Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Glenfinnan Glenfinnan Viaduct

Glenfinnan Viaduct

Now famous as the "Harry Potter bridge," this impressive concrete viaduct has long been an icon in its own right.

Glenfinnan, Scotland

Added By
Alan Newman
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Bathed in sunlight.   john mcsporran
The viaduct.   Antonio Caiazzo
A train chugging along the viaduct, though not heading to Hogwarts.   nschouterden
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  GaryE1981
  WISEBUYS21
  Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
  coljay72 / Atlas Obscura User
  coljay72 / Atlas Obscura User
  coljay72 / Atlas Obscura User
The spectacular span of the viaduct   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
Blue sky through the arches   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
The viaduct.   Phil Champion
A train chugging along the viaduct.   John Allan
A train chugging along the viaduct.   Ian Taylor
The viaduct.   Ian Taylor
Explanation.   Bill Kasman
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

This giant curving viaduct is an iconic scene for any Harry Potter fans and hopeful Hogwarts attendees. But even if the Hogwarts Express hadn’t been shown chugging along the railroad on its way to the famous school of witchcraft and wizardry, this viaduct would still deserve to be an icon in its own right. The setting promises excellent views as the viaduct overlooks the waters of Loch Shiel and the Glenfinnan Monument.

Built in the 1890s, this railroad viaduct was the first structure in Britain to be built with mass concrete. It was this innovative building method that allows the overpass to remain in such good shape today.

The viaduct was constructed by Robert McAlpine and Sons under the control of Sir Robert McAlpine, who became so fond of constructing in concrete that he was given the nickname "Concrete Bob." The crew built the 100-foot-tall, 416-yard-long bridge along an elegant curve, which lets train passengers look out the window and catch fantastic views of the other end of the train chugging along the tracks against a backdrop of beautiful Highland scenery.

Despite its importance as a civil engineering icon and the clear beauty of its surroundings, the railway didn’t gain fame until it was used in several of the Harry Potter movies. In particular, fans will notably remember the scene featuring the viaduct, the Hogwarts Express, and Arthur Weasley’s flying Ford Anglia. It's even nicknamed the "Harry Potter Bridge." The Glenfinnan Viaduct appears on some banknotes as well. 

Apparently, since its brief role in the movies, the British Transport Police have had to put up signs to discourage trespassing following a number of near-misses between trains and Harry Potter fans, as the overpass is still very much in use.

The diesel-powered West Highland Line frequently runs across it and there are regular steam-hauled excursions available in the summer. The iconic Jacobite steam train runs across the viaduct to Fort William and Mallaig. The train may pause at the viaduct, time permitting, to allow visitors to take in the magnificent views. 

Related Tags

Infrastructure Trains Pop Culture Railroads World's First

Community Contributors

Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

Edited By

TeaAndCoffeeLover, Kerry Wolfe, Collector of Experiences, Gavin...

  • TeaAndCoffeeLover
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • Collector of Experiences
  • Gavin
  • katielou106
  • coljay72

Published

March 28, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jun/07/how-harry-potter-saved-small-highland-towns-economy
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenfinnan_Viaduct
  • https://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/glenfinnan-p236571
  • https://rove.me/to/scotland/the-jacobite-steam-train
  • https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/jacobite/steam-train-trip
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Glenfinnan, Scotland
United Kingdom
56.876323, -5.431851
Visit Website

Nearby Places

The Leaning Tower of Glenfinnan

Glenfinnan, Scotland

miles away

Big Red Bottle Boat

Fort William, Scotland

miles away

Neptune's Staircase

Banavie, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Glenfinnan

Glenfinnan

Scotland

Places 2

Nearby Places

The Leaning Tower of Glenfinnan

Glenfinnan, Scotland

miles away

Big Red Bottle Boat

Fort William, Scotland

miles away

Neptune's Staircase

Banavie, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Glenfinnan

Glenfinnan

Scotland

Places 2

Related Stories and Lists

The Ultimate Guide to Stunning, Surprising, or Hidden Filming Locations

List

By Michelle Cassidy

Related Places

  • Tehachapi, California

    Tehachapi Loop

    Where a railroad loops under or over itself to rise or drop more than 70 feet in a short distance.

  • Intercity train with observation car at the rear.

    Nanuoya, Sri Lanka

    The Main Line

    Known as the most scenic route in Sri Lanka, this train line is steeped in history and offers an unparalleled view of the country.

  • Preserved section of old viaduct.

    Llanelli, Wales

    Loughor Viaduct

    A section of a historic wooden trestle viaduct is preserved next to the railway line it once carried.

  • The Durango-Silverton Train billows with steam along its 26-mile winter trek to Cascade Canyon.

    Durango, Colorado

    Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

    This spectacular track has run continuously since 1882.

  • Llucmajor, Spain

    Puente de las Siete Bocas

    This spectacular bridge is part of an abandoned train line that once connected Mallorcan capital to the southeastern coast.

  • Telgárt, Slovakia

    Chmarošský Viaduct

    A gorgeous stone viaduct crosses over a bucolic valley.

  • Smardale Gill Viaduct.

    Smardale, England

    Smardale Gill Viaduct

    A spectacular disused railway viaduct in a beautiful countryside nature reserve.

  • Bridge to Nowhere

    Irlavas pagasts, Latvia

    Bridge to Nowhere

    A railway bridge leading nowhere stands lonely in the middle of a meadow.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.