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In today’s email:
- End of the line for the Harry Potter Train?
- The Caledonian Luxury Overnight Sleeper Train From Scotland to England
- Collect your gift! – A Free Digital Copy Of The Ultimate Scotland Travel Guide
- Around the Web: Lifting We went to Edinburgh Poundland and tried to do our Christmas shopping for a tenner, Robert Burns’ Glasgow in 6 pictures: Every spot that influenced Rabbie Burns, Lifting The Kilt To The Scottish Highlands and more
- From Social Media – St Kilda
- Scottish Food You Will Love – Historical, Catch & Forage CAMPFIRE COOKINGCoo Wee – What Does A Scotsman Wear Under His Kilt
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What the Jacobite Steam Train Guides Don’t Mention
The Jacobite — the real “Hogwarts Express” — is one of Scotland’s most iconic experiences. But the reality of booking, riding, and photographing it involves details that the glossy marketing conveniently omits.
- Tickets sell out months in advance — book as soon as they’re released. The Jacobite runs April to October with limited seats. Summer dates can sell out 3-4 months ahead. Check westcoastrailways.co.uk for release dates and book immediately. Last-minute tickets in July simply don’t exist.
- The Glenfinnan Viaduct is better photographed FROM the ground than from the train. From inside the train, you can’t see the viaduct. From the Glenfinnan Monument viewpoint below, you get the iconic shot of the steam train crossing the 21 arches. Drive to Glenfinnan, climb to the viewpoint, and photograph the train passing overhead.
- Second class is a better experience than first class. First class has reserved seats and table service, but the carriages are older and the windows are smaller. Second class carriages have larger windows and more of the bustling atmosphere that makes a steam train special. Save the price difference for lunch in Mallaig.
- The regular ScotRail train offers the same views for a fraction of the cost. If the Jacobite is sold out or too expensive, the daily ScotRail service from Glasgow to Mallaig crosses the same viaduct, passes the same lochs, and costs under £40 return. You lose the steam and the nostalgia, but the scenery is identical.
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End of the line for the Harry Potter Train?
A judgement on the judicial review is expected in January.
The Caledonian Luxury Overnight Sleeper Train From Scotland to England
Collect your gift!
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Get Your Free Digital Copy Of The Ultimate Scotland Travel Guide
Around The Web
New Edinburgh Street food vendor with epic slow cooked bone-in rib sandwiches
Brrr-ace yourselves: Sub-zero scenes in Scotland
Scotland’s best pizzeria announced as authentic Neapolitan venue wins top Italian Award
Man becomes first Scot to win European Adventurer of the Year
Mark Agnew broke two world records when he kayaked the Arctic Ocean’s Northwest Passage.
Take a look inside Edinburgh’s luxury W Hotel at St James Quarter as it opens
Edinburgh restaurants: Gordon Ramsay’s festive fundraiser returns to his Edinburgh restaurants
The 10 snowiest cities in the UK revealed by the Met Office – and where Edinburgh ranks
Edinburgh is the frostiest city in the UK – and also one of the snowiest, according to new figures.
How to eat your way through Edinburgh
We went to Edinburgh Poundland and tried to do our Christmas shopping for a tenner
Hotel giant to hand out FREE festive pyjamas to Glasgow guests
Robert Burns’ Glasgow in 6 pictures: Every spot that influenced Rabbie Burns
Lifting The Kilt To The Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands, a land of rugged beauty and enchanting mystique, beckons adventurers to embark on a journey like no other.
Situated in the northern reaches of Scotland, this awe-inspiring region boasts a landscape that oscillates between dramatic mountains, serene lochs and ancient standing stones.
As we lift the metaphorical kilt to unveil the treasures hidden within this magnificent corner of the world, we will explore a tapestry of history, culture and natural wonder that defines the Scottish Highlands. From the legendary Eilean Donan Castle to the mystical Trotternish Ridge on the Isle of Skye, the Highlands offer a rich blend of experiences that captivate the imagination and leave an indelible mark on all who venture here.
Glasgow bike hire scheme passes 2.5m journeys amid record high of usage
From Social Media
Scottish Food You Will Love
Historical, Catch & Forage CAMPFIRE COOKING
Coo Wee
The Mysterious World Of The Celtic Gods
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Our Daily Newsletter is free and will remain free for our loyal followers forever.. (if you are not subscribed then just enter your email below) But as they say in the infomercials, that’s not all.. For less than the price of a wee dram, you can upgrade to our premium Newsletter which will give you access to our archive of travel deep dives, travel itineraries as well as special deals curated for our premium subscribers. So consider buying us a drink and upgrade to get all the goodies….
Essentials you need to pack for your Scotland Trip
UK Ireland Scotland Power Adapter Plug, TESSAN Type G Travel Adaptor with 2 USB Charger Ports 2 American Outlets, US to London England British Hong Kong Irish Kenya Dubai Qatar Wall Adapter When you’re ready to plan your trip to Scotland, our Scotland trip planning guide is the perfect place to start.
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A Traveller’s Perspective
The Jacobite steam train — the one that doubled as the Hogwarts Express — runs from Fort William to Mallaig along one of the most scenic railway lines in the world. Whether or not you care about Harry Potter, this journey is worth making. The viaduct at Glenfinnan, the views over Loch Shiel, the approach into Mallaig with the islands stretching out before you — it is a genuinely special experience.
Book well in advance. The Jacobite runs from April to October and sells out quickly, especially in summer. The morning departure from Fort William is the most popular. Sit on the right-hand side heading west for the best views of Glenfinnan Viaduct from inside the train. The return journey gives you a couple of hours in Mallaig — enough time for fish and chips at the harbour and a walk along the waterfront before the train back.
As the train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the carriage fills with the sound of cameras clicking and people pressing against the windows. Below, Loch Shiel stretches away into the distance, dark and still. The steam from the locomotive drifts past the windows. Children are wide-eyed. Adults are grinning. For a few minutes, everyone on the train is sharing the same moment of wonder, and it does not matter whether you are a Harry Potter fan or not.
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