Trackside Prints

The Glenfinnan Viaduct, and where to watch the train cross.

The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a curving row of 21 concrete arches on the line to Mallaig, opened in 1901, and the Jacobite steam train crosses it twice on every trip in the season. This guide covers what it is, when trains cross, the viewpoint and paths, and how to photograph it without going near the track.

A curve of concrete, built in 1901

Historic Environment Scotland keeps it on its Category A list and records 21 concrete arches set on a curve, opened in 1901, with a length of 416 yards (Historic Environment Scotland, read 21 October 2026). The Highland Historic Environment Record names the builders as the Glasgow firm of Robert McAlpine and Sons (Highland HER), and West Coast Railways adds that he was “known ever after as Concrete Bob” (West Coast Railways).

Network Rail puts it at approximately 100 feet high, built in mass concrete, and says it took about four years to build and cost just £18,904 (Network Rail). The same list entry calls it “The longest concrete viaduct in Scotland.”

A black steam locomotive numbered 45407 hauling maroon carriages across the concrete arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, a big white plume of steam behind it
45407 on the viaduct with the Jacobite. Photo: Eric Kilby, CC BY-SA 4.0
A steam train with red carriages curving across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, autumn hills and a bright cloudy sky behind.
Photo: Daniel Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0

Which trains cross it, and when

The viaduct carries the West Highland Extension, which opened from Fort William to Mallaig in 1901 (list entry). In 2026 the Jacobite’s morning train runs from Mon 1 June to Fri 23 October, leaving Fort William at 10:15 (West Coast Railways, read 21 October 2026). The station museum says the steam train passes over the viaduct at approximately 10.45am and 3.10pm (Glenfinnan Station Museum).

The National Trust for Scotland says the train crosses on its way to and from Mallaig, “so you have two chances to see each journey”, and that times vary by day and are shown in its visitor centre (NTS planning page, read 21 October 2026). Out of season, it says, you will still see a train crossing the Viaduct several times a day.

Where to see it from

The Trust suggests heading to the viewpoint above the visitor centre car park for the full view. To see it from underneath, there is a 15-min flat walk beside the River Finnan from the car parks, and you can add a 10-min climb up the hillside path. The longer loop takes 60 to 90 minutes, with some steps, and the Trust warns it may be slippery (NTS viaduct page).

If you come by train, the Trust describes a 2km walk to the viaduct along a hillside path from the station, then on to the visitor centre. Car parking near the visitor centre costs £5, free for members (NTS), and the Trust asks drivers to “only park in marked bays and consider arriving by bus or train” (NTS Glenfinnan).

A steam train on the curved Glenfinnan Viaduct seen from the hillside above, green summer hills and woods around it
The whole curve, seen from the hillside. Photo: S. Perquin, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photographing the viaduct

Stay on the paths. Network Rail is blunt that trespassing on the railway is a criminal offence and applies to tracks, the viaduct and surrounding railway land, and that anyone caught can be removed, fined and taken to court. It points people to the dedicated paths and viewing points instead. The Trust asks the same, partly to protect the ground and partly, it says, to save you muddy feet.

A curve like this rewards a wide frame with the hills in it, and the steam shows best on a cold morning. Bring the best one home and we will print it on paper, canvas, metal or wood, the way you took it or in one of our studio styles.

Sources: Network Rail safety reminder, 30 June 2026; National Trust for Scotland (read 21 October 2026).

Written by Craig Fearn, Trackside Prints. Last updated .

Questions, answered

How many arches are there on the Glenfinnan Viaduct?
There are 21, all concrete, set on a curve. The listing gives its length as 416 yards.
Who built the Glenfinnan Viaduct?
The Glasgow firm of Robert McAlpine and Sons, according to the Highland Historic Environment Record. West Coast Railways says McAlpine was known ever after as Concrete Bob.
What time does the Jacobite cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct?
The station museum gives approximately 10.45am and 3.10pm. The National Trust for Scotland says times vary by day and are shown in its visitor centre.
Do trains still run on the Glenfinnan Viaduct?
Yes. It carries the line to Mallaig, and the Trust says you will still see a train crossing several times a day in winter.
Where is the best viewpoint for the Glenfinnan Viaduct?
The National Trust for Scotland points to the viewpoint above its visitor centre car park, with a flat riverside walk if you want to see it from below.
The long row of stone arches of the Ribblehead Viaduct across open moorland under a clear blue sky, a train on top.Read nextThe Ribblehead ViaductPhoto: DS Pugh, CC BY-SA 2.0