Hidden Scotland
Sign in
A curved railway viaduct crosses a river at the foot of a steep autumn-coloured glen, mountains rising sharply on either side.
Glencoe

Allt Kinglass Viaduct

A curved girder viaduct of 1894 on the West Highland Line, carrying the railway round the Horseshoe Curve south of Bridge of Orchy.

Welcome

South of Bridge of Orchy, the West Highland Line swings in a great loop around the foot of the mountains, and this slender viaduct carries it across the Allt Kinglass.

It opened with the railway in 1894: a girder viaduct of nine spans, each 60 feet long, laid on a curve so that it follows the line of the glen.

It is part of the famous Horseshoe Curve, where the railway makes a huge detour to keep to the same level rather than climb and fall. The curve is so tight that, heading north, passengers can look out and see the line ahead running in exactly the opposite direction.

From the ground, the viaduct stands high over the burn with the hills rising steeply on either side, and it is a wonderful sight when a train crosses. A track to Loch Lyon passes beneath it.

Before you go

Seen from the ground below at any hour.

Where
South of Bridge of Orchy.
Opened
1894.
Spans
Nine, of 60 feet.

Did you know

An aerial view of a wide glen shows a road and river running between autumn-coloured hillsides beneath a mountain ridge lit by low sun.
Did you know

The Horseshoe Curve.

The railway loops so tightly here that northbound passengers can see the line ahead running in the reverse direction.

A railway viaduct crosses a river at the foot of a wide glen, autumn-coloured mountains rising steeply on either side.
Did you know

Nine spans.

The viaduct has nine spans of 60 feet, laid on a curve of 576 feet.

What is on

What is new across Glencoe, day by day.

New places, news and stories, as we find them.

What is on in Glencoe
01 / 03
Where it is

On the West Highland Line south of Bridge of Orchy, where the track to Loch Lyon passes beneath it.

Close byBridge of Orchy.
  1. Beinn Dòrain's steep slopes above the glen, snow on the tops beyond.Beinn DorainThe mountain above the curve.Under a mile1 min by road
  2. Loch TullaLoch TullaA loch to the north.5 miles6 min by road
  3. Scones with jam and butter, tea and cappuccinos on a wooden table at Artisan Cafe & Deli.Artisan Cafe & DeliA café and Scottish deli in a converted church in Tyndrum, with stained glass, a fire and home baking.5 miles7 min by road
  4. Ben Challum under a light dusting of snow at sunset.Ben ChallumA 1,025-metre Munro above Strath Fillan, near Crianlarich and Tyndrum, climbed from Kirkton Farm.5 miles9 min by road
  5. Ben Oss and its neighbours above golden grass under big clouds.Ben OssA rugged 1,030-metre Munro beside Ben Lui, climbed from Dalrigh near Tyndrum.9 miles11 min by road
  6. Rannoch Moor ViewpointRannoch Moor ViewpointThe moor beyond.12 miles15 min by road
Directions
A wooden footbridge on the Way through green woods.AttractionsWest Highland Way9.3 miles
Ben More under snow above brown moorland and pines.AttractionsBen More, Crianlarich11 miles
Loch Dochart and its wooded castle island below the hills.AttractionsLoch Iubhair & Loch Dochart11 miles
Metal walkway winds through a rusted wire tunnel amid dense woodlandAttractionsWoven Sound, Falls of Falloch12 miles
The Falls of Falloch dropping into a dark pool among green woods.AttractionsFalls of Falloch12 miles
Suie Hunting Lodge, Loch LomondGlencoeSuie Hunting LodgePlace to stay · 15 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the viaduct, and when each is next free.

Suie Hunting Lodge, Loch LomondSuie Hunting Lodge
  • To stay
  • In Glencoe
  • 11 miles from the Allt Kinglass viaduct
Check datesA Highland calf walks across a lawn before a pink harled house, a stone wall and outbuilding visible behind.Monachyle Mhor
  • To stay
  • In Glencoe
  • 13 miles from the Allt Kinglass viaduct
Check datesA dark timber cabin with a pitched metal roof stands among ferns and birch trees.Kabn
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Cairndow
  • 20 miles from the Allt Kinglass viaduct
Free 17–19 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in GlencoeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

Every photograph commissioned, every word written by somebody who went. Printed twice a year, made in Scotland.

Get Issue 13Read it here
Find out more

For further reading, before you go.