Great Coastal Railway Journeys

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Michael Portillo embarks on railway adventures around the coasts of the British Isles.

All aboard! Weaving through charming seaside towns, historic landmarks and natural wonders, Michael Portillo explores the coastal communities the railways made.

Series 1

Great Coastal Railway Journeys 

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Michael Portillo

Anthony Holland

Beatrice Ni Bhroin

Alison Kreps

John Comerford

Fremantle

Great Coastal Railway Journeys: Series 1: Fort William to Glenfinnan

Fort William to Glenfinnan

BBC Two - Great Coastal Railway Journeys, Series 1, Fort William to Glenfinnan

Michael crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct aboard the Jacobite Express and visits Glencoe.

Michael heads aboard the Jacobite Express to cross the awe-inspiring Glenfinnan Viaduct, before visiting the immense Grampian Mountains and learning about the notorious Massacre of Glencoe.

A ride to remember caps this leg of Michael Portillo’s railway adventure up the west coast of Scotland. Aboard the Jacobite Express, he crosses the awe-inspiring Glenfinnan Viaduct. With their perfect view of the beautiful curve of 21 arches built entirely of concrete, Michael and his fellow passengers are the envy of the crowds waving below.

Spectacular engineering is in store for Michael in the majestic Grampian Mountains at Fort William, where he investigates the Lochaber aluminium works.

In the Nevis range, Michael takes the only mountain gondola in Britain to explore a championship downhill mountain bike track.

At Banavie, Michael operates the charmingly named Neptune’s Staircase, a series of eight locks within a quarter of a mile on the Caledonian Canal, which was built by Scottish engineer Thomas Telford to enable boats to pass from coast to coast.

At Glencoe, Michael learns of a massacre in 1692, when 38 members of the MacDonald clan were murdered by government soldiers they were hosting. Michael joins archaeologists excavating the site to learn more about the lost community.

Great Coastal Railway Journeys: Series 1

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Great Coastal Railway Journeys

Series 1

Fort William to Glenfinnan

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