Glenfinnan is barely a village — a hamlet, a church, a station and a hotel or two — but few places in Scotland pack in this much. On 19 August 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard here, at the head of Loch Shiel, and launched the last Jacobite rising; the Glenfinnan Monument marks the spot. A century and a half later the West Highland railway arrived on the 21 arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which the Harry Potter films turned into one of the most recognisable railway bridges in the world.
The setting is what holds it together. Looking south from the monument, Loch Shiel runs away between steep wooded hills like a Norwegian fjord, and it's one of the classic views of the Highlands. The viaduct curves round the head of the glen behind you.
Glenfinnan lies on the Road to the Isles about halfway between Fort William and Mallaig, and it's an easy stop by car, bus or ScotRail train. In summer the Jacobite steam train crosses the viaduct, and crowds gather on the hillside to watch. The National Trust for Scotland visitor centre by the monument posts the train times; parking fills fast in season, so arrive early.
There's more here than a photo stop if you give it a day. Walk the trails above the viaduct, take a boat trip down Loch Shiel to look for eagles, visit the little station museum, or come in August for the Glenfinnan Highland Gathering, held on the weekend nearest the anniversary of the rising.