NM9081 : The Top of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scottish Highlands
taken 3 years ago, near to Glenfinnan, Highland, Scotland
The Top of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scottish Highlands
The Glenfinnan viaduct carries the West Highland Line over the River Finnan, near the head of Loch Shiel. It was built at the end of the 19th Century.
The viaduct, built on a curve, is formed of 21 arches. It is built from concrete, a very early use of this material and a notable feat of engineering at the time.
The viaduct is one of the scenic highlights of the train journey from Fort William to Mallaig, giving views over the Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel. As well as local diesel trains operated by ScotRail, the "Jacobite" steam trains operate across the viaduct during the summer months.
Glenfinnan viaduct has featured in a number of films, notably the Harry Potter series, and also on Scottish banknotes.
NM9181 : Glen Finnan viaduct When this viaduct was built there was an outcry; one person wrote of "the desecration of so historic and beautiful a spot as Glenfinnan by so ugly and commonplace a structure as a railway viaduct."