Hey Folks! Happy Weekend to you all! We hope you had a lovely week 🤗❤ We’ve seen some of the comments and just wanted to clarify something, as we feel that perhaps we didn’t explain ourselves clearly enough in the video and we don't want to upset any of you! ✨

We were never saying that other people shouldn’t be there or that we’re somehow different to anyone else visiting. We completely understand why people want to go — we went ourselves because we’d heard it was a beautiful place (and was on our route) and we genuinely didn’t realise beforehand just how busy it would be or that it was such a major tourist hotspot due to the Harry Potter films.

What shocked us was the scale of tourism in such a small area, and what we’d heard about the impact on the local community. From what we understand, locals are really struggling with the volume of visitors — particularly issues like people parking on double yellows, blocking roads and driveways, and making day-to-day life difficult. That concern for the people who live there was the point we were trying to make, not a criticism of visitors.

We absolutely agree that tourism can be a really positive thing for local communities. In this case though, it seems the lack of infrastructure means it can become overwhelming, which is why we encouraged anyone visiting to do so considerately — using the car park or public transport, parking sensibly, and going at quieter times where possible.

We’re genuinely sorry if our comments came across as dismissive or superior — that was never our intention. We really appreciate you watching, and we’re grateful for the conversation and different perspectives ❤

Much love Ben and Emily ✨

Glenfinnan was chosen as the location as crucialy Jacobite rising could only begin where the key Highland clans were willing and able to mobilise.  Glenfinnan lay at the junction of the lands of three crucial Jacobite families: Clan Cameron of Lochiel (the most powerful Jacobite clan in the west), Clan MacDonnell of Keppoch and Clan MacDonnell of Glengarry.  These clans controlled the glens that fed into Glenfinnan.

If Lochiel and Keppoch committed, hundreds of armed men could converge there quickly without crossing hostile territory. Charles had already been secretly negotiating with these chiefs through envoys, and Glenfinnan was the place where their forces could physically assemble.

Crucially, Glenfinnan as you now know, sits at the head of Loch Shiel, which connects to the sea through a long, narrow sea-loch. That mattered because Charlie was to arrive in the West by ship.  Supplies, weapons, and messengers could still reach him by boat and of course Government warships could not easily patrol or control Loch Shiel

Ferries have limited space for larger vehicles and are prioritised for commercial vehicles, large artics, etc, with regular bookings,  Too many tourists turn up without booking in advance. While they can often squeeze in a small car, larger vehicles have no chance as the crew need to balance the weight in the centre of the hold. Watched one campervan driver at Tarbert on Harris (ferry to Uig on Skye) argue loudly because two small cars behind him were waved on board as he was front of the queue and was told no room. There wasn't room for his monster van, the two cars were squeezed in one at each side of the hold.

Definition of a tourist is… someone traveling or visiting a place for pleasure. We are all tourists looking to see a certain place, enjoying every part of it. Our beeches in the summer in the Carolinas are very packed but we realize this is the most common time for vacations. We learn to accept and enjoy. Do your own thing and don’t worry about the other people.

Ben and Emily , don’t apologise for having your opinion, it’s called free speech you will never please some 😢 people out there , keep on doing what you do and do not “ tread on eggshells “ ❤

For those of us who live in the area, we love showing off our place with visitors, but we don't want it to be ruined by too much tourism. The whole Loch Shiel area, ending at Glenfinnan is stunning, and you haven't even made it to the end of Ardnamurchan yet. Yes, the place is overrun with Harry Potter nutcases, so we are wary of mentioning that the area around Castle Tioram is what inspired J.M.Barrie to write Peter Pan.

I crossed that viaduct pre Harry Potter when the attraction was the monument and the connection with Scottish actual history

If you look at it this way....ppl connect with a place in a book or a film and they are drawn to go see it. The other places, they may not know about or dont have a connection with....I think it's great to see ppl finding their joy...just like you are

As a proud Scot I am grinning in pride with how much you seem to be enjoying your trip through the Highlands.

Yes. You are tourists too. Relax and enjoy. Tourism is a major source of income for many businesses but some of the quaint villages aren’t prepared for all the cars and busses.

May your road unfold with laughter,
and your silences be kind.
May each step you take together
leave fear far far behind.
May mornings find you curious,
and evenings bring you rest,
may the world meet you softly
where your love is put to test.
Walk lightly through the wonders,
through the storms, through sunlit days—
two hearts learning, choosing,
again and always, stay.
May your journey be a song
only you will ever know,
sung in glances, hands held tight,
wherever you may go.🌹

Beautiful! The food in the pub looked delicious! Thank you for sharing your journey and experience.  💙🩵💙

When I was in my twenties, I loved to hike and cycle in the Highlands and you wouldn't believe how quiet it was. On some roads, barely 2 cars would pass you in a whole day. The most beautiful spots could be enjoyed all by yourself. Now, it's like a different place and I've had to think a lot about how I feel about the influx of thousands of people. The days of booking accommodation whenever you feel like it is gone. Now you must do this months in advance - and at stupid prices too. I like to feel that visitors are welcome in Scotland but these same visitors are seeing a Scotland very different to how I remember it. This has all taken place because of social media of course, with people saying things like "I've found a secret little paradise in this part of Scotland". Well, secret no more! But I guess that it's me that has to change rather than wishing Scotland remained as how I remember it. All things much change. But I hope the Scottish Government implements a strategy that minimises the negative impact that large amounts of visitors can make, no matter how lovely these visitors are.

Nice to see Benny's sense of humour coming through.

I used to live in a beautiful little Irish town in a very, very picturesque area and we all hated the summer. You couldn't move. We started to prefer the winter when it was quiet and peaceful and still beautiful.

The Culloden Viaduct next to Clava Cairns is far more impressive in red sandstone.

The big issue we have up here isn’t tourists it’s that everyone hires a camper van then drives the route using the free services and roads and blocking up what was a quiet farming place. No money comes back into the local area this way only to say Tesco when no one even stops at each place for a good time they simply see the NC500 as a competition or race. The route was created by a company that don’t live up here or contribute financially. What we love is when someone comes up here, doesn’t free park in a spot that locals use for walking or access and stays at camp sites or books accommodation and pops into the local cafe or pub or shop or honesty boxes.

It’s been a big change as you used to see a couple of cars a day and wave to everyone as you knew them, you could park anywhere and go anywhere and then very quickly life changed drastically. Locals can no longer afford to stay in the rural areas they grew up because everything goes to a holiday let and rental properties for those needing to move are non existent which means again moving away.

Please do still come but enjoy more areas for more than a few hours by staying at a camp site or base and not just doing the nc500,as fast as possible for a badge and help put back into the local area not those who just want to wild camp ( park for free) in a motor home.

The very fact everyone relates it to Harry Potter effs me off. It’s a historical marvel. It’s breathtaking with or without the Jacobite passing through. I look forward to seeing what you think.

Glenfinnan Viaduct and the Jacobite train was very popular long before Harry Potter

I can't understand why so many people would want to go to a known crowded spot. Especially as you have observed how many wonderful places there are not far from Glenfinnian that are spectacular! Think of the tour buses that are bringing all these people in winter when the train isn't running. Seems a bit of a scam! In any event, glad you have had a wonderful visit to the Scottish highlands, and a very happy New Year!