In Scotland a train route was constructed from Glasgow to Mallaig (Highlands), and it is perhaps the world's most beautiful, the prettiest, train route's. This route of West Highland Railway is a pride of British Railways, no wonder they call it "A line for all seasons".

The whole railway route is so beautiful that it has been featured in movie "Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets". The most beautiful scene comes across the eyes of passengers when the train cross over Glenfinnan Viaduct. A viaduct is a long bridge-like structure, typically a series of arches, carrying a road or railway across a valley or other low ground.

World's prettiest train route
Train Crossing over the curve of Glenfinnan Viaduct
Glenfinnan Viaduct is built from mass concrete, and has 21 semicircular spans of 50 feet (15 m). It is the longest concrete railway bridge in Scotland at 416 yards (380 m), and crosses the River Finnan at a height of 100 feet (30 m). 

The west highland railway line was opened publicly on August 7, 1894 when the first train reached Fort William. Later the route was extended by the Mallaig Extension Railway and the first train ran towards Mallaig from Glasgow on April 1, 1901.

Readers will find it interesting to note that the original Spean Bridge railway station building on this railway route is now a restaurant.

spean bridge hotel
spean bridge - a railway station converted to hotel


Another station - Rannoch Moor, is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation. It is notable for its wildlife, particularly famous for the sole British location for the Rannoch-rush, named after the moor.

The West Highland Line links Mallaig railway station by rail to Fort William, Oban and Glasgow. The line was voted the top rail journey in the world by readers of independent travel magazine Wanderlust in 2009, ahead of the iconic Trans-Siberian and the Cuzco to Machu Picchu line in Peru. The four hour trip to Dumbarton Central railway station passes through spectacular scenery including seascapes, lochsides, mountain and moorland terrain, and offers views of Loch Lomond, the Gare Loch, Rannoch Moor, Ben Nevis, Glenfinnan and Glen Shiel, and Loch Eil to name just a few. The line also runs along the Clyde between Helensburgh and Glasgow and offers views across the estuary.

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