HARRY Potter fans have been warned against wandering onto the tracks at an iconic railway viaduct.
The tourist season has picked up again at Glenfinnan Viaduct, with the Jacobite steam train – which appeared as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films – taking to the railway once again.
It comes after a delay which was sparked by a row over the type of carriages the locomotive hauls.
While operator West Coast Railways' (WRC) had hoped to use its old-style Mark 1 carriages, it is now operating with more modern Mark 2 carriages which have a door-locking system required under rail safety regulations.
Network Rail Scotland has now urged visitors to Glenfinnan Viaduct, near Fort William, to follow signage and stay clear of the railway.
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There have been problems with trespassing in the past, including an incident in 2012 when a steam train driver was forced to brake on the viaduct after spotting two women standing dangerously close to the line.
The viaduct has become a popular tourist destination, with the National Trust for Scotland saying it attracts more than 600,000 visitors per year, who often gather to see the Jacobite steam train pass by.
Concerns have been raised in the past over the impact of tourism on the local community and the surrounding environment.
ScotRail services and other trains also travel across the viaduct, making it especially dangerous for people to gather too close to the tracks.
Network Rail Scotland route crime manager Neil Cook has encouraged people to use the dedicated viewing spots at the site.
He told BBC Scotland News: "The Jacobite steam train's journey over Glenfinnan Viaduct is a magical sight but it's not worth risking your life for.
"Too often, we receive reports of dangerous behaviour, with people climbing fences, standing on the railway, or walking along the track to try to get closer."
He added: "Trespassing on the railway is illegal and puts lives at serious risk.
"Trains can come from either direction, are quieter than people expect, and can't stop quickly."
