Family Vacations: Harry Potter Train, Scotland

The 84-mile train ride from Fort William to Mallaig in the Scottish Highlands is only two hours long, yet staring at the majestic scenery in awe, you wish it would never end. In fact, the terrain is so breathtaking that the Hogwarts Express seen in many Harry Potter films took the same route. You'll be aboard The Jacobite, a steam train that leads you past Scotland's highest mountain and deepest loch before arriving at the country's most westerly train station. Once you arrive in Mallaig, you can walk around this fishing port known for its herring catch, before taking the return jaunt. Or, continue your travels by ferry to the Isle of Skye, to visit the 13th-century Dunvegan Castle. Just be on the lookout for Potter's arch-nemesis, Voldemort.

Away from the cameras, the historic steam train is called The Jacobite and runs from Fort William to Mallaig, essential destinations if you’re touring Scotland’s West Coast.

The route winds through Highlands valleys and beside lochs and glens. It begins in the Highlands capital, Fort William, under the shadow of Ben Nevis at the southern end of the Great Glen.

One of the main highlights of the journey is crossing the 21 arches of the Glenfinnan viaduct, memorably captured in the Harry Potter films and overlooking Loch Shiel. You can alight at Glenfinnan station to stretch your legs and visit the West Highland Railway Museum.

By request, the train can also stop at the quiet little village of Arisaig before reaching the end of the line at Mallaig, the ferry port for the Isle of Skye. Views from Mallaig stretch across the water to the islands, and the little harbor town is small enough to discover on foot during a Hogwarts Express stopover. Good British fish and chips is a specialty here.

You can ride a leg of the Hogwarts Express train from Mallaig to Fort William as part of a three- or five-day excursion from Edinburgh to Skye, the Cairngorms and Scotland’s West Coast.

Looking for that uniquely different family vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today (602) 843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
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