Photo of the Day – 12 October 2016: “Harry Potter” Train

This was an opportunistic shot of a steam train crossing the viaduct at Glenfinnan, a location made famous in the Harry Potter films.  During the summer and autumn a regular steam hauled service, “The Jacobite”, runs between Fort William and Mallaig, with the viaduct being one of the journey’s highlights.  Its popularity owes much to the Harry Potter connection.

I was driving to Mallaig when I saw the train leaving Fort William and raced it to Glenfinnan where there is a viewing area.  There was just enough time to park and put on my walking shoes to climb the rough path to reach it.  One of the reasons the viaduct is so iconic is that it curved as it crosses the glen, but unfortunately to appears to be straight when viewed head on from this location.  A much longer walk up the glen is necessary to reach a spot to get the better known shot seen in the Harry Potter films.  That was something for which I had not planned.  This viewpoint, though, does give a better indication of the viaduct’s setting against the hills.

On the outward journey, the locomotive runs tender first as seen here.  For the return leg in the afternoon, it is in the more conventional position at the head of the carriages.

“Harry Potter” Train
(Click on image for a larger version}

Glenfinnan is also known for the memorial located at the head of Loch Shiel which commemorates the Jacobite clansmen who lost their lives in the campaign led by Bonnie Prince Charlie.  It too can be seen from the view point with the loch in the background.  It is owned by National Trust Scotland and is a short walk in the opposite direction of the viaduct.  It is possible to ascend the monument, although as I discovered on another occasion, it is a very tight squeeze at the top.

UPDATE

The Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel taken shortly after the previous shot.

Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel
(Click on image for a larger version)

This post is part of my occasional “Photo of the Day” series when I publish any shots which I think might be of interest and tell the story behind them.  They might not necessarily be portfolio standard images, nor the final version, but still be of sufficient interest for inclusion in my blog.  If I do not show a shot on any given day, it does not mean that I did not take any photographs, just that I did not get anything worthwhile.  For me, that is part of the fun of photography, not knowing what you will find on a shoot when nothing is planned.