Glenfinnan Travel Guide: 10 Epic Things to Do in Glenfinnan
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Glenfinnan, I’ve got you covered.
Glenfinnan’s biggest attraction is the railway viaduct and the Jacobite steam train that crosses it but this glen is also one of the most beautiful places in Scotland. In this guide, I’ll share how to make the most of it.
Surrounded by rugged mountain peaks, Glenfinnan sits at the top of Loch Shiel in Scotland’s West Highlands. On the shore, you’ll find Glenfinnan Monument with the Lone Highlander standing guard at the top.
Glenfinnan Viaduct sweeps around the head of the glen, made famous by Harry Potter. You can soak up the view (and landscape) from multiple viewpoints and eat lunch in a historic railway carriage.
Learn about ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’ at the visitor centre or take a boat tour of the loch in search of red deer and golden eagles.
I’ve visited Glenfinnan twice and it was easily one of my favourite places in Scotland. So, read on to find the top activities you won’t want to miss.
Map of what to do in Glenfinnan
The top things to do in Glenfinnan, Scotland
1. Marvel at Glenfinnan Viaduct
It’s probably the main reason why you’re here! The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a 21-arch concrete Victorian railway bridge connecting the West Highland Line over the River Finnan 100ft below.
It cuts a striking image against the backdrop of the rugged Highlands but it’s most famous for appearing in the Harry Potter film franchise as the bridge the Hogwarts Express crosses.
A steam train crosses the bridge in real life. It’s the deep-red Jacobite steam train that runs from Fort William to Mallaig from April to September. You can ride the steam train to Glenfinnan or watch it cross the bridge. I’ve done both!
If you want to see the Jacobite cross Glenfinnan Viaduct, get there by 9:45 am in time to see it at about 10:45 am on its outbound journey from Fort William to Mallaig.
The viewpoint gets busy so it’s best to get there as early as possible. Signs point you in the right direction so you don’t have to worry about how to visit Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Wondering whether Glenfinnan Viaduct is worth visiting without the Jacobite train? Yes! It’s still a great landmark. It’s the longest concrete railway viaduct in Scotland and looks stunning all year round.
You could visit in autumn to see the concrete viaduct contrast with fiery orange foliage or go just before sunset to watch the sun bathe it in golden light.
2. Spot the Lone Highlander on Glenfinnan Monument
Glenfinnan Monument is one of my favourite things to do near Glenfinnan Viaduct but it often gets missed by visitors as it’s in the opposite direction.
It’s an 18m tower on the shores of Loch Shiel just across the road from the visitor centre car park. It was erected in 1815 to remember the Highlanders who lost their lives in the 1745 Jacobite Rising led by Charles Edward Stuart.
If you look carefully, you can spot the statue of the Lone Highlander at the top of the tower. You can go up the tower for about £5.50 to get a panoramic view of the Highlands but it was closed when I was there.
I think the view is better OF the monument itself rather than from it. The best view is from the top of the hill next to the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre.
3. Seek out other Glenfinnan Viaduct viewpoints
The best viewpoint is on the slope above Glenfinnan Viaduct on the left-hand side as you get to see its curved shape from above and the Jacobite train faces you on its outbound journey.
There are a few other viewpoints worth visiting for a different perspective, with or without the train. The first one is on the hill above the viaduct on the right-hand side.
To get there, cross the river, walk underneath the viaduct and up the slope. From there, you get a great view of the top of the viaduct curve.
It’s a good place to see the Jacobite train returning from Mallaig as it’s facing you but the engine will be reversed so you don’t get that nice plume of steam.
The second viewpoint includes a panoramic view of the viaduct and the monument. You can find it by following a signed trail next to the visitor centre.
It’s a short but a little steep walk up the hill until you reach a flat plateau with a few picnic tables. On one side, you have an iconic view of Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel stretching into the distance.
On the other side, there’s a nice view across the glen with the dramatic arches of Glenfinnan Viaduct sweeping across it.
It’s quite far away to get a good view of the Jacobite here unless you have a camera with a quality zoom lens!
4. Do a nature walk near Loch Shiel
If you’re looking for other things to do near Glenfinnan that take you away from the crowds at the viaduct, there are two 30-minute nature trails you can do.
The Dragonfly Trail and the Pinewood Trail both start near Glenfinnan Monument. Once you cross the road from the visitor centre, you’ll see a signposted trail leading off through the trees on your left.
The Dragonfly Trail is an easy stroll along even paths and boardwalks. You cross the Callop River and walk through wetlands, home to dragonflies and damselflies. To return, you just walk back on yourself.
The Pinewood Trail follows the Dragonfly Trail but once you cross the Callop River, you can climb up the pine-covered knoll of Torran Dubhais.
From there, you have beautiful views of Loch Shiel, the viaduct and the monument. Take care as the path is narrow and steep with some uneven bits.
Annoyingly these trails were closed due to safety issues with the broadwalks and bridge when I was there. I would check with Forestry and Land Scotland to find out whether they’re open during your visit.
5. Learn about the Bonnie Prince at Glenfinnan Visitor Centre
Glenfinnan Visitor Centre is owned by the National Trust for Scotland. It’s right by the car park and has a shop and (free!) toilets. There’s a cafe attached but it’s only open during the winter.
If you happen to be peckish or need a coffee fix, there’s a kiosk in the car park which serves coffee and sandwiches from spring to autumn.
It’s worth having a look inside the visitor centre as there’s a small free exhibition about Charles Stuart and the Jacobite Rising.
In 1745, the Bonnie Prince’ as he was called, raised his standard (royal flag) in Glenfinnan and 1,200 Highlanders pledged allegiance to him.
His campaign was to overthrow King George II and take the British throne for the Stuarts. Raising the standard was the start of the Jacobite Rebellion.
Eight months later, the rebellion came to a bloody end when the Jacobites were defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.
The exhibition tells you about the run-up to the Jacobite Rebellion, why it happened and the 1745 Gathering which began Charles Stuart’s ill-fated campaign.
6. Walk the Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail
The Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail is a 30-minute walk from Glenfinnan Station to the viaduct viewpoint. You will do this anyway if you take the train but it’s nice to do it in reverse if you’ve driven there.
It starts from the Glenfinnan Station Dining Car and you follow the footpath up on the hillside and along the top of the glen. It’s an easy-moderate trail with some steep and uneven parts.
There are multiple places to stop and admire the view of Loch Shiel emerging in the distance. You soon walk parallel to the railway line and end up on the hill above the viaduct.
Walk through a wooden gate and you’ll come out at the viewpoint (the best one to see the Jacobite!).
To do it in reverse, walk through the wooden gate to start and finish with refreshments or a look around the museum at the station.
You might even spot the ‘wee railway’ line in the woods below the station. It’s a model railway which has been under construction for years.
7. Visit the Glenfinnan Station Museum
Glenfinnan Station is tiny but it does have a museum. It’s a lovely little place to pop in and while away half an hour if you’re waiting for your train.
Run by volunteers, the museum tells you the history of the West Highland Line and Glenfinnan Station’s opening in 1901.
It’s housed inside the old station building and contains interesting artefacts depicting what rural Scottish railways were like at the turn of the century.
At the far end of the platform, you can also see the original 1901 signal box and it’s open to the public in summer.
The railway station museum is open from April to October from 9 am-5 pm, Monday – Saturday and 10 am-5 pm on Sundays. A minimum entry fee is £1 per person.
8. Have lunch in the Glenfinnan Station Dining Car
Fancy grabbing a bite in a unique setting? If you’ve made it up to Glenfinnan Station, head to the Dining Car behind the museum.
It’s a historic train car which has been turned into a quirky restaurant for breakfast and lunch most days and dinner on Wednesday evenings. Inside, there are comfy booths with tables just like a vintage dining car.
The food tends to be sandwiches, soups, meat, cheeseboards, salads and baked goods with ingredients from local Scottish suppliers. You can pop in for drinks if you don’t feel like eating.
A visit to the Dining Car also gives you free entry to the Station Museum. And if you’re looking for more quirky things to do in Glenfinnan, you can stay in a 1950s retro railway carriage next door.
The Sleeping Car has three twin bunk cabins for two people (solo travellers get the whole compartment so you don’t need to share with a stranger!) and a family compartment for four guests.
It’s a hostel/bunkhouse setup with a tiny shared bathroom, kitchenette and living area. You can also book the entire carriage if you prefer the space to yourself.
9. See Glenfinnan from a cruise on Loch Shiel
What if you could see the viaduct, monument and Jacobite train along with deer and eagles? Loch Shiel Cruises runs boat tours along the length of the 18-mile Loch Shiel.
Board M.V. Sileas at Glenfinnan and spend an hour or two on a gentle cruise into the wilderness.
There’s a chance to see plenty of wildlife including red deer, golden eagles, white-tailed eagles and other birds. You might even spot the Jacobite chugging its way along the edge of the loch!
The boat carries up to 50 passengers plus there are toilets and the option to buy refreshments onboard. I recommend getting your ticket in advance to avoid missing out.
Loch Shiel Cruises operates from Glenfinnan and Acharacle so make sure you book the right boat trip departing from where you are.
You can find the pier in Glenfinnan by following the single-track Glenfinnan Pier Road and through the garden at Glenfinnan House Hotel. It’s a 15-minute walk from the visitor centre car park.
10. Admire the view from the Church of St. Mary and St. Finnan
The Church of St. Mary and St. Finnan is a small Roman Catholic church near the shores of Loch Shiel, just off the A830 road.
It was consecrated in 1873 as a memorial chapel to the MacDonalds of Glenaladale. Prince Charles Stuart stayed with this clan before he raised his standard in Glenfinnan. Members of the clan are buried here and there’s a memorial to the ‘Bonnie Prince.’
The Gothic church sits in a slightly elevated position surrounded by trees and framed by mountains. You can just about see the loch behind it. Swing by for a quick photo or have a look inside. It’s open during the day.
How to plan a trip to Glenfinnan: practical travel tips
How to get to Glenfinnan
The easiest way to get to Glenfinnan is by train. It’s on the West Highland Line and served by ScotRail which runs four times a day.
The West Highland Line goes from Glasgow to Mallaig in about five hours. I recommend you stay close to Glenfinnan the night before otherwise it’s a very long journey!
You can also drive or take the bus to Glenfinnan but again, stay nearby. The bus you would need is the 500 or 502 from Fort William, which takes about half an hour. I recommend using Traveline Scotland when travelling by public transport in Scotland.
Driving takes the same amount of time but you will need to factor in finding a place to park. Car parks in Glenfinnan are limited and busy, particularly when the Jacobite is running. You will also need to pay for parking.
The best tours of Glenfinnan
Small group tours are a great, hassle-free way to see Scotland, particularly if you’re short on time or prefer not to work out the travel logistics.
Make sure you read each tour description carefully so you know whether you’ll get to see the Jacobite steam train or not if that’s on your bucket list.
My favourite day tours to Glenfinnan are:
- From Edinburgh: Glenfinnan, Fort William, & Glencoe Day Tour
- From Edinburgh: Hogwarts Express and Scottish Highlands Tour
- From Edinburgh: Magical Highlands Tour with Hogwarts Express
- Glasgow: Glenfinnan, Mallaig and Glencoe Adventure Tour
- Glenaladale Cruise on Loch Shiel with Loch Shiel Cruises
Places to stay near Glenfinnan
I stayed in Fort William and Spean Bridge on the two separate occasions I visited Glenfinnan. Both towns are on the West Highland train line so it’s a nice and easy journey.
Fort William is just half an hour by train from Glenfinnan. It sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis (the UK’s tallest mountain) and it’s a great base for exploring the West Highlands and islands.
Since Fort William is a bigger town, you have the most accommodation options, including the budget-friendly Fort William Backpackers 10 minutes from the train station.
Spean Bridge is about an hour away by train and much smaller. I stayed at Tirindish House, a lovely B&B owned by a couple. They served a fantastic breakfast and drove me to the station the next morning.
As for places to stay in Glenfinnan, the Sleeping Car at Glenfinnan Station ticks the quirky, budget-friendly box (about £50 a night!) while Back Track Bothies offers cosy, eco-friendly glamping near Loch Shiel.
Final thoughts on the best things to do in Glenfinnan
Visitors come to Glenfinnan to catch a glimpse of the Jacobite steam train cross the viaduct but this glen is so much more.
Sitting at the top of Loch Shiel, it’s one of the most picturesque places in the West Highlands if not the whole of Scotland.
The Glenfinnan Monument is a poignant reminder of the history of the Highlands and the viaduct is an incredible feat of engineering which adds to the drama of the setting.
Add a quirky hostel, a restaurant in a dining car, museums and a Gothic church and you can easily spend a whole day (or two!) enjoying the attractions in Glenfinnan.
I hope this guide to Glenfinnan has inspired you. Come for the Jacobite train and viaduct but if you include a few other activities, you’ll appreciate its beauty even more.
Looking for more Scotland travel tips? Check out these posts!
- 10 Best Fort William Day Trips: Hikes, Castles And Epic Train Journeys
- 17 Best Places to Visit on the West Coast of Scotland
- Complete Scotland Packing List: What To Wear For Every Season
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