Our coach leaves bright and early from Edinburgh heading first over the Firth of Forth then onwards through ancient Fife. We enter Highland Perthshire and make a comfort stop in the Victorian resort of Pitlochry before travelling through the Grampian Mountains to reach the picturesque Cairngorms National Park.
As we tour through Glen Spean look out for Ardverikie House, which recently played the part of Balmoral Castle in the latest series of “The Crown”.
A drive along the scenic “Road to the Isles” brings us to the historic fishing port of Mallaig, where there are fantastic views of the Isle of Skye across the Sound of Sleat.
After free time to relax and, maybe enjoy a tasty treat from the famous Fish and Chip shop, it’s time to head to the station to join one of the world’s most incredible railway journeys aboard the Jacobite Steam Train.
The journey starts with superb coastal views as the train puffs its way past the silver sands of Morar to reach Arisaig, sitting by the sheltered shores of Loch nan Ceall.
Further on, we pass the tiny islet of Eilean na Moine, the location of Dumbledore’s final resting place. Loch Eilt surrounds the small island, used as the setting for Hagrid’s hut, and for the scene in Deathly Hallows Part 1 where Voldemort steals the Elder Wand.
The highlight of the journey is crossing the breathtaking 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct, one of the most iconic images from the Harry Potter films as the train, now forever known as the Hogwarts Express, passes over the viaduct to Hogwarts School.
If time allows, the train might stop on the viaduct, as it did in Prisoner of Azkaban when Harry had his first run-in with a Dementor, allowing us some time to take in the stunning views of beautiful Loch Shiel, one of two lochs that stood in for Hogwarts Lake in the films. It’s where Buckbeak dips his toe in the water in Prisoner of Azkaban, and it’s seen to great effect in a lovely shot at the end of Half-Blood Prince when Hermione and Harry look out towards it from the Astronomy Tower.
The end of the line is Fort William, which sits on the banks of Loch Linnhe and in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain. On our homeward journey, we will pass by some of the locations featured in several of the Harry Potter films.
If time permits there will be a short stop in dramatic Glen Coe, where several scenes from the series were filmed, notably the part in Prisoner of Azkaban where Hermione punches Draco Malfoy.
Further on, we pass the bleak wilderness of Rannoch Moor, we’re at the place where the Death Eaters halted and boarded the train in the Deathly Hallows Part 1.
There will be a short refreshment break in Tyndrum, before making for Stirling and the final part of our magical journey back into Edinburgh.
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