Walk in the Footsteps of Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling in Edinburgh (and Scotland)
Scotland's capital city witnessed the birth of much of the Harry Potter universe. Indeed, J.K. Rowling wrote several volumes of the saga there, drawing inspiration from several emblematic locations in the city.
Scotland's capital city witnessed the birth of much of the Harry Potter universe. Indeed, J.K. Rowling wrote several volumes of the saga there, drawing inspiration from several emblematic locations in the city to shape the magical world of Little Whinging. From the café where the first lines were written to the hotel where the final novel was completed: discover the must-see spots and walk in the footsteps of Harry Potter in Edinburgh (and Scotland)!
Edinburgh: A City of Importance in the Harry Potter Saga
Why the author drew inspiration from Edinburgh?
It's no secret anymore: the Harry Potter saga was written by J.K. Rowling during a difficult period in her life. Divorced and having just lost her mother, the author decided to move to Scotland's capital in 1993 to be closer to her sister.
Without employment (having just left her teaching position in Portugal to relocate), the British author continued writing her novel, begun years earlier, in Edinburgh cafés – notably to save on heating costs.
During this writing period, J.K. Rowling wandered extensively through the streets of the capital… These perambulations through the heart of the city nourished her imagination and brought to life in her mind the settings that would become, a few years later, iconic locations from the saga!
Where was Harry Potter filmed in Edinburgh?
The answer is simple: nowhere! That's precisely the paradox. Although Edinburgh inspired J.K. Rowling greatly during the writing of Harry Potter, the films were shot in other parts of Scotland, in London, or in studios. Nevertheless, the city remains intimately connected to the saga, allowing visitors to walk in the footsteps of Harry Potter, and above all, in the steps of its author!
6 Iconic Places to Walk in the Footsteps of Harry Potter in Edinburgh
1. The Elephant House: The Beginning of the Saga
The Elephant House is one of the most important locations in Harry Potter, as it's where it all began! Known as the cradle of the saga (where J.K. Rowling wrote the first lines of the Hogwarts world), the tea room proudly claims its status with the sign "The birthplace of Harry Potter" displayed in its window.
Note, however, that the current tea room is not exactly the one J.K. Rowling visited in the 1990s… The original was indeed victim of a fire in 2021 (which broke out on George IV Bridge).
In 2023, the venue reopened its doors at 30 Victoria Street (not far from its original address) where you can see the table where J.K. Rowling worked – miraculously preserved from the flames!
On site, you can order tea accompanied by a chocolate frog – the preferred sweet of young wizards in the shape of a frog. A playful nod to that scene where Harry opens a box and the chocolate frog jumps out before disappearing…
2. Victoria Street: Diagon Alley
Victoria Street is equally an unmissable location in the saga. Indeed, this street inspired the author for her famous Diagon Alley, as it's known in the Harry Potter universe.
It appears from the first novel (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone), when the young man buys a wand. This famous street subsequently disappears in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, following the destructive passage of the Death Eaters.
In reality, this winding street (named to honour Queen Victoria) is dotted with charming colourful facades and small shops. The street, with its neoclassical monuments, was created by architect Thomas Hamilton (1784–1858) during the city's great transformation. Due to its heritage value, the street was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995.
3. Edinburgh Castle: Hogwarts Castle in Scotland
Edinburgh Castle is also believed to be linked to Harry Potter's story. Although the author has never clearly stated that this 12th-century monument inspired her creation of Hogwarts Castle: the saga's castle, like Edinburgh's, sits perched atop a hill…
Moreover, the castle was visible from the original Elephant House address (before the fire) where J.K. Rowling wrote numerous chapters. Whether it inspired the author or not, it nonetheless deserves a visit. During your time there, you can admire its architecture, whose structure was modified several times over the centuries and through various conflicts…
Today, some parts of the castle serve military purposes while others are open for tourist visits. You can notably see a small chapel and witness the One O'Clock Gun – a tradition established in 1861. Allow approximately 2 hours for a visit. The castle is very popular, so consider booking ahead.
4. Greyfriars Kirkyard: The Origin of Characters
Another essential stop for Harry Potter fans? The famous Greyfriars Kirkyard! The cemetery where J.K. Rowling is said to have strolled extensively during the writing of her novels – and where she drew inspiration from several gravestones to name her characters…
You can see the graves of Tom Riddle (Tom Marvolo Riddle) – Voldemort's tomb! – as well as those of Elizabeth Moodie (who inspired the character of Alastor Mad Eye Moody) and William McGonagall Tombstone (to whom we may owe the character of Minerva McGonagall).
The place, peaceful and steeped in history, attracts many curious fans eager to walk in the novelist's footsteps… If you can't find all the graves, don't hesitate to use Google Maps where community bookmarks indicate their locations. Address: Greyfriars Place, Edinburgh EH1 2QQ.
5. George Heriot's School: A School With a Hogwarts-like Appearance
Four minutes' walk from the cemetery stands George Heriot's School. This college, built in 1628, was once an orphanage. The building features Renaissance-style architecture and sandstone facades. Here again, nothing confirms that it inspired the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry…
Nevertheless, we can note similarities between Hogwarts and this location (situated at Lauriston Pl, Edinburgh EH3 9EQ), including a quadrilateral structure and four outbuildings similar to Hogwarts' "houses."
An anecdote? The author's children were schooled at George Heriot's School. Harry Potter enthusiasts don't hesitate to claim that J.K. Rowling's children genuinely studied at Hogwarts!
Be aware that this is an active educational establishment not open to the public. However, you can admire it from the outside and from the Greyfriars Kirkyard gates.
6. The Balmoral Hotel: The End of the Saga
It was in a suite at the prestigious Balmoral Hotel that the very last chapter of the saga was written in 2007. By then, things were far removed from the difficult beginnings of the 1990s… Indeed, when she completed the seventh and final volume Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the author was world-famous.
Goodbye to Edinburgh's small cafés to save on heating! J.K. Rowling took up residence in suite no. 552 of the luxurious 5-star hotel, which she rented to work in peace (being unable to concentrate at home).
The author wrote her final lines there on January 11, 2007. On that occasion, she signed the marble bust of the god Hermes, positioned on her bedroom mantelpiece, and posted a tweet on social networks to announce the end of the saga: "Finished Hallows 9 yrs ago today. Celebrated by graffiti-ing a bust in my hotel room. Never do this. It's wrong."
To see the dedication with your own eyes? You'll need to spend between €1,500 and €2,700 per night to rent the suite! And you know what? The famous room (which now bears the author's name) must be booked for a minimum of two nights (and the signature is now under glass).
Failing to stay at the hotel, it's possible to enjoy an afternoon tea between 14:30 and 16:30 at the Palm Court – the hotel's tea room. For €80 per person, you can enjoy a hot beverage accompanied by sweet treats, all beneath a superb Venetian chandelier…
Following Harry Potter's Trail… Alone or on a Guided Tour? There are many tours following Harry Potter's trail in Edinburgh; both independently and on guided tours. The first option offers complete freedom but is less rich in anecdotes than a guided tour. For their part, circuits dedicated to the saga are not all of quality. Indeed, some guided tours convey approximate (or even false) explanations, much to the author's dismay. In 2024, J.K. Rowling criticized these excesses and mentioned the possibility of creating her own official route… Stay tuned! |
Other Experiences to Extend the Magic of Harry Potter in Edinburgh
See the Author's Handprints at City Chambers
On the grounds of City Chambers (the city hall), Edinburgh personalities have been invited to leave their handprints. Among them, those of J.K. Rowling. The author left her handprints in 2008 when she received the Edinburgh Award – a distinction given to personalities (honorary citizens) who have contributed to enhancing the city's standing.
And for good reason… Thanks to the saga, the author of Harry Potter attracted millions of foreign visitors to Scotland's capital!
Address: 253 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ. You'll find the author's handprints on the left as you enter the courtyard.
Create a Magical Cocktail
While drinking whisky in Scotland is an experience not to be missed, creating your own magical cocktail in Edinburgh is equally essential! Indeed, several bars offer playful activities to create delicious cocktails inspired by Harry Potter's magical atmosphere.
One of the emblematic addresses for this activity is the bar The Cauldron (57a Frederick St, Edinburgh EH2 1LH). For around €60 per person, you can create a cocktail based on a booklet (and pre-prepared ingredients for the workshop).
Clad in a wizard's cloak, you can slip into the role of an apprentice wizard and create a surprising beverage, complete with cauldron and alembic – and everything needed to concoct a smoking elixir! Be aware that these activities fill up quickly. Contact the establishment to reserve your spot.
Try a Mystical Escape Game
Like The Cauldron, the bar Department Of Magic (9 Blair St, Edinburgh EH1 1QR) also offers enchanted cocktail workshops (Magic Potions Tavern) – with the possibility of creating a non-alcoholic cocktail or even a magical tea, accompanied by sweets and smoking delights (for around €30 per person). Its other advantage? The bar is equipped with several escape rooms with a mysterious atmosphere where darkness and other occult forces evoke the Harry Potter universe…
Visit the Museum Context
Museum Context is a curiosity shop – not a true museum as its name might suggest. Decorated in a cavernous, ancient, and mysterious style, the shop specializes in decorative objects and unusual gifts (of quality and craftsmanship).
This boutique also sells a multitude of official Harry Potter products – hence its name often followed by the mention Retailer of Harry Potter Merchandise.
Located on the highly frequented Victoria Street, the shop attracts many tourists and you'll likely need to arm yourself with patience, as there's often a queue at the entrance, as if it were a museum.
Our take? Museum Context is an essential stop for die-hard fans who want to have a look. If you're simply curious, go early in the morning to avoid the tourist crowds… or skip it!
Beyond Edinburgh: Where Was Harry Potter Filmed in Scotland?
J.K. Rowling also drew inspiration from Scotland's raw and wild landscapes, whose mountains, lochs, and valleys of the Highlands contributed to shaping the distinctive atmosphere of the magical world of the saga. Here are the main Harry Potter filming locations in Scotland…
Glenfinnan Viaduct: Located near the village of the same name, this spot offers a breathtaking view of "Hogwarts Lake" (Loch Shiel). The bridge, situated on the Road to the Isles circuit, is visible in the second film, when Harry and Ron, aboard their flying car, nearly get hit by the train.
The town of Fort William: Has hosted the saga's filming crews several times. Notably visible is its Steall Falls waterfall (located in Glen Nevis valley), during the dragon task of the Triwizard Tournament, in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. About fifty kilometres away, Rannoch Moor also served as a setting for a scene in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, where Death Eaters intercept the train.
Glencoe: This charming picturesque village served as a setting for several exterior scenes in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. It features Rubeus Hagrid's hut, built for the occasion within the valley's wild landscapes, at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. The hut is also visible in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
University of Glasgow: If you pass through the area, take time to admire the stunning neo-Gothic architecture of this institution founded in 1451… While the university didn't host any filming, it may have inspired J.K. Rowling for the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (but there's no certainty on this matter).
FAQ - Your Questions Answered
Hogwarts Castle is in fact Alnwick Castle, located in the county of Northumberland in England. This magnificent structure from the late 11th century is highly sought-after for filming. It notably served as a set for the television series Downton Abbey.
Several Harry Potter scenes were filmed in Scotland, notably around Glenfinnan Viaduct (the Hogwarts Express) Loch Shiel (Hogwarts Lake) and more broadly across the Highlands. Other filming also took place elsewhere in the United Kingdom: in England (at Leavesden Studios, Oxford, London) and in Wales.
Although no scenes from the saga were filmed in Edinburgh, the city inspired J.K. Rowling in the 1990s when she was writing the early volumes. Taking a tour following Harry Potter's trail in Scotland's capital is a way to discover the behind-the-scenes of the saga, exploring the locations that inspired iconic scenes (and the places where the author wrote for months).
Frequently asked questions
Allow around half a day (about 3 to 4 hours) to visit the 6 main sites in Edinburgh on foot, as they're relatively close to each other in the historic centre (Old Town). If you'd like to include a complete visit to Edinburgh Castle, plan for a full day instead.
The Elephant House is one of the cafés where J.K. Rowling wrote parts of the first Harry Potter volumes in the 1990s. It claims the title of 'Birthplace of Harry Potter'. Following a fire in 2021, the café reopened in 2023 at 30 Victoria Street, even preserving the author's original table, which miraculously survived the flames.
No, George Heriot's School is an active private educational institution and is not open to the public. However, it's possible to admire its Renaissance-style architecture from the outside or from the Greyfriars Kirkyard gates, situated just 4 minutes away on foot.
Suite no. 552 at Balmoral Hotel, where J.K. Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in 2007, costs between €1,500 and €2,700 per night, with a minimum stay of two nights. For a more accessible budget, afternoon tea at the hotel's Palm Court is offered at around €80 per person.
Several Harry Potter filming locations are accessible in Scotland: Glenfinnan Viaduct (visible in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), Glen Nevis valley near Fort William (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), Rannoch Moor (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows), and the village of Glencoe with Hagrid's hut (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban).
