A Quest For Harry Day 1

We left our lovely cottage on the Isle of Skye to head for the adventures of today early as we had a ferry to catch to make our way back to the mainland.

 We would have sat outside, but it was just so cold and windy that we only went out for a picture.

Plus we were pretty packed in there!!! We are the red car in the far top. There wasn't much room to get in and out of the car!

When we got off the ferry we were off on our search for Harry...Potter that is! Or at least for as many Harry Potter movie filming sites as we could find.

First up was Loch Morar which is the deepest freshwater body of water in the British Isles. 

This loch was used mostly for close up shots of Hogwarts Lake. 

Our next stop was the Glenfinnan Viaduct. This one should be recognizable to almost anyone who has seen the Harry Potter movies. The viaduct was built out of solid concrete between the years 1897 and 1901. It consist of 21 spans of 50 foot arches. It is 1250 feet long and is the longest concrete railway bridge in Scotland.

In the movies the Hogwarts Express train goes across the viaduct on its way to the school. 

We had the exciting opportunity to ride the Jacobite train from Fort William to Malliag. This trip is often ranked as one of the 10 best train trips to take in the world. It passes right over the viaduct. 

This is our Jacobite Express going across the Glenfinnan Viaduct. The Jacobite is an 84 mile round trip experience that goes through some beautiful countryside in Scotland. It uses the same type of steam train used in the movies.

However, to see the actual train used, you have to visit the studios in London.

Another site we visited on our Harry Adventure was Loch Eilt and more specifically Eilean na Moine. This is an island that was used in the HP franchise for the final resting place of Dumbledore and where Voldemort comes to retrieve the Elder Wand. 

The island can be seen in the middle of Loch Eilt with all the trees. 

Our final Harry Potter site for the day was Loch Shiel. This loch was used for the Black or Great Lake. It can also be seen in some scenes of the Hogwarts Express when it is going over the viaduct .

Most would recognize it though as the lake that was used in The Goblet of Fire for the underwater stage of the Tri-Wizard Championship. 

We went to check into our Air BnB for the evening and we had to check in at the local "Castle Hotel" although we definitely were not staying there! Couldn't help but snap these pictures of the Castle amenities!

It was a fun filled day of film scene hunting and looking at lochs. Scotland certainly has its fair share!