Glenfinnan Viaduct, Railway viaduct in Glenfinnan, Scotland
Glenfinnan Viaduct is a concrete railway bridge in the Scottish Highlands, extending 380 meters (1,247 feet) across the valley and supported by 21 arches. The structure rises 30 meters (98 feet) above the valley floor and carries trains on the West Highland Line through the landscape between forested slopes.
Work began in 1897 under engineer Robert McAlpine, who chose to build the bridge from concrete rather than stone. After four years of construction, it opened in 1901 and connected Scotland's west coast to the railway network.
The bridge became a favorite subject for photographers after appearing in the Harry Potter films as the route to Hogwarts. Many visitors arrive at midday to watch the steam train cross the arches and send clouds of smoke over the valley.
A marked path from the visitor center leads to viewpoints where you can see the arches and the passing trains clearly. The best time for photos is in the morning or afternoon when sunlight reaches the valley and the trains pass through.
The bridge was one of the first major concrete structures in Britain and was considered a technical novelty at the time. McAlpine mixed the concrete on site using sand and gravel from the nearby river, giving the arches a slightly reddish tint.
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