Key Points
Nine major Harry Potter filming locations are all within 40 minutes of Highwinds Lodge. The Glenfinnan Viaduct is the headline attraction, but Steall Falls and Glencoe are equally dramatic and far less crowded. The Jacobite Steam Train (the real Hogwarts Express) departs from Fort William book well in advance as it sells out months ahead. You can visit every location on this list in a single day trip from the lodge.
The Scottish Highlands played a starring role in the Harry Potter films. The production team used the mountains, lochs, and valleys around Fort William and Lochaber as the backdrop for Hogwarts and its grounds across multiple movies and almost all of those locations are within easy reach of the lodge.
This guide covers every major filming location you can visit from Fort William, with the specific scenes filmed at each, how to get there. Whether you're a lifelong Potter fan or just looking for a spectacular day out in the Highlands, these are some of the most beautiful spots in Scotland and half the fun is that most visitors drive straight past them without knowing what they're looking at.
Harry Potter Filming Locations Map
Glenfinnan Viaduct - The Hogwarts Express Bridge
The Glenfinnan Viaduct is probably the single most recognisable filming location from the entire Harry Potter series. This magnificent 21-arch railway bridge, curving across the valley above Loch Shiel, appears in three of the films as the Hogwarts Express steams towards school.
It features most memorably in Chamber of Secrets when Harry and Ron fly the Ford Anglia alongside the train and nearly crash into the viaduct and again in Prisoner of Azkaban when the Dementors stop the Hogwarts Express mid-journey. It also appears briefly in Goblet of Fire.
The viaduct is free to visit (although there is a parking charge) and there's a well-marked viewpoint with parking at the Glenfinnan Viaduct Viewpoint car park. The best spot is a 10-minute walk uphill from the car park.
The Jacobite Steam Train crosses the viaduct twice daily during the season (roughly April–October). The morning crossing heading to Mallaig is between 10:45 and 11:00am, and the afternoon return is between 1:20 and 1:40pm. The exact time varies by schedule changes and speed. Arrive at the carpark at least an hour and a half early, as it gets very busy in summer. and you will get turned away. The best way to get to Glenfinnan is via the ScotRail train (you also get a free hot drink at the visitor centre with a valid train ticket.) The morning crossing is more popular; the afternoon return is quieter and you'll often have more room.
It's worth getting there early to hunt for the best spot. Everyone congregates at the lower platform, but if you continue uphill for another two minutes past the main viewpoint, there's a higher vantage that gives you the full curve of the viaduct with Loch Shiel in the background. Or to escape the big crowds go under the Viaduct and carry on to a little mound called Tom Dubh.
The Jacobite Steam Train - Ride the Hogwarts Express
The Jacobite is the real steam locomotive that was used as the Hogwarts Express in all of the Harry Potter films. West Coast Railways provided Warner Brothers with the train and allowed them to use the Fort William to Mallaig route for filming. You can ride the exact same train on the exact same tracks.
The 84-mile round trip runs from Fort William to the fishing village of Mallaig, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct along the way. The journey takes about two hours each way, passing alongside Loch Eil, through Glenfinnan, and along the coast past some of the most stunning scenery in Scotland.
Sit on the left-hand side of the train (when facing the direction of travel to Mallaig) for the best views of the viaduct and Loch Shiel. The right-hand side offers better coastal views later in the journey. If you can, book first class — the compartments are more atmospheric and you'll get window seats guaranteed.
Glencoe - Hagrid's Hut and Hogwarts Grounds
Glencoe is one of Scotland's most dramatic landscapes. A valley of towering peaks, waterfalls, and moody skies and it doubled as the Hogwarts grounds in Prisoner of Azkaban.
In the spring of 2003, three full film sets were built on the hillside above the Clachaig Inn near the bottom of Clachaig Gully: Hagrid's Hut (complete with pumpkin patch and smoking chimney), the Sundial Garden, and the Hogwarts Covered Bridge (the 'Bridge to Nowhere'). The sets were positioned to take in the views over Torren Lochan and the Signal Rock forest towards the rugged hills of the glen.
The sets were removed after filming and the hillside returned to its natural state, but you can still walk to the exact spot where Hagrid's Hut stood. From the Clachaig Inn car park, it's about a 6-minute walk uphill and fans will instantly recognise the mountain backdrop from the films.
A detail that tends to delight Potter fans: during filming, security guards were posted around the pumpkin patch set to prevent locals from getting too close. The Clachaig Inn became the unofficial canteen for the crew, and regulars at the bar found themselves drinking alongside extras still in Hogwarts robes.
Glencoe is spectacular in any weather, but it's at its moodiest (and most Hogwarts-like) on an overcast day with low cloud clinging to the peaks. If you get a grey day during your visit, that's actually the best day to come here. The Three Sisters viewpoint in the rain looks exactly like a scene from the films.
Steall Falls - The Triwizard Tournament Waterfall
Steall Falls (An Steall Bàn — 'The White Spout') is Scotland's second-highest waterfall at 120 metres, and it featured prominently across multiple Harry Potter films. It's most recognisable from Goblet of Fire the waterfall and surrounding Glen Nevis landscape formed the backdrop for the Triwizard Tournament arena where Harry battles the Hungarian Horntail dragon.
The falls also appear in the background of Quidditch scenes across several films, including Harry catching the Golden Snitch in Philosopher's Stone, the aerial duel with Draco in Chamber of Secrets, and Ron's Quidditch tryouts in Half-Blood Prince.
The walk to Steall Falls starts at the Glen Nevis car park (at the end of the Glen Nevis road). It's about 45 minutes each way through the dramatic Nevis Gorge. A narrow, wooded canyon with the river thundering below. The path is well-maintained but rocky in places, so proper footwear is essential.
If you set off before 9am, you'll have the gorge almost to yourself. It's one of the most beautiful short walks in Scotland and well worth an early start. The falls are at their most impressive after rain, which in the Highlands means most of the time.
At the falls, you'll see a wire rope bridge crossing the river. It's an exciting challenge if you're feeling brave (and have a head for heights), but there's a perfectly good viewpoint on the near side. For the best photograph, stay on the near bank and shoot the falls with the meadow in the foreground. That's the composition that matches the film angle.
Loch Shiel - The Black Lake
Loch Shiel is the long, narrow loch stretching away from the Glenfinnan Monument and it served as the Black Lake (Hogwarts Lake) in several films. You'll recognise it immediately if you've seen the wide shots of the lake beside the castle.
In Prisoner of Azkaban, this is where Harry flies Buckbeak across the water, skimming the surface. In Goblet of Fire, the Durmstrang ship rises dramatically from beneath the water of Loch Shiel, and the second Triwizard task, where the champions dive to rescue something precious was set here. It also appears in Half-Blood Prince as the lake Harry and Hermione look across from the Astronomy Tower.
The best viewpoint is from the Glenfinnan Monument at the head of the loch. There's a National Trust for Scotland visitor centre with parking, and you can walk out to the monument itself for an unobstructed view down the full length of the loch. Time your visit with the viaduct and you can see two filming locations in one stop.
Loch Eilt - Dumbledore's Grave
At the far end of Loch Eilt, you'll find a small tree-covered island called Eilean na Moine. This is the island chosen as the site of Dumbledore's grave in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. Director David Yates chose this island for its haunting, isolated beauty shots from Loch Eilt and nearby Loch Arkaig were blended together in post-production to create the final scene.
Loch Eilt also provided some of the wider shots used for the Black Lake in earlier films, alongside Loch Shiel and Loch Morar. If you've seen the sweeping aerial views of a vast, mountain-ringed loch in the films, chances are you're looking at one of these three.
The loch is viewable from a lay-by on the A830 road between Glenfinnan and Lochailort. There's limited parking just a small pull-off on the roadside but it's worth the stop. You can see the island clearly from the road, and on a still day the reflection on the water is extraordinary. Be mindful that you’re on an A road here and drive sensibly.
If you look very carefully at a large tree near the island's eastern shore, fans have carved a Deathly Hallows symbol into the bark though please don't add to it, as the island's ecosystem is fragile.
Loch Arkaig - The Dragon Escape
Loch Arkaig is a secluded freshwater loch just north of Fort William, surrounded by one of Scotland's last remaining fragments of native Caledonian pinewood. It was used for the wide shots of the dragon escape scene in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 where Harry, Ron, and Hermione flee Gringotts Bank on the back of a Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon and crash-land by a remote loch.
The loch is 12 miles long and beautifully remote. Getting there involves a single-track road from the Caledonian Canal at Gairlochy. It's a drive that feels like stepping back in time. The pine forests along the shore are home to red squirrels and pine martens, and the loch itself is wonderfully peaceful. This is one of those locations where you genuinely feel like you could be in the wizarding world.
Loch Arkaig is also home to a famous pair of ospreys that nest here each spring. The Woodland Trust runs a live nest camera check their website for updates. If you visit between April and August, you may spot them fishing over the loch.
Loch Etive - The Horcrux Campsite
Loch Etive is the dramatic sea loch at the southern end of Glencoe, and it appears in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 as one of the locations where Harry, Ron, and Hermione camp while on the run hunting Horcruxes. The distinctive rocky shoreline and brooding mountains of Glen Etive provided the backdrop for several of the trio's camping scenes.
The single-track road down Glen Etive from the A82 is one of the most spectacular drives in Scotland. 12 miles of empty valley with red deer on the hillside and the River Etive rushing alongside. The road ends at the head of Loch Etive, where you'll find the atmospheric shoreline used in filming. James Bond fans will also recognise this valley from the Skyfall chase sequence.
Glen Etive is wilder and quieter than Glencoe, and it's particularly beautiful at sunrise or sunset when the light hits the surrounding mountains. Combine it with a visit to Glencoe the turn-off for Glen Etive is right at the top of the glen near the Kingshouse.
Corrour Station and Rannoch Moor - The Death Eaters Stop the Train
Rannoch Moor is a vast, boggy wilderness south of Glencoe. One of the last truly wild landscapes in Britain and it's where the Death Eaters stop the Hogwarts Express mid-journey in Deathly Hallows Part 1. The wide shot shows the train crossing the desolate moor before dark figures descend from the sky to search the carriages.
The most atmospheric way to experience Rannoch Moor is from Corrour Station. Britain's most remote railway station, sitting at 1,347 feet with no road access whatsoever. Stepping off the train here, surrounded by nothing but moor and mountains, is about as close to the Hogwarts Express experience as it gets.
Corrour is also a Trainspotting filming location. The 'it's s**** being Scottish' scene was shot here and the starting point for walks to Loch Ossian and some of Scotland's remotest Munros. If you're visiting Rannoch Moor by car rather than train, you can see it from lay-bys on the A82 between Bridge of Orchy and Glencoe, or drive to Rannoch Station (the second-most remote station in Britain, which does have road access).
For an unforgettable experience, take the ScotRail train from Fort William to Corrour (about 1 hour), spend a few hours walking to Loch Ossian and back, then catch the return train. You'll cross Rannoch Moor twice and see the landscape from exactly the angle shown in the film. Check ScotRail timetables carefully there are only a few services each day.
Glen Nevis - Hogwarts Grounds Wide Shots
The valley of Glen Nevis the dramatic glen at the base of Ben Nevis was used for several of the wide establishing shots of the Hogwarts grounds throughout the film series. The valley's combination of waterfalls, meadows, and mountain backdrops made it ideal for CGI compositing, and the production team returned here across multiple films.
Glen Nevis is also where you'll find the starting point for the Steall Falls walk (listed above). The lower glen has easy, flat walks along the river that are suitable for all abilities, while the upper glen leads through the dramatic Nevis Gorge to the falls. If you're not up for the full Steall Falls walk, the lower glen is still worth a visit. It's beautiful and effortless.
We have a full guide to walks in Glen Nevis and around Fort William - see our easy walks near Fort William guide for more options.
Loch Morar - Britain's Deepest Loch and the Black Lake
Loch Morar is the deepest freshwater loch in Britain. Over 1,000 feet deep and it contributed establishing shots for the Black Lake in several Harry Potter films. Its vast, glassy surface surrounded by hills made it a natural double for the Hogwarts lake, and shots from Loch Morar were composited together with footage from Loch Shiel and Loch Eilt in post-production.
The loch is a bit further afield than the other locations on this list (about an hour from Fort William), but it's a stunning destination in its own right. The eastern end is accessible by road, and there are walking trails along the northern shore. Loch Morar is also said to be home to its own monster. Morag, predating the Loch Ness Monster legends by centuries.
Loch Morar is best combined with a visit to the beaches between Morar and Arisaig at the end of the Road to the Isles. If you ride the Jacobite to Mallaig, you can take a taxi or bus to Loch Morar's eastern shore from the village it's only 3 miles away.
Suggested Harry Potter Day Trip Itinerary
You can visit the core filming locations in a single (long) day from Highwinds Lodge. Here's how we'd plan it for the best light and fewest crowds:
Morning: Start early with the Steall Falls walk from Glen Nevis (allow 2 hours return). You'll have the gorge to yourself if you set off before 9am. This is your Triwizard Tournament and Quidditch location.
Late morning: Drive to Glenfinnan (25 minutes). If you're riding the Jacobite, it departs Fort William at 10:15am — otherwise, time your arrival at the Glenfinnan Viaduct viewpoint for before 9:45am. To catch the train crossing between 10:45 and 11:00am. Head uphill past the main platform to the higher vantage for the best photograph.
Midday: After watching the train, walk down to the Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel. This is your Black Lake the Durmstrang ship, the second Triwizard task, and Buckbeak's flight. There's a small café at the visitor centre for lunch.
Early afternoon: Continue west on the A830 to Loch Eilt (15 minutes from Glenfinnan). Stop at the roadside lay-by to see Eilean na Moine for Dumbledore's grave. It's a quick stop but a poignant one for fans.
Afternoon: Head back towards Fort William and detour to Loch Arkaig via Gairlochy (30 minutes from Fort William). This is the dragon escape loch remote, beautiful, and usually deserted. Keep your eyes peeled for ospreys and red squirrels in the Caledonian pines.
Late afternoon: Drive south to Glencoe (30 minutes from Fort William). Walk up to Hagrid's Hut location above the Clachaig Inn (6 minutes), then enjoy a meal at the Clachaig inn. Glencoe is at its most dramatic in the low afternoon light.
Optional extension: From Glencoe if light is still on your side, detour down Glen Etive for the Horcrux campsite (12 miles each way) or continue south to Rannoch Moor for the Death Eaters location. If you have two days, save Loch Morar for a second-day trip combined with the Jacobite to Mallaig.
Practical Tips for Visiting
Best time of year: May to October for the Jacobite Steam Train. The filming locations themselves are accessible year-round, but the Highland weather is more forgiving in summer. Autumn (September–October) brings dramatic colours and fewer crowds and Glencoe and Glen Etive are particularly beautiful when the bracken turns gold.
Weather: This is the Scottish Highlands, rain is always possible, even in summer. Bring waterproof layers and sturdy footwear for the Steall Falls walk. The good news is that moody, overcast skies make Glencoe and the viaduct look even more cinematic. Some of our favourite photographs have been taken on the greyest days.
Photography: Early morning and late afternoon offer the best light. The Glenfinnan Viaduct viewpoint faces roughly east, so morning light illuminates the bridge beautifully. Glencoe's Three Sisters are best in afternoon light from the west. For the Jacobite on the viaduct, use a fast shutter speed (1/500 or faster) — the train moves faster than you'd expect.
Parking: The Glenfinnan car parks fill up quickly in summer, especially around Jacobite crossing times. Arrive at least an hour early, take the ScotRail train, or consider visiting the viaduct when the steam train isnt passing when it's quieter (regular ScotRail trains also cross, just without the steam).
Driving: Some (Loch Arkaig, upper Glen Nevis, Glen Etive) involve single-track roads with passing places. Take your time and pull over for oncoming traffic. Total driving for the full itinerary is about 2.5 hours.
With children: The Jacobite ride, Glenfinnan Viaduct viewpoint, and Glencoe are all easily accessible for families. The Steall Falls walk is manageable for older children but involves some rocky terrain. Loch Arkaig, Loch Etive, and Rannoch Moor are drive-and-view stops suitable for all ages.
Stay at the Heart of Harry Potter Country
Highwinds Lodge sits right in the middle of all these filming locations. 25 minutes from Glenfinnan, 30 minutes from Glencoe, 15 minutes from Steall Falls, and 10 minutes from Fort William Station where the Jacobite departs. With five en-suite bedrooms sleeping up to 10 guests, it's the ideal base for a group or family Harry Potter pilgrimage. Check availability to book your stay.