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Thursday 2 Apr 2020

Iconic Glenfinnan viaduct lit-up for our NHS heroes

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

The iconic Glenfinnan viaduct joined landmarks across the UK turning blue to show public support for NHS staff treating coronavirus patients.

The 21-arch viaduct, which stars in the Harry Potter series of films, joined famous venues and attraction like Glasgow’s SSE Hydro and Falkirk's Kelpies in lighting up in the colours of the NHS to salute the efforts of healthcare workers in the fight against the virus.

The illumination of the structure was organised by Martin Whyte of events company The Stage Group and echoes wider similar activities undertaken by the entertainment industry in this unprecedented state of enforced inaction.

Martin Whyte of the Stage Group said: “We feel a huge sense of responsibility for the mental well being of many people within our industry, who have lost their jobs and have nothing to do. Lighting the Viaduct gives us something practical to focus on and utilises our skills for something that will be appreciated by all of our key workers.

“Glenfinnan viaduct is iconic for the village, for Scotland and across the world and it has long been my ambition to light it up. What better time than now to make this happen as a gesture of solidarity with the front-line NHS staff who are risking their own health to help others during this pandemic.”

Alan Ross, director of engineering and asset management at Network Rail said; “We are delighted to be working with the Stage Group to illuminate  Glenfinnan Viaduct as a gesture of support for the vital and fantastic work that the NHS is doing to help tackle the coronavirus.

“We are grateful to those in the NHS and all of the key workers across the country who are playing, and will continue to play, a massive role in supporting us all as the country continues to respond to this pandemic.”

The illumination of Glenfinnan viaduct comes as people across the country once again joined in a mass round of applause at 8pm on Thursday April 2 to thank NHS staff for their work.

The lighting of Glenfinnan viaduct was undertaken following the clear social distancing messaging from the Chief Medical Officer and did not involve any unnecessary travel.