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Thursday 28 May 2020

Light-up story of lockdown comes full-circle at Glenfinnan viaduct

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

The iconic Glenfinnan viaduct was again lit up to show solidarity with NHS staff and key workers.

In what was the last of the series of light-ups, the 21-arch viaduct, which stars in the Harry Potter series of films, joined famous venues and attractions across the country in lighting up in the colours of the NHS to salute the efforts of healthcare workers in the fight against coronavirus.

Glenfinnan viaduct, located in north west Scotland at the top of Loch Shiel, is genuinely iconic and known across the world thanks to its connections to the Jacobite rebellion and the latter-day boy wizard.

It was the first structure that was lit up in NHS blue to support front-line staff and key workers in early April and to end the series it was thought coming full circle, and again lighting Glenfinnan viaduct, would provide a fitting finale and tribute.

Since the first illumination of Glenfinnan viaduct, Network Rail in Scotland has lit up stations and structures every Thursday evening including the refurbished Glasgow Queen Street station, Edinburgh Waverley’s ticket office dome, Findhorn viaduct and the new Dundee station.

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

Alex Hynes, Managing Director at Scotland’s Railway said: “We are delighted to return to Glenfinnan viaduct and once again illuminate what many consider to be one of Scotland’s most iconic structures as a symbol of public support for the vital and fantastic work of NHS staff who are tackling the coronavirus.

“As we move into the summer months, week by week we were losing the battle against the light to do justice to our essential workers and iconic stations and structures.  On that basis, we felt it an opportune moment to conclude this activity.

“We will continue to be humbled on a daily basis by the incredible dedication shown by staff in the NHS and we are grateful to all key workers across the country, including our railway family, who are playing a massive role in supporting the country at this time.”

The lighting of Glenfinnan viaduct has been undertaken by the Stage Group, following the clear physical distancing messages from government.