Harry Potter Locations in and around Edinburgh

J.K. Rowling’s inspiration

Diagon Alley / Victoria Street

It's easy to see where J.K. Rowling got her inspiration for Diagon Alley. Victoria Street curves down towards the Grassmarket and is within Edinburgh's Old Town - recognised as a World Heritage site. The eclectic mix of narrow, medieval buildings and Gothic spires is pure Potter magic.

Vicotoria Street is a street on two levels and home to many characterful, independent shops. Browse the novelty joke shop, Aha Ha Ha Jokes (reminiscent of the Wesley twins' joke shop), or the rare second-hand bookstore, The Armchair Books, amongst many others. There's even a Potter-themed shop, Museum Context, with an eclectic jamboree of wizardry, wands, and unusual artefacts. The entirety of this quirky street seems straight out of the Potter books - a picture-perfect Diagon Alley, and a superb place to hunt for souvenirs.

Tom Riddles Grave / Greyfriars Kirkyard

Greyfriars Kirkyard is a hauntingly beautiful old graveyard - also within Edinburgh's Old Town. Overlooking Edinburgh Castle, it is home to the real-life grave of Thomas Riddell Esquire.

Many old Edinburgh luminaries are also buried here. Among the ancient stones and mausoleums are found the graves of Elizabeth Moodie and William McGonagall. It's possible that these names and graves inspired the characters Mad-Eye Moody and Professor McGonagall.

Hogwarts / George Heriots School

George Heriots School is generally accepted as the inspiration for Hogwarts. With its castle-like turrets and battlements, it appears as if straight from a fairytale. It was founded in 1628 as a school for "puir faitherless bairns", (Scots: poor, fatherless children or orphans) - just like Harry Potter himself.

As it is a functioning school, it is not open for tours. However, its façade and turrets can be glimpsed from Lauriston Place and Greyfriars Kirkyard.

JK Rowling’s writing rooms

It was in Edinburgh that JK Rowling started to write the adventures of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The city's enchanted and winding cobbled streets exhibit historical layer upon layer of architecture and character. In many parts of the Old Town, the street plans date back to Mediaeval times - and with just a little imagination, magic is woven into the very fabric of the city. Edinburgh certainly has more than a few things in common with many of the settings from the books and films.

Tasty Treats:

The Elephant House

The Elephant House café is the self-proclaimed ‘birthplace of Harry Potter’. J.K. Rowling supposedly penned the first of the Harry Potter books, ‘Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone’, here. The café boasts views out over the Old Town streets, Greyfriars Kirkyard and you might glimpse George Heriots School.

Many other Edinburgh cafés also claim to have hosted the author. However, the Elephant House has proof; there’s a (surprisingly low-key) wall with photos of Rowling writing at a quiet table. Also (somewhat less low-key) their toilet attracts fan-graffiti in homage to Rowling. Humorous comments abound, such as, ‘This way to the ministry', with arrows pointing to the toilet bowl. A hilarious reference from the Ministry of Magic’s toilet bowl entrance in ‘The Deathly Hallows’.

The Balmoral

The Balmoral is a historic railway hotel at the East End of Princes Street. It is both a city landmark and an Edinburgh institution. Rowling also wrote her last Potter book here, ‘The Deathly Hallows’.

The hotel's "J.K. Rowling Suite" (with marble bust signed by Rowling, writing desk, and brass owl door-knocker) might stretch budgets. High-tea in the Palm Court is quite reasonably priced, however, and makes for a decadent treat in Potter splendour. Freshly brewed tea and the finest cucumber sandwiches prevail over butterbeer though!

Supper at Hogwarts / The Witchery by the Castle

For a truly unique dining experience head to the Witchery, located in a collection of historic buildings at the gates to the Castle. This is one of Scotland's most famous restaurants and not too dissimilar to Hogwarts in some ways! Dozens of antique candlesticks atmospherically light the dining room's oak paneling and historic stone walls.

The Lookout

If you would prefer to ‘look out’ over J.K. Rowling's inspirational city head to The Lookout by Gardener’s Cottage. Built on a cantilever, the restaurant is partially suspended over Calton Hill’s northwest slope. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows offer inspirational panoramic views across Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth.

Magical Tours & Experiences

On The Potter Trail

Grab a wand and join your Hogwarts guide on Potter Trail - the only tour in Edinburgh designed especially for Potter fans. Join this spellbinding, free tour to make sure you get the most out of the city that inspired Harry Potter. Even if you’re not a Harry fan, there’s still plenty to entertain. The tour is lively, atmospheric, and full of colourful characters from Edinburgh’s mysterious past. Suitable for families and muggles are welcome! See details...

Ghost Tours - A date with a Death-Eater

Whilst not necessarily Harry themed, there are some brilliant ghost-tours in Edinburgh - many of which are likely to appeal to the average Potterhead. Most delve into the capital's fairly gruesome past and how it treated its witches!

Some are more light-hearted than others and the routes vary from historic streets to ancient underground arches. Some venture into the areas of Greyfriars Kirkyard hidden from the public! There’s also the Ghost Bus with an uncanny resemblance to the Knight Bus in ‘The Prisoner of Azkaban’.

• Mercat Ghost Tours (including tours for kids + languages other than English)
• Ghost Bus Tours - "The UK's only comedy-horror theatre experience on wheels".
• City of the Dead Tours - Terrifying underground & graveyard tours (also tours for kids)
• The Real Mary King's Close - An underground glimpse into a preserved, genuine 17th Century street.
• Cadies & Witchery Tours - Tours to suit all ages in The Old Town

Edinburgh's ode to J.K.

The Writers Museum

The Writers' Museum was established to celebrate Edinburgh becoming the first UNESCO City of Literature. It features works from the great writers who lived and wrote in Edinburgh such as Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Burns, and J.K. Rowling.

Edinburgh City Chambers

J.K.'s Edinburgh Award is acknowledged in a secret shrine to the author. It can be found in the quiet courtyard outside the Edinburgh City Chambers.

On receiving the award, Rowling said, "I think it is particularly appropriate for a writer's hands to be represented, so I am deeply honoured to have my keyboard-chipped fingernails, not to mention my pen-induced friction callous, commemorated in the place where I produced Harry Potter."

Scottish Owl Centre

On every aspiring wizard's wish list is an owl. Visit the Scottish Owl Centre for magical flying displays and a chance to meet Fetlar and Oulu. Fetla is a beautiful Snowy Owl like Hedwig. Oulu is a majestic Great Grey Owl who happens to be the real sister of Errol, Ron’s hapless bird in Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets.

Bo’Ness Motor Musem

Ron Weasley's Ford Anglia, seen flying over the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets, has finally touched down in Bo'ness Motor Museum. Get there quick before it takes off again!

Lunch

Why not lunch at Jupiter Artland, which is magical in its own way? Swirling land-art and thought-provoking sculpture complement the beautiful grounds of Bonnington House. Hermione would approve!

Forage like Professor Sprout

For foraging experiences that Professor Sprout would be proud of see:

• Monica Wilde runs various courses on foraging for wild medicine, seaweeds, and fungi. Season dependent. See details...

A day-trip to the Scottish Borders

Alnwick Castle & Gardens

Drive through the stunning Scottish Borders region and into Northumberland to visit the imposing Alnwick Castle. During filming, the castle was used for most interior scenes at Hogwarts. The castle even offer broomstick flying lessons!

Alnwick Gardens are stunning for many reasons but the Hogwarts magic is particularly captured in the deadly Poison Garden. The fascinating poison garden and accompanying tours conjure memories of Harry's days in the greenhouses with Professor Sprout. Children will adore the mazes to designed to confound and lose yourself in, and it's hard to resist the fantastical fountain displays.

The town of Alnwick itself boasts a rambling and quirky secondhand bookshop. It's open-fires and armchairs complete the experience. Barter Books is based in the old railway station house - a dream for the Potter fan.

Harry's Magic in the Borders

When driving through the Scottish Borders, take time to visit the Hogwarts-like Abbotsford House (home to fellow writer Sir Walter Scott). Traverse the Leaderfoot viaduct (not dissimilar to the Glenfinnan viaduct further north) and stop for lunch in the quaint winding streets of Melrose (a perfect double for the village of Hogsmeade).

If you have time, Robert Smail's printing workshop is well worth a visit. Here you could print some ‘Undesirable No. 1’ wanted posters using original letter-press techniques. Mellerstaine House’s Magical Borders Sculpture Park is also a must see...

Hogwarts in Glasgow

Glasgow Cathedral

Walk into Glasgow Cathedral and be transported straight into the Great Hall of Hogwarts (albeit minus the magical floating candles).

Although the filming was actually in Alnwick Castle, the University of Glasgow’s architecture bears an uncanny likeness to the School of Witchcraft & Wizardry. Its atmospheric cloisters make it a great spot for fans of architecture, photography and Potter alike. The courtyard looks just like the location where Harry first mastered his broomstick in ‘Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone’.

Lunch

While there, take the opportunity to explore the eateries of Ashton Lane. This hidden gem in the West End of Glasgow is home to the Ubiquitous Chip and Grosvenor Cinema - a cinematic institution available for private hire for the ultimate Potter film fix.