Family stranded in the Scottish Highlands rescued by Hogwarts Express
A family vacationing in the Scottish highlands ended up being rescued by the train from the Harry Potter films.
Jon and Helen Cluett were on a canoeing excursion in Lochaber with their four children. They were left facing a long walk back after their boat was swept away in a swollen river.
“The burn was overflowing. The entire area was underwater. The rocks I’d tied the boat to were pulled apart and the boat was gone,” Mr. Cluett told the BBC.
Their options weren’t great: either a three-mile trek over boggy terrain with their young children or walking along the nearby railway line. The family decided both were too dangerous. Stranded miles from their car, the family phoned the police for help.
“In the end I decided the only option was to phone the police and mountain rescue, ask if they have any local knowledge that could help us out,” said Mr Cluett.
Authorities arranged for the steam train, called the Jacobite, to make an unscheduled stop to pick up the Cluetts.
“I’m slightly sad because I’d lost my boat – but the kids, when they saw the steam train coming, all sadness left their little faces and was replaced by excitement and fun – just the real joy of having an adventure and having the train stop right next to them,” said Mr. Cluett.
The train dropped the family off at the next stop, Lochailort, and Mr. Cluett was able to hitch a ride back to his car. He holds out hope a local will spot his canoe floating in the loch.
The Jacobite, run by Westcoast Railways, takes passengers on an 83-mile round trip past the scenic mountains and lakes of Scotland’s highlands. A first class ticket will run you about $71.
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