4 Scottish Destinations Not to Miss

Jacobite train

The appeal of this antiquated steam train (a.k.a. the Hogwarts Express), which begins in Fort William and terminates in the fishing port town of Mallaig, is to rack up some serious Harry Potter cred. The money shot happens near the end of the trip, when you get the stunning view of the 21 arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Well worth the bumpy ride. WestCoastRailways.co.uk

The Armory Hall, with its pattern of guns on display, is world-famous, but you might recognize other interiors of this iconic castle from the special Christmas episode of Downton Abbey, in which the Dowager Duchess and the rest of the family visited. It’s still home to the 13th Duke of Argyll and his family, and if you want to feel like a royal, they even rent bedrooms to visitors whoplan in advance.Inveraray-Castle.com

The rooms in this former baronial mansion on Loch Lomond near Glasgow are the epitome of masculine chic, thanks to Scottish designer Gavin Crawford. The swagger continues at the Cameron Grill and the Great Scots Bar, where there are more than 200 whiskies available. For something a bit breezier, nip down to the Boathouse for fresh seafood, and watch Cessna seaplane tours take off and land on the lake. PreferredHotels.com

The 350 acres of luxury accommodations include an epic hotel and a Michelin-starred restaurant with a 40-page wine list. We were wowed by Eriska’s mix of classic service and modern touches (the spa, with its sleek wood design, is notably contemporary). This is the anti-island getaway, where posh details take the place of castaway fantasies. www.Eriska-Hotel.co.uk