Glenfinnan is the spot where Bonnie Prince Charlie came ashore in 1745 from France with the intention of gaining the throne. He raised he standard at Glenfinnan and clansmen started to rally to the Jacobite cause. It’s a lovely place for a history-themed day-out combined with a walk with fabulous views.

He landed in July and by September has taken Edinburgh and started a march south on London. Carlise surrendered in November and Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army made it as far south as Derby.  However French support did not materialise and the troops withdrew to Scotland.  His army was finally defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746 and Bonnie Prince Charlie fled to Skye and famously escaped to France in a boat disguised as a maid.

The National Trust for Scotland has a visitor centre and cafe at the site 0844 493 2221 website open March-Oct

The other must see while in Glenfinnan is the 21-span viaduct. This stunning example of engineering was built in 1898 and is now most famous as the viaduct that we see the Hogwarts Express going over in the Harry Potter films.
There is a lovely 4km walk that takes you up onto the lower slopes of Fraoch-bheinn, Gaelic for heather mountain, for panoramic views of the viaduct and monument. Full instructions on the WalkHighlands website

To complete the trilogy of history-related activities, go to the Glenfinnan Station Museum which has charm, a dining car where you can get tea and cakes, and even a sleeping car when you can spend a night in the bijou apartment

Open June to October  www.glenfinnanstationmuseum.co.uk 01397 722 295