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| Jacobite Steam Train going over the Glenfinnan Viaduct |
We set out this morning to Fort Williams to start our journey on the Harry Potter Train. No, it's not called the Harry Potter Train but everyone knows it as the train that was featured in some of the Harry Pottery movies. The real name is called the Jacobite Steam Train. This train is so popular that it is fully booked every day. In the summer it runs twice a day and still, it's fully booked. Many travelers showed up without booking in advance and are often disappointed that they can't get on the train. I was lucky. Going with Highland Explorer means that they pre-booked the train. The cost of the ride is about 30 pounds (about $45).
We started from Fort Williams, which is about an hour from Oban. Our train started at about 10:15 am and we arrived in Mallaig at about noon. It's about a 41-mile journey. Mallaig is also the ferry terminal for us to take a ferry to the Isle of Skye, our next destination.
Many of the passengers are part of tour groups and many of them are fairly old. I'd expect younger passengers but I think most of them are still in school or colleges. Perhaps in the summer there will be more younger passengers.
The train ride itself is not very comfortable compared to some of the more modern trains that I've been on. This is an old steam-engine train that is being kept for sentimental reasons. It is a big money maker for the British Railways and the Scottish Government. Many tourists come here just to ride this train and get the opportunity to see the Scottish Highlands.
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| Train getting ready to go |
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| Shoveling coal to get ready |
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| Poster advertising the Jacobite Train |
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| Fire is ready to produce steam |
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| Proud Engineer in the engine compartment |
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| Souvenir Car |
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| Bagpiper entertaining the riders at Glenfinnan |
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| Mid-way stop at Glenfinnan |
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| The train passes through some beautiful scenery |
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| Other travelers waving and admiring the train |
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| Passenger Car |
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| Town center of Mallaig, our destination |
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| Fishing boats in Mallaig |
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| Mallaig train station |
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