An great informative article on Harry Potter things by This is Edinburgh, Official guide to Edinburgh at http://edinburgh.org/. Check it out.. (Information sourced here)
Must-sees in Edinburgh for Harry Potter Fans
18 November 2016
- Category:
- things to do
The Harry Potter book series is surely well-known by almost everyone on the planet, but did you know that JK Rowling penned the world's favourite wizarding stories right here in Edinburgh? As you walk around the city, you can see the streets and sights that inspired the global sensation. Visit the locations in our guide and get a real sense of Hogwarts and the wizarding world, right here in Scotland's capital...
The Elephant House and Spoon Café
[Image by Alf Melin]
Start your journey where it all began. Before she made her millions with the Harry Potter books, JK Rowling would seek refuge from the cold and write her early manuscripts in Edinburgh's warm and welcoming cafés. The most notable is The Elephant House on George IV Bridge, where you'll find lots of tourists taking selfies in front of the sign marking the "birthplace" of Harry Potter.
If you want to avoid the crowds, walk around five minutes away to Spoon Café on Nicolson Street. The premises was previously occupied by Nicolsons Café, where Rowling is rumoured to have spent most of her time writing. The location is marked with an understated plaque on the corner of Drummond Street, so keep your eyes peeled!
Greyfriar's Kirkyard
In between her writing sessions in the Edinburgh cafés, JK Rowling would stroll around the streets of Edinburgh, which served as much of her inspiration for the Harry Potter universe. Perhaps somewhat morbidly, she would walk around the nearby Greyfriar's Kirkyard and look at the gravestones, with some of the names making their way into her books. Keep an eye out for McGonagalls, Potters, Scrymgeours and more.
However, undoubtedly the most famous resident in Greyfriars Kirkyard is Thomas Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort or "He who must not be named". Many fans make the pilgrimage here to pay tribute to the man who gave his name to the most evil of the wizarding world.
Victoria Street
Head across the Grassmarket and you'll find the curve of Victoria Street and The West Bow, where restaurants are stacked on top of shops tightly packed together in brightly painted buildings and selling oddities and trinkets.
It's no wonder then, that this colourful street is rumoured to have served as the inspiration of London's magical shopping thoroughfare Diagon Alley. Head along to the Grassmarket, soak up the atmosphere and pick up something unique as a souvenir from this curious street.
Not one, but two Diagon Houses
[Image by Diagon House]
Purveyors of all things Potter, Diagon House has two outlets, one at 40 Victoria Street, the other at 42-44 Cockburn Street, both welcoming muggles from far and wide to step into the world of Harry Potter and explore their wares. Both stores are small, independent and family-owned, and you might need to queue to get in - but if you do, it's worth it.
Diagon House sell Potter-themed paraphernalia to suit all pockets, from chocolate frogs and pin badges to stuffed Hedwigs and even the Nimbus 2000 quidditch stick. They're also the only Scottish stockist of the official Harry Potter scarves, real lambswool scarves available in Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor colours - and the only item of official licensed Harry Potter merchandise to be made in Scotland.
If Potter's your thing, Diagon House, located on the street that inspired Diagon Alley, is a must.
JK Rowling's Handprints
Just off the Royal Mile, you can find the famous author's handprints reproduced on a flagstone in the quadrangle in front of Edinburgh City Chambers. The prints were produced when JK Rowling was awarded the Edinburgh Award in 2008.
You'll also find the handprints of other recipients of the Award, including Sir Chris Hoy, Ian Rankin OBE and local hero Tom Gilzean.
George Heriot's School
Even though the location of Hogwarts has never been officially determined, rumour has it that JK Rowling based the magical school on George Heriot's School in Edinburgh's city centre. With four houses, four towers and breathtaking gothic architecture, you can understand why the author found it so inspiring.
It's rarely open to the public, but you can get a good view of it from George IV Bridge, Lauriston Place and Greyfriar's Kirkyard.
The Balmoral Hotel
The Balmoral is the pinnacle of luxury in Edinburgh and highlights JK Rowling’s rags to riches story. While she started her writing in the humble surroundings of the Edinburgh's cafés, she completed the last scenes of her final book in one of the hotel's grandest suites.
The suite, renamed the JK Rowling Suite in her honour, contains her writing desk and has a marble bust of Hermes, the Greek god of travel, signed by the author. Book ahead and stay the night here for the ultimate Harry Potter experience!
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