The incredibly famous 123-year-old viaduct getting a £3.4m facelift

Glenfinnan Viaduct is located on the West Highland Line in Glenfinnan, Inverness-shire, Scotland, and was opened in 1901 after four years of construction.

Spanning across 1000ft with 21 arches, it is the longest mass concrete rail bridge in Scotland, carrying the daily ScotRail service and Jacobite Steam Train services from Fort William to Mallaig.

Network Rail is currently doing work on the viaduct, costing a major £3.4 million to improve its structure and the ground under the track as well as the stones in the track bed.

Laura Craig, a scheme project manager at Network Rail, said earlier this year: “The viaduct is an iconic landmark which attracts visitors from across the world, so we’ve worked hard to develop a solution which will help preserve the structure, respect its historic significance while minimising the visual impact of our work.”

She also shared that the work would not change the appearance of the beloved structure that appeared in the 2002’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets film.

She said: “Years of planning have gone into this project. The work will not have a massive visual impact on the way the viaduct looks, and that’s very deliberate, with it being grade A listed.”

The rail company is working with the local landowner, Highland Council, to make sure work is being carried out as sensitively as possible.

To ensure minimal disruption, the team is using a rope access system, meaning they can work on the viaduct while it remains in full view for those visiting. 

Highland Council’s economy and infrastructure chairman, Ken Gowans, said: “The scenic rail journey has become a hugely popular route between Fort William and Mallaig. 

“It is very popular with Harry Potter fans and attracts visitors from across the world. 

“In addition, it also provides a valued service to those living and working in the communities it passes through, so it is essential that repair works and works to safeguard the route’s future are carried out.”