The Scotland Guide for Harry Potter Fans
Locations that will make anyone who’s read the books or seen the movies tear up from excitement and say “Ohhh, this is the place”
I love traveling and I love books, movies, series, and art, and… you get the point. On every trip, I try to visit at least one place that has been a source of inspiration, or location, for arts of any sort.
After coming back from my last week-long expedition to Scotland, I decided to start the “Ohhh, this is the place” series, in which I’ll be writing about special spots every book, art, or movie buff must visit (or at least read about).
What better way to start than with the most magical story of our times? (and one of my personal favorites). This one is for all the Harry Potter fans out there.
Scotland is an amazing country. It not only hosts the Edinburgh International Book Festival (the largest book event in the world), and single-handedly created the fried Mars bar; but is also the birthplace of many great authors such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Walter Scott, and Irvine Welsh. Book lovers have made it a pilgrimage destination for years, but since the late 00s, a new breed of literature lovers jump on planes and trains to go around the steep streets of Edinburgh and venture into the Highlands. They’re looking for the Chamber of Secrets, the Philosopher’s Stone, or the Goblet of Fire. They’re tracing the steps of Harry Potter. *Queue to HP soundtrack in your head*
Starting from Edinburgh, and going up the stunning northern landscapes, the road has several stops that would take weeks to visit and cherish properly. This is a list of four that will make every Potterhead get some serious goosebumps:
The Elephant House Cafe
This cozy and casual cafeteria in the historic area of Edinburgh is the self-proclaimed “birthplace of Harry Potter”.
Back in the 90s, when she was a single mom scraping by, J.K. Rowling found the perfect spot to start writing about ‘the boy who lived’ just a few steps from the National Library of Scotland. Legend has it that she would sit at the table by the window, looking out to a magnificent view of the Edinburg Castle, and scribble away for hours.
Years later, Rowling would become one of the wealthiest women in the world, but The Elephant stayed the same, except for the fact that it is now swarmed with tourists; and that it keeps her old pictures and articles framed on the wall, like a shrine that reminds the world where the story was born.
I’m aware that this sounds very sketchy, but when you’re there make sure to go to the restroom area, you’ll find a cool surprise on the walls.
The Elephant House: 21 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh
Victoria Street
Ever wonder how it would feel to get your wand after strolling around Diagon Alley? Well, you’ll feel like you’re one step away from Ollivanders when you walk down the cobblestones of Victoria Street.
Two levels of houses with colorful facades make this one of the most photographed streets of the city. The mix of gothic and modern-day architecture makes wanderers feel like they’re in another world. Maybe that’s the reason why the whole area is said to have been the inspiration for Diagon Alley.
Magic has always been linked to these cobble stone streets. In the 17th century, it was the home place of Major Thomas Weir, or the Wizard of the West Bow, who was executed under the charge of witchcraft and is said to be the inspiration for “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”.
Make sure to go and have a pint over at The Bow Bar, a super chill pub with good beer. It may not be the Leaky Cauldron, but it comes close!
The Bow Bar: 80 W Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2HH, UK
Going North: Lochaber
Three hours away from the city, hidden in the mountains of the Scottish Highlands is Lochaber, an enchanting place that carries great significance for the country’s history AND was chosen as the location for two of the most iconic moments in the HP series. In Lochaber you will find:
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Just a 10-minute walk up the mountain from the Visitor Center takes you to the perfect spot to see the bridge where once a year, the Hogwarts Express goes to the castle after departing Platform 9 3/4 of London’s Kings Cross.
The Victorian railway viaduct is instantly recognizable from two of the movies. It was first used in Chamber of Secrets when Ron and Harry pilot the flying Ford Anglia trying to catch the train. It was also the place where the Dementor attacks Harry for the first time when the train stops on the bridge in Prisoner of Azkaban.
If you go during the summer months, be on time to catch the train crossing. It’s an actual vintage train called the Jacobite steam train, it looks just like the one in the movies, and you can actually ride it if you plan properly beforehand.
Loch Shiel
The Black Lake, home to Hogwart’s Giant Squid, actually exists! Shiel was one of the two locations used to bring it to life. This specific lake is special because it’s where Buckbeak dips a toe in the water after he meets Harry and decides to take him for a ride in Prisoner of Azkaban.
It was also the stunning view where Harry and Hermione look out from the Astronomy Tower at the end of Half-Blood Prince.
The second part of this expedition is definitely a must, but for now, I’m off to another adventure (probably binge-watching the HP series… again).
Hope to see you soon in the next edition of the “Ohhh, this is the place” series!
