Fort William
July 28
As a kid, I wasn’t much of a reader. It’s always been easier for me to watch, learn, and let the inspiration flow visually. One of the greatest movie franchises of all time that pulled me in visually, is the Harry Potter movies. The early 2000s really felt like the peak for fantasy movies—especially when you consider how they were made. It was also the last generation of films shot on 35mm, later scanned and digitally manipulated before being printed to a final film reel or digital cinema package.
Even though some scenes in Harry Potter are heavy early generation computer-generated imagery, the filming locations felt incredibly real. I believe even fantasy needs a perfect balance between imagination and realism to make the audience feel present—and even a bit vulnerable. In a fantasy world, anything can happen and everything can change in an instant—so, to me, using real, living locations is a must. That’s something green screens, CGI and AI will never be able to replace.
After a lot of planning, we finally made it to the mountains of Scotland. We stayed in Fort William, a small town nestled in the Highlands. It’s home to some of the best whisky distilleries in the world, cozy resorts, and beautiful forests and trails. Downtown, the streets were full of hikers and tourists grabbing a bite and resting after long daily adventures.
Fort William is also the main station for the Jacobite steam train—a British engineering gem from 1901 that’s still reliable and iconic. Even though it wasn’t the exact locomotive used in the Harry Potter films, the train still runs the same scenic route through the Highlands and across the Glenfinnan Viaduct—one of the most famous filming locations from the series.
I wanted to capture the train crossing the viaduct and rushed to find the perfect spot with good signal for the drone, a DJI Mini 4 Pro. We were short on time and ended up sprinting up a mountain with just minutes to spare. I managed to get the drone in the air just in time, flying across the valley to spot the train. Soon you could hear the echo of the old steam engine roaring—such a powerful and rare sound these days.
When I finally spotted the train, I did my best to keep up and track it, even though I hadn’t scouted the area beforehand like I usually do. Normally I plan out the flight route and look for obstacles and hazards, but luckily the viaduct sits relatively low and has a flat surface, so flying near it wasn’t too difficult. My hands were shaking—I was out of breath from the running and under pressure. This was my only shot, unless I wanted to wait another four hours for the next train.
I carefully adjusted the altitude, kept an eye on the numbers on my controller, and smoothly pitched the camera while flying in reverse and yaw-panning as the train crossed. I was worried the mid-air adjustments would look too jerky in the final footage. I wanted smooth and immersive movements as if you were flying on a broomstick. Video available at the bottom section and in the gallery.
About 55 minutes away is the filming location for Hagrid’s hut, in Glencoe. The hut itself was removed years ago, which is kind of sad—it would’ve been the perfect landmark for die-hard Harry Potter fans. But even without the hut, the location is stunning. The landscape is so thoughtfully chosen—the tree lines, the small lake, the natural composition of the area—it’s incredibly satisfying to look at and a dream to photograph. It’s worth visiting even if you’re not a big fan of the films.
We also visited Edinburgh and walked along Victoria Street, which is said to have inspired J.K. Rowling when she was writing the books. The street was buzzing with tourists, and there was even a long line outside Museum Context, a Harry Potter merchandise store. But despite the crowds, you could definitely see where the inspiration came from—and feel that magical atmosphere all around. I highly recommend visiting Edinburgh if you get the chance.
