Travelogue: Glenfinnan, Scotland

6 November, 2024

Glenfinnan is a city along the shores of Loch Shiel. If you have ever watched any Harry Potter movie, you may know this as the Black Lake.

Dark and moody, especially on a fall day in November. Layers of clouds, trees, and mountains surround the loch along both sides.

Occasionally you can view small houses or bothy’s, as well as inns, estates, and just north, is the Glenfinnan viaduct.

This is one of those areas that will call to you if you listen. Leave you curious of what’s in that water, what stories it has to tell. It’s also just really beautiful to view.

This area has gotten busier over the years. I remember when I was through here in 2015, there were not too many people, the parking area was free and the views of the viaduct were more open.

The timing of my recent trip there wasn’t perfect, in that there was construction/maintenance in and around the viaduct. So I focused my energies on the loch. It was also surprisingly busy, for what I believed would be a slower time of year. The parking lot was full, and there’s now a small fee for parking, about £3.

For a few images, I used a 10-stop neutral density filter to smooth the water out even more.

From this spot, across from the visitor’s center, near the Glenfinnan Monument, I captured a few of the inn I would stay in for the evening. 

When I travel, I stay in hostels, a lot, but some nights I like to treat myself to some fancier experiences, in this instance, it was staying at the Glenfinnan House Hotel. A beautiful estate right on Loch Shiel. I had a room with a view, where I could enjoy sunset or sunrise. 

The room was spacious, comfortable, with highlights of elements you’d hope for in a Inn in the Highlands. From wool blankets and pillow covers, to antique furnishings and fireplaces. 

Dinner was decent and I of course had a whisky. The morning’s breakfast was good and filling. Apologies for the lack of photos of these elements, sometimes i like to just focus on the experience.

Next up, the Fairy Glen and Portree. 

Steps: 10,317