I grew up with Harry Potter, so catching the real-life Hogwarts Express felt like stepping straight into the movie.
There are two timings to spot the train, and we went for the morning one. It took us about an hour drive to get there from Glencoe Inn. We arrived an hour early just to snag a parking lot at the Glenfinnan Monument Parking. There’s a souvenir shop and cafe too.
By the time we trekked up the hill, the area was already buzzing with people setting up tripods and chairs. Luckily, we brought our foldable chairs, so we could camp out comfortably while waiting.
At around 10:15 am, everyone stood up, phones ready, hearts pounding. A distant rumble, a puff of steam, and there it was. The Hogwarts Express slowed to a stop before the viaduct, blew a proud whistle, and then glided across the curve like a scene out of Chamber of Secrets. The crowd gasped and cheered, and for a brief moment, it really did feel like we were all kids again watching magic come to life in the middle of the Scottish Highlands.
Here’s a short video I caught on my Insta360! This place is definitely worth a trip for Harry Potter fans!
