The Hogwarts Express Train Is Bringing Big Crowds to Scotland
In the hills of Scotland, a real steam train called the Jacobite has become famous around the world because it looks like the Hogwarts Express from Harry Potter. Every day, fans travel to Glenfinnan just to watch it pass and imagine they’re on their way to Hogwarts — no magical brick wall required.
But all that excitement comes with a downside. The huge number of visitors means busy roads, packed parking areas, and lots of traffic in the small nearby village. It can even make walking around more difficult and less safe, since people often have to park far away and walk along roads with cars passing by.
Now the local community is trying to find solutions, including building more parking spaces, to help manage the crowds while still letting fans enjoy the magical experience.
Take the Challenge
More News Stories
Meet 46-year-old horse Roana, and her owner, Cerys. Cerys and her horse grew up together and Cerys considers Roana family. She credits Roana with helping her get well after she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. This video is excerpted from BBC News.
In Belfast, Northern Ireland, researchers tried a simple but revealing experiment: they “lost” ten wallets around the city to see how people would respond. Each wallet had a little cash inside and a card showing how to return it to the owner.
Why does this matter? Scientists who study happiness say that how much people trust strangers — and how often strangers act kindly — is a big clue to how happy a place is overall. It turns out that things like strong communities, helping others, and even sharing meals can matter almost as much as money or jobs when it comes to well-being.
So the real question isn’t just how many wallets were returned — it’s what those choices say about how people treat each other, and how that shapes everyday happiness.
Fallowlees Farm offers a place for urban women and girls to grow crops and experience nature, while also donating all of the food produced to those in need. Birthed as a project to counter isolation during the pandemic, over 4,000 women and girls have now found support and community through their time on the farm. This video is excerpted from BBC News.
Dementia patients come together for a train ride to Whitby complete with beautiful scenery, live music, and gentle massages. Caregivers also find community aboard this special train ride. This video is excerpted from BBC News.
Meet 46-year-old horse Roana, and her owner, Cerys. Cerys and her horse grew up together and Cerys considers Roana family. She credits Roana with helping her get well after she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. This video is excerpted from BBC News.
In Belfast, Northern Ireland, researchers tried a simple but revealing experiment: they “lost” ten wallets around the city to see how people would respond. Each wallet had a little cash inside and a card showing how to return it to the owner.
Why does this matter? Scientists who study happiness say that how much people trust strangers — and how often strangers act kindly — is a big clue to how happy a place is overall. It turns out that things like strong communities, helping others, and even sharing meals can matter almost as much as money or jobs when it comes to well-being.
So the real question isn’t just how many wallets were returned — it’s what those choices say about how people treat each other, and how that shapes everyday happiness.
Fallowlees Farm offers a place for urban women and girls to grow crops and experience nature, while also donating all of the food produced to those in need. Birthed as a project to counter isolation during the pandemic, over 4,000 women and girls have now found support and community through their time on the farm. This video is excerpted from BBC News.
Dementia patients come together for a train ride to Whitby complete with beautiful scenery, live music, and gentle massages. Caregivers also find community aboard this special train ride. This video is excerpted from BBC News.