The World-Famous Jacobite Express Train
The Jacobite Steam Train / Hogwarts Express
The world famous ‘Jacobite Express’ train is quite possibly the most beautiful and scenic train journey anywhere.
Operating under various names and with different operators, The Jacobite steam train has been running every summer since 1984 and is currently operated by West Coast Railways.
It is also known as the ‘Jacobean Train’ and the ‘Harry Potter Steam Train’.
It covers part of the West Highland line in Scotland and is a huge hit with tourists, effortlessly combining legendary Scottish folklore, luxury travel and beautiful scenery.
The Glenfinnan Viaduct (pictured above) is perhaps best known from its use in the Harry Potter movies, and the Hogwart’s Express is simply another name for the same route.
The Jacobite Train Route
Many have described a trip aboard The Jacobite as the greatest railway journey in the world. The route runs for a stretch of 41 miles, starting at Fort William and ending at Mallaig, and passing such spots of scenic beauty as Loch Eil, the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Arisaig.
The regular daily service departs from Fort William at 10.15, and arrives in Mallaig at 12.25, with the return journey leaving at 14.10 to arrive back at Fort William by 16.00. The Jacobite Train travels at around 50mph.
Top Tip: For the best views, sit on the left hand side on the way to Mallaig and on the right hand side on the way back!
Whilst Mallaig may be the destination, a trip aboard The Jacobite is just as much about what you will see and experience on the journey, as it is about where you end up.
During the 84 mile round trip, which starts near Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain, you will visit Britain’s most westerly mainland railway station, Arisaig.
You will also pass by the deepest freshwater loch in Britain, Loch Morar, as well as the shortest river in Britain, River Morar, and end up arriving next to Loch Nevis, the deepest seawater loch in the whole of Europe!
Villages visited along the route include Glenfinnan, Lochailort, Arisaig, Morar and Mallaig. You may alight at Arisaig by request to the guard.
For many people, the highlight of the journey is when the train crosses the Glenfinnan viaduct, where you will get a stunning view towards the Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel.
Fort William (Start Point)
Situated at the southern end of the Great Glen, Fort William is known for being the largest town in the whole of the Scottish Highlands. It sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, and is easily accessible from all directions. Definitely worth an exploration of this area before or after your ride aboard The Jacobite Train.
The small town itself is named after William of Orange, and was famously besieged for two weeks by Jacobites, who had taken the other two forts nearby, but failed to conquer Fort William.
Mallaig (End Point)
If you are taking a round trip on The Jacobite Train, you will have around an hour and a half to spend in the end destination of Mallaig, before hopping back aboard for the return journey.
Mallaig is a busy village, with its own port and ferry terminal which services Skye and the Small Isles.
The village was formed in the 1840s when Lord Lovat, the owner of the North Morar Estate, divided up the farmland on the coast and encouraged his tenants to resettle and establish a fishing village.
Whilst you are in Mallaig, there are a host of different shops, bars and restaurants waiting to serve you lunch and the pretty village is well worth a stroll around to soak up the beautiful atmosphere.
The Jacobite Train and the Glenfinnan Viaduct
Arguably the most famous location visited whilst aboard The Jacobite Train is the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
The viaduct is built from mass concrete and is the longest concrete railway bridge in Scotland at 380m long, and it crosses the River Finnan at a whopping height of 30 m.
From aboard The Jacobite, one cannot help but admire the view towards the Glenfinnan monument.
The 18m high monument was built in 1815 as a poignant reminder of the clansmen who gave their lives to the Jacobite cause.
It was here in Glenfinnan that Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his Father’s standards, less than a year before the Battle of Culloden, marking the start of the 1745 Jacobite campaign.
When time allows, The Jacobite Train may pause on the Viaduct to allow you time to take in the truly magnificent views and take some photographs.
If you are not aboard the train, but would like to witness it crossing over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, be at the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre before 10.45 am or 3.00 pm daily.
This 21-arched bridge was made particularly well known after it featured in the Harry Potter film series. The company running the Jacobite service provided Warner Brothers with the train used as the Hogwarts Express in all of the movies and allowed them use of the Jacobite's route for filming.
History of The Jacobite Train
In 1901 the North British Railway opened the Mallaig extension of the West Highland Line. It was heavily subsidised by the British Government and was built with the intention of opening up the more rural and remote areas of the Scottish Atlantic coast.
It was operated by steam locomotive until 1967, when regular steam services were withdrawn from all over the West Highland Line, and replaced with more reliable and efficient diesel locomotives as part of the British Rail Modernisation plan.
But then in 1984, a steam-hauled service was re-introduced over part of the line by ScotRail, in an attempt to boost tourism. Initially called the West Highlander, the train proved successful and was then later renamed The Lochaber.
British Rail became privatised in 1995 and West Coast Railways were granted the operating license for the West Highlander trains, and they introduced the new name for the train, The Jacobite, due to the many local connections to the historic Jacobite political movement.
What started out as a once daily service, proved so popular, that in 2011 West Coast Railways added a second daily Jacobite service during the busy season of June to August.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you catch The Jacobite Train?
The Jacobite Train leaves from Fort William and the return journey departs from Mallaig.
How long does The Jacobite Train take?
The train journey takes around 2 hours for each leg, with a one and a half hour stop off in Mallaig before the return journey.
If you intend to complete the return journey you should allow around 6 hours for the day trip.
How much do Jacobite Steam Train tickets cost?
Morning Service:
Running from Thursday 28th March to Friday 25th October 2024 (seven days per week)
Afternoon Service:
Running from Monday 6th May to Friday 27th September 2024 (seven days per week)
Standard Fare Tickets
Adult Day Return - £65
Child (under 16) Day Return - £36
First Class Tickets
Adult Day Return - £98
Child Day Return (16 or under) - £64
Private Table For 2 Return £210
Compartments £398
The Compartment price is for a compartment (sole use), which seats up to six passengers.
When does the Jacobite Train pass over the Glenfinnan Viaduct?
If you want to see train passing over the viaduct rather than be a passenger on the train, be at the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre before 10.45 am or 3.00 pm daily.