Plans to reintroduce trips on a steam train made famous by the Harry Potter films from as early as next month were criticised yesterday.
Twice-daily journeys from Fort William to Mallaig on the historic Jacobite Steam Train are being advertised from May 1.
Operators West Coast Railways is offering return tickets on its website for £43 per adult.
Ian Blackford, MP for Ross, Skye & Lochaber, recently warned of tourists flocking north while lockdown measures are still in force.
He called plans to run the tourism train from the start of next month “unacceptable”.
“The First Minister has made it clear that restrictions will remain in place for some weeks.
“It would be completely unacceptable for West Coast Railways to continue to take bookings until lockdown is lifted.”
Highland tourism ambassador Willie Cameron said taking bookings before the lockdown had ended was “irresponsible”.
West Coast Railways had hoped to restart the Jacobite journeys as early as this month but this was postponed due to the ongoing crisis.
A spokesman said: “We made the decision with great regret. Many passengers come from all corners of the world to travel on the train.”
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