Glenfinnan

The National Trust for Scotland’s Visitor Centre at Glenfinnan sits in spectacular Highland landscape overlooking Loch Shiel, with the monument to the 1745 Jacobite Rising on one side, and the now-famous Glenfinnan Rail Viaduct. At Glenfinnan we were first asked by the National Trust for Scotland to provide a feasibility study for a new Visitor Centre to replace the dilapidated and inadequate current one. We were then asked back to provide a strategic masterplan and visitor study based on a number of community and stakeholder conversations.

 The Glenfinnan site has been challenged by a huge rise in visitors since the viaduct and steam train appeared in a Harry Potter movie. Our findings showed an urgent need to replace the existing facilities and improve outdoor interpretation and access - instead of ‘remodelling’ and building a larger extension as was planned. The concept is a simple large roof providing shelter underneath and acting as a viewing platform above combining views to both the monument and viaduct. The viewing platform roof will absorb the many peak time visitors during summer in a secure manner without having to build additional square metres.