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Location notes
A very popular shot on the West Highland line. The location is the end of a river valley where the line comes out of a shear rock face onto a viaduct.
Railway type and traffic
Standard fare is 156 or 158 DMUs. Most of the interest is generated by charters. The Jacobite steam workings or Royal Scotsman are some regular examples. There is no freight on the line, there is a possibility of some engineers workings but these are very rare,
Environment
Midge area - Take suitable protection.
An exposed costal hilltop in the West Highlands of Scotland, be prepared for changes in the elements.
An exposed costal hilltop in the West Highlands of Scotland, be prepared for changes in the elements.
Road directions
Follow the A830 out of Fort William towards Mallaig, you will pass many other locations on the way - Including Glenfinnan Viaduct. After you have passed through Polnish you will descend down a hill and the viaduct will be in front of you.
Once parked there is a gate and a small river bridge, follow this path over the river and under the viaduct and then walk up the right hand side of the hill to reach the top.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Loch Nan Uamh Viaduct map co-ordinates
Once parked there is a gate and a small river bridge, follow this path over the river and under the viaduct and then walk up the right hand side of the hill to reach the top.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Loch Nan Uamh Viaduct map co-ordinates
Parking
There are a number of road side places to park your car here. But be cautious unless you park your car a short distance along the road your car will appear in the shot! If you can see the hilltop from your car, then you would be better moving back a bit.
Public transport
Amenities
None. There are facilities in Mallaig
Accommodation
For fotting trips along the line to Mallaig it is usually best to stay in Fort William. There are a large number of hotels and Bed and Breakfasts there.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Loch Nan Uamh Viaduct
Streetmap links
Loch Nan Uamh Viaduct general view map
Loch Nan Uamh Viaduct close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Loch Nan Uamh Viaduct
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Loch Nan Uamh Viaduct
Googly map
Loch Nan Uamh Viaduct general view map
Loch Nan Uamh Viaduct close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Loch Nan Uamh Viaduct
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The shot is not really a going away shot (unless you are photographing units) in which case you will get plenty of notice of approaching trains as the line can be seen on the left for a good mile or so. Being south facing the sun will suit an afternoon shot as it will have moved round to the west of the line and should illuminate the mountain nicely.
This can be a very popular location when a special is running. If you want a prime position you will need to arrive well in advance.
This can be a very popular location when a special is running. If you want a prime position you will need to arrive well in advance.
General views - All photographs © Marcus Dawson unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
The classic shot over the viaduct of a Fort William bound train.
Fig 2 - Looking north
As mentioned in the text, if you don't park your car far enough along the road it will appear in the shot.
Yes my car is in there! - Whoopsie
Fig 3 - Looking south
Not a great going away shot... There are far better shots for Mallaig bound workings.
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
