You probably think I am obsessed with Harry Potter by now, having seen the movie and bought the book on the days they were released (a dead giveaway, normally), and been so excited at seeing where they filmed the corridoors, classrooms, The Great Hall and Hogwarts Castle.
In fact, a roomate in London was going to a Harry Potter conference for a week, showing me all the materials and paperwork she had been required to bring – ‘Ah, looks like fun,’ I said hesitatingly, hoping she wouldn’t try and convince me to join her – which clearly proves I am not obsessed. I didn’t even know they had Harry Potter conferences.
Convinced? Right O.
So, clearly not being an obsessed fan, I also didn’t know until I arrived that the Jacobite Steam Train and one of the most famous rail journeys of the world also doubled as the Hogwarts Express – travelling daily from Fort William to Mallaig and back over the 21 Arch Glennfinnan Viaduct (which, ah, featuresinharrypotterbutIwasn’tthatexcitedIswear).
I had, by now, travelled through the mountains back and forth quite a bit, the Scottish highlands being quite narrow geographically, but the beauty was never lost on me, so the train ride was fitting as a final goodbye to the the highlands before I left for the big city of Glasgow.
The four hour return journey placed me in the company of a Kansas girl, who also professed a love for the moutains, as well as shooting game, driving pick-ups and dating rednecks (and obviously talking non-stop), but she was lovely and the day was a nice way to travel without being stuck in the rain, for once.
Unfortunately I had to leave the highlands the next day, which I really didn’t want to do. I really didn’t. In fact, you’d better just add ‘And I never wanted to leave,’ after every sentence mentioning Scotland in this entire blog, ok?
-Sarah
Sarah