A Guide to Things to Do in Glenfinnan
Glenfinnan is one of the most popular stops on the Road to the Isles and not without good reason. In a relatively small area, you can find Scotland’s most important Jacobite landmarks, a famous railway viaduct, a fantastic visitor centre and views across Loch Shiel.
Most people tend to make a fairly short visit here ,and often combined with a drive to Mallaig or Skye or a detour from Fort William, but you can also easily spend several hours or even stay overnight to make the most of it.
It can get very busy, especially in summer and around train times, so it’s best to plan ahead. Read on to find out all the things to do in Glenfinnan.
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Map of Glenfinnan Sights
You can use this map to see where the various sights in Glenfinnan are to plan your visit.
Visit Glenfinnan Monument
The Glenfinnan Monument stands 60 feet tall at the head of Loch Shiel, with the surrounding hills providing a dramatic backdrop. It was erected in 1815 to honour the clansmen who fought and died for the Jacobite cause in 1745. At the top, a lone Highlander looks out over the loch in their memory.
The monument marks the spot where Bonnie Prince Charlie is said to have raised his standard at the start of the Jacobite Rising. As well as being a historically important site, it’s one of the best viewpoints in the area, with wide, open views across Loch Shiel and over to the hills on the other side.
To go inside and to the top, you can buy tickets at the Visitor Centre but in peak season, you might want to book in advance. An adult ticket is £5 on site with various concessions available and an advance ticket can be bought at a slightly higher rate at Eventbrite. Spaces are limited and only six people are allowed at a time.
To visit the monument, park in the main car park next to the Visitor Centre. Monument opening times are usually between 11 am and 12.30 pm and 2 and 4 pm.
Top-rated day tours including Glenfinnan from:
🚌 Edinburgh with The Hairy Coo (4.7*)
🚐 Glasgow with Stewarts Tours (4.9*)
🚂 Edinburgh with steam train ride with Gray Line (4.5*)
See the Glenfinnan Viaduct
On the opposite side of the road, the Glenfinnan Viaduct stretches across the glen and the River Finnan. Built in the late 19th century, it’s an impressive piece of engineering, with 21 arches curving through the landscape. It’s also recently undergone major maintenance work.
It was already well known long before it appeared in the Harry Potter films, but that has definitely added to its popularity in recent years. These days, it’s one of the busiest photography spots in the Highlands, particularly when the Jacobite steam train passes over it.
You can get a decent view from ground level but most people head up the Viaduct Trail. This leads to a small hill on the northern side of the viaduct and the view that you most often see in photos. You can also get onto it from the railway station.
The path is fairly short and manageable for most people, although it can be uneven in places. Don’t expect to have it all to yourself though! It can get busy.
If you’re not interested in seeing the train, avoid those times and go when it’s a bit less busy. There are plenty of other places to see the train. See some great spots on my post here 🔗
I’ve been up the small hill at the back of the Visitor Centre which is a shorter walk and a bit quieter and got a nice view from there.
If you want to see the steam train, make sure first to check that it’s actually running as there are ongoing issues, then check the timetable in advance and arrive early to get a good spot (and a parking space.) Even without the train, the view from the top is worth the short climb.
Best Viewpoints of the Viaduct
We’ve already mentioned a few viewpoints – the hill behind the viaduct, the hill behind the visitor centre and the monument but another great one is on the train itself.
You don’t need to book the steam train for this. Just book the normal Scotrail train. It does the same journey with the exact same views for a fraction of the price. See more here 🔗
Yet another excellent viewpoint is along the path that starts behind the Dining Car Cafe and you’ll find it along there. You can also see over to Loch Shiel.
Click here to get your free Glenfinnan checklist and map
Explore the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre
The exhibitions focus on the 1745 Jacobite Rising and the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie. If you have time but not much background knowledge, it’s worth going before visiting the monument so you’ll have a better understanding once you get there and will be able to envisage it all.
There’s also a gift shop, two cafes and toilets in the centre. The Monument Cafe is in the Visitor Centre and the Viaduct Cafe is a short walk away and has only outdoor seating. It is open during the summer months.
A new bigger car park has improved the parking situation but it can still fill up quickly so it’s worth arriving as early as possible in peak season.
Opening times from May to October are 9:30 am to 6:30 pm with earlier closing times the rest of the year. It is closed from late December to late March. Entrance is free.
Visit Glenfinnan Station and Museum
Further up the road from the visitor centre, we always enjoy the 125-year-old Glenfinnan Station. A small museum in the station building tells the history of West Highland Railway. You can visit the old station-keeper’s room and see the original equipment. Look out for the signal box too further down the platform.
Try to time your visits for the Jacobite steam train coming into the station for some great shots and to see it up close. It usually stops for 10-20 minutes.
Parking is limited and it can be difficult to manoeuvre in the small space, so it’s better to walk up from the Visitor Centre.
Glenfinnan Station Dining Car Cafe (and Sleeper Carriage)
Next to the station is the Dining Car Cafe – a converted, old railway carriage. We like to stop off here for lunch or a snack. If you eat here, you can get free entry to the museum, so do this first and make sure to ask for your ticket.
There’s also a small shop at the back which sells delicious Scottish ice-cream so look out for that too.
Next to the dining car is a sleeper carriage and if you’re looking for something a bit different, you can book yourself a berth for the night. Tap here for more info 🔗
See the Jacobite Steam Train
If you time your visit right, you can see the Jacobite steam train arrive at or depart from the station.
It runs seasonally, roughly April to October, and draws a lot of visitors, so it’s worth checking the timetable in advance. You can watch it from the platform, or head slightly further along the road for a quieter viewing spot.
If you’re planning your day around it, have a look at my guide on where to see the Jacobite steam train for the best viewpoints 🔗
Please note that there are have been major disruptions over the last years so check if it’s actually running.
Take a Boat Trip on Loch Shiel
If you’ve got a bit more time, a boat trip on Loch Shiel is one of the best ways to see Glenfinnan from a different angle.
From the water, you get glorious views of the surrounding landscape and back towards the monument, and along the length of the loch. It’s also a quieter, more relaxed experience compared to the main viewpoints, especially on busy days.
Trips run seasonally, so maybe check the schedules and availability ahead of your visit. If you’re continuing on towards Mallaig afterwards, it can be a good way to break up the drive.
Book ahead for a two-hour cruise on Loch Shiel with stunning views 🔗
Go for a Walk in Glenfinnan
While many people stop briefly and move on, Glenfinnan is also a good base for walking. There are a few easy options around the monument and along the edge of Loch Shiel, which are manageable for most visitors and don’t require much planning.
For the Dragonfly Trail and Callop Viewpoint Trail, see more details here.
For a bit of a longer walk, you can do the Viaduct Route. This is an ideal one to do to take in most of the sights as you’ll pass the viaduct, the Railway Station and Museum, Dining Car and St Mary & St Finnan Church and then you can end at the monument. It also passes Glenfinnan House Hotel. See full details here.
For the adventurous and experienced walkers, there is a multi-day route linking Glenfinnan to Knoydart. These are remote, tough walks and need proper preparation.
If you’re planning anything beyond a short walk, you might want to pick up OS Explorer Map 40, which covers Glenfinnan, Mallaig and the surrounding area.
Visit St Mary & St Finnan Church
A little bit further on from the visitor centre, towards the train station, is St Mary & St Finnan Church. The late 19th century Catholic church is small but its Gothic Revival architecture, stained glass windows and tranquillity make it worth visiting if you’re interested in old churches and have time.
It sits back from the road, overlooking Loch Shiel and hidden by trees, so it’s easily missed. The adjacent graveyard is where some of the local supporters of Bonnie Prince Charlie were laid to rest.
The church is open to visitors and although there is a small car park where you can park for up to an hour, it’s often busy with people who aren’t actually visiting it. A weekly mass is held early on Sunday afternoons.
Annual Events at Glenfinnan
The Loch Shiel Music Festival takes place for a few days in May and the Highland Games is on the third Saturday of August.
Practical Tips for Visiting Glenfinnan
Parking is only allowed in allocated areas. The main car park is next to the visitor centre. Roadside parking is not permitted and can be dangerous, as well as likely to result in a fine.
It gets very busy in summer, particularly around the times when the Jacobite steam train passes. If you want a quieter experience, aim for early morning or later in the afternoon.
Sadly, not all drivers or pedestrians and careful or considerate and it can get a bit hairy around there. Drive carefully, look out for pedestrians stepping out into the road without looking and cars illegally parked and blocking road views and lanes. Park in allocated spaces only and take care crossing roads.
Most people spend around one to two hours here but you could easily stay longer if you add a walk or a boat trip.
Facilities, including toilets and cafés, are available at the visitor centre. There is also a water top-up station outside.
And as with most places in the Highlands, the weather can change quickly, so bring an extra layer even on a bright sunny day.
You might encounter midges depending on the weather so taking along a Smidge spray is recommended and ticks are on the increase, so using a tick repellent is also a good idea and carry a tick removal card or kit. Both should be available from local chemists (pharmacy/drug store) and often at petrol stations and I recommend keeping these with you throughout your travels in the area.
How to Get to Glenfinnan
Glenfinnan is on the A830, also known as the Road to the Isles, between Fort William and Mallaig.
If you’re driving, it’s a nice scenic route and often included as part of a day trip or longer journey west. It does get busy on the Fort William-Glenfinnan stretch though with lots of drivers who are not used to driving in Scotland, so take extra care.
You can also reach Glenfinnan by train on the West Highland Line, which stops at the station nearby. If you’re not taking the Jacobite steam train, there are regular services that follow the same route.
You can also get a bus with Shiel Buses from Fort William Mallaig train station with various stops along the way. In 2025, a shuttle bus was available from Fort William during peak season and that would be a great option if you’re just doing a short trip from there.
As an added bonus, according to the National Trust website, you can get a free hot drink in the Visitor Centre cafe if you show your bus or train ticket.
Where to Stay Near Glenfinnan
If you want to stay in Glenfinnan, you’ll most likely need to be book well ahead. Here are some options to look at.
- Stage House Bed & Breakfast (Booking Rating: 9.5)
- Glenfinnan House Hotel (Booking Rating 8.9)
- The Armoury Holiday Home (Booking Rating 9.6)
- Loch Tro Chraobhan Holiday Home (Booking rating 9.5)
- No. 4 Loch Shiel Holiday Home (Booking Rating 9.4)
- Camus Slatach Lochside Holiday Home (Vrbo Rating 10)
- Back Track Bothies cosy cabins (Google rating 5)
- Craigag Lodge Bed & Breakfast (Google Rating 4.7)
You can also see what’s available for your dates and in the wider area on the map further down. You could combine a visit to Glenfinnan with a stay in Arisaig, Mallaig, Fort William and parts of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula.
Wrap-up on Glenfinnan
Glenfinnan might well be a tiny spot on a map but there’s plenty to see and do between the monument, the viaduct, the visitor centre, dining car and the views across Loch Shiel and definitely worth adding to your Highland itinerary.
It’s worth doing a bit of planning to make the most out of your visit. Arrive early, check train times if that’s on your list and give yourself a bit more time than you think you’ll need.
Happy exploring!
Get your free downloadable Glenfinnan checklist and map here.
What to read next – Great Places to visit on the way to Mallaig and Skye
Still looking for somewhere to stay? See availability in the area on the map below and zoom out if needed.
Top-rated day tours including Glenfinnan from:
🚌 Edinburgh with The Hairy Coo (4.7*)
🚐 Glasgow with Stewarts Tours (4.9*)
🚂 Edinburgh with steam train ride with Gray Line (4.5*)
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