Tourists visiting the famous Harry Potter viaduct in Glenfinnan have closed the village

Residents living near the Glenfinnan Viaduct report that they are struggling with traffic congestion due to the large number of tourists who want to visit the attraction made famous by the Harry Potter series.

Over half a million tourists visited the area to view the viaduct in 2023, making it the National Trust of Scotland’s most popular attraction outside Edinburgh or Glasgow.

The increasing popularity has created major problems for locals, as most visitors arrive by car and many park on the side of the road and on bends.

BEAR Scotland, the operator of Transport Scotland, has now installed marker posts along the road to prevent roadside parking and increase safety for traffic passing the site and through the village.

STV News

Emily Bryce, operations manager for Glencoe and Glenfinnan at NTS, said staff had to turn away visitors from around 9.30am each day because car parks filled up so quickly.

Ingrid Henderson, of the Glenfinnan Community Facilities Programme charity, said they were “delighted” with the measures to deter motorists, adding that the parking situation often leads to traffic congestion across the village.

Mrs Henderson added that while the works should improve the situation, there was concern that visitors would continue to come in their cars and park them at the other end of the village.

The local community has worked with NTS to develop a rewards system for people who can provide proof of having travelled by bus or train.

Upon presentation of the entrance ticket, visitors receive discounts for certain attractions and centers in the village.

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