Glenfinnan Monument

It was on the shores of Loch Shiel, on 19 August 1745, that Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard and began the final Jacobite Rising. Today, the Glenfinnan Monument stands proudly at this very spot, inviting visitors to pause and reflect on the moment that changed Scotland’s history.Standing 18 metres tall and crowned by a kilted Highlander, the monument was built in 1815 by Alexander MacDonald of Glenaladale, whose family stood with the Prince. It honours the Highlanders who gave their lives for the Jacobite cause. Today, the National Trust for Scotland cares for this special place, and the visitor centre at its base brings the story of the '45 to life. If you climb the narrow staircase to the viewing platform, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views down Loch Shiel, stretching 28 kilometres (about 17 miles) into the mountains, just as the Prince himself would have seen on that fateful morning.Just above, the Glenfinnan Viaduct – known to many as the Hogwarts Express bridge – sweeps gracefully across the glen and is easily seen from the loch shore. With the historic monument and the cinematic viaduct side by side, this is truly one of Scotland’s most iconic and photographed landscapes. For a different perspective, you might like to take a boat trip from the jetty on Loch Shiel and see these landmarks from the water.