Harry Potter and Outlander fans hoping to visit the historic Glenfinnan Monument have been told to plan ahead or miss out due to lack of parking.
Two car parks that serve the ancient landmark – where people can also see the ‘Hogwarts Express’ steam train crossing the famous viaduct – are so busy people are being turned away.
The monument itself was built in memory of Bonnie Prince Charlie and has become a ‘must-do’ for fans of TV series Outlander and Scottish history.
Its location on Loch Shiel was also used in Harry Potter films as the location of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
A fifteen-minute walk from the site is the best place to take in the view of the Jacobite Steam Train – known as the Harry Potter train – over the world-famous Glenfinnan Viaduct.
‘It was meant to be the highlight of my trip’
With even more tourists than ever coming to the area, NTS asked people to plan ahead and consider coming by train or bus.
Emily Bryce, the centre manager at Glenfinnan, said: “Spaces are not bookable, and are given out on a first come first served basis.”
NTS don’t want people parking illegally on the roadside.
One tourist, Hans Belmont from southern Germany, told The Press and Journal he tried three days in a row to get into the car park without success.
He finally had to take a train from Fort William to see the famous site.
He said: “I thought it would be easy enough to see the monument and the viaduct, but when I went there on Saturday, Sunday and Monday I was told to come back another day.
“I have now decided to head to Skye instead. It was meant to be the highlight of my trip.”
Another tourist said she was told this week it would be July before she could get a parking space.
Another visitor said: “Someone should be telling people before they get here that they can not get in.
“I have two very disappointed teenagers.”
Local Jennie Bryant said: “I was hoping that this would have calmed down by now but it really hasn’t. Every day people are being disappointed.
“Because people park along the roadside on the verges, I am really worried that someone will be killed.”
Police Scotland make daily patrols of the area, and issue tickets of £180 for anyone violating parking laws.
Additionally, work will be carried out by Transport Scotland on the A380 between June 17-21, introducing bollards and building up verges to prevent vehicles parking illegally on stretches of double yellow lines when visitor car parks are full.
Trust ‘dismayed’ by hazardous Glenfinnan parking
On social media, the NTS said they were “dismayed by the hazardous (and illegal) roadside parking” seen when the visitor car parks are full.
The post continued: “If you do intend to drive, have a plan B as you may have to drive on and come back another time or day.”
When approached by The Press and Journal, the trust said it had experienced an “incredible growth in visitors” and welcomed the work due to be carried out by Transport Scotland.
“In 2023, we welcomed an unprecedented 540,000 visitors, a rise of 40% on 2022. Facilities in this small village, and especially parking, are finding this level of visitation difficult to accommodate,” a spokesperson said.
“We encourage anyone visiting Glenfinnan this summer to arrive by coach, bus or train. Those arriving car-free can also take advantage of rewards, discounts and freebies across many Glenfinnan visitor attractions by showing their bus or rail ticket.
“The National Trust for Scotland continues to work together with the local community to welcome visitors in a way that is manageable for the available facilities and which gives everyone a good experience.”
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