Harry Potter turns Scots train route into success

The railway line made famous by the Harry Potter films and voted the world’s most scenic train journey is ScotRail’s fastest growing route, official figures reveal.

By Alastair Dalton Tuesday, 22nd December 2015, 2:06 pm

Traffic on the West Highland line has risen du e to a new school service as well as tourism. Picture: Martin Molcan

A doubling of trains on the West Highland line between Glasgow, Oban, Fort William and Mallaig helped boost its passenger numbers by nearly 14 per cent to 454,000 in 2014-15.

A new school service transporting pupils from Dalmally, Taynuilt and Connel to Oban is also thought to have contributed to the increase.

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A stretch of the line between Fort William and Mallaig featured in many of the Harry Potter film series, including the Glenfinnan viaduct. Further fame came when the route was twice voted as “best line” for scenery by readers of Wanderlust magazine for its views of some of Scotland’s finest lochs and mountains.

ScotRail hopes to attract yet more passengers when it upgrades carriages to become “scenic trains”, with seats better aligned to windows, tourist information and improved catering, from 2018.

The Friends of the West Highland Line said it was now used more than at any time since the 1950s.

Chairman Doug Carmichael said: “For years, we pushed for more services above the three a day which