the spot where Charlie addressed over a thousand Scottish clansmen to kick off his ill-fated campaign.

Bonnie Prince Charlie: Loved an uprising.

The Glenfinnan Monument was the brainchild of the architect James Gillespie Graham and the famed soldier John MacDonald of Glenaladale. They built it in 1815 to commemorate the Jacobites who fought and died during The Uprising.

Today the monument stands in a walled compound which can only be accessed via a guided tour. Visits leave from The Glenfinnan Visitor Centre every half an hour and there’s a limit of six people per group.

Glenfinnan, Scotland.

The walled compound of Glenfinnan Monument.

A viewing platform sits atop the eighteen meter column. A kilted soldier, known as The Unknown Highlander, also tops the monument gazing pensively across the countryside. 

The Unknown Highlander at the top of The Glenfinnan Monument.

As if the monument itself isn’t dramatic enough, how about its location on the edge of the gorgeous Loch Shiel? Fans of the Harry Potter movies will be delighted to know that filming for all the Black Lake scenes was done right here on Loch Shiel. These mystical waters also crop up in several scenes of the cult action fantasy movie Highlander.

Loch Shiel, Glenfinnan.

As you gaze out over Loch Shiel, it’s impossible to miss the striking form of Glenfinnan House Hotel. Should you have deep pockets, this is certainly the place to stay in Glenfinnan.

Glenfinnan House Hotel.

This massive stone mansion dates back to the 1750s and features a classical drawing room, a log fire in the main hall and dozens of historical paintings. Moreover, rooms are elegant but simple, with doubles starting from £140 a night in the low season. The current owner is an award-winning chef, hence the grub is excellent.

The Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Perhaps the most dramatic sight of all is that of The Glenfinnan Viaduct, which carries a one thousand foot stretch of railway line a hundred meters above ground level. Services run through nearby Glenfinnan Station, where you can also pop into the charming little Railway Museum for some local history.

The Jacobite Steam Train.

The Jacobite Steam Train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Tourists stand patiently waiting for a glimpse of The Jacobite Steam Train as it passes through on its way to Mallaig. The bridge also appears in the Harry Potter movies when Harry and chums chug off to school on The Hogwarts Express.

During filming, local pupils from Lochaber High School featured as Hogwarts students. The train only passes though twice a day and I hadn’t bothered to research. Thus I felt truly blessed when it suddenly puffed into view and I was able to grab this shot.

Like this? Check out my other reports from around The Scottish Highlands.

Want to delve further afield? Why not leaf through more of my travel articles from across Scotland.

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