Glenfinnan Monument

The basics

Following the death of Queen Anne in 1714—the last Stuart monarch to occupy the British throne—several crises of succession roiled the country. The most serious was the 1745 Jacobite Rising when Prince Charles Edward Stuart (“Bonnie Prince Charlie”) rallied Highland clans and supporters (Jacobites) to join him in a military campaign to reclaim the throne. His army was ultimately routed, but not before he was memorialized as a folk hero. Today, the Glenfinnan Monument commemorates all who perished in the ill-fated Jacobite Rising and captures a pivotal episode of Scottish history.

The Glenfinnan Monument is one of the Highlands’ most important historic landmarks and is where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s campaign began. It features on several Highland sightseeing itineraries, visiting nearby highlights like Glencoe and Fort William.

Things to know before you go

• It’s possible to ascend the monument up a steep staircase; the upper platform can only be accessed by a narrow hatch.

• The Glenfinnan Monument is accompanied by a visitor center containing the Monument View Café, a gift shop, toilets, and an exhibition area.

• While the monument's interior is not accessible to wheelchair users, much of the visitor center and paths leading to the monument are.

• The grounds and visitor center are free, but visitors must pay a small fee to enter the monument (except National Trust members, who visit for free).

How to get there

The Glenfinnan Monument is located at Glenfinnan PH37 4LT. It is 19 miles (31 kilometers) west of Fort William via the A830; limited parking is offered on-site. The monument can also be accessed via public transportation. The Glenfinnan train station is just a few minutes away and is served by regular ScotRail services; local buses also link it with hubs like Fort William.

When to get there

The grounds of the Glenfinnan Monument are open daily throughout the year. The Monument View Café and visitor center are open seasonally, generally from late March until late December, with closures during the holiday season. Their opening hours vary throughout the year but are typically from morning until late afternoon.

Glenfinnan Viaduct

Just moments from the Glenfinnan Monument is the town’s other major landmark: the Glenfinnan Viaduct, immortalized in the Harry Potter films as part of the Hogwarts Express’s journey. Today, old-fashioned steam trains run along the viaduct daily from spring to autumn, making it a popular destination for visiting fans.