The magnificent scenery is like a magical wonderland that inspires endless imagination and creativity from the ancient snow-capped mountains and deep lakes to the classical manor houses and castles to the cultural metropolises.
Edinburgh J.K. Rowling created the popular novel “Harry Potter”. She wrote in Edinburgh‘s cafe, but also in Edinburgh found Voldemort, Diagon Alley, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, etc. inspiration; Scotland can be said to be the prototype of the world of “Harry Potter”, and you can see traces of Harry Potter everywhere.
When you set foot on this land, you can also be inspired by the wizarding world! Let’s visit the famous Harry Potter locations in Scotland!
Edinburgh Scotland – Harry Potter Birthplace
The Balmoral Hotel must be a monumental hit for Harry Potter fans. J.K. Rowling finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at this Edinburgh landmark hotel at 1 Princes Street.
Today, the room where J.K. Rowling wrote is perfectly preserved and named the J.K. Rowling Suite. When you knock on the owl-shaped doorway, the first thing you see is a marble bust of Hermes signed by J.K. Rowling. Shelves of Harry Potter books and a stag statue, symbolising the patron saint of Harry Potter, add to the room’s charm.
In addition to the Harry Potter saga, the Balmoral Castle Hotel’s 190-foot-tall (58-metre) Centenary Clock Tower is a landmark Edinburgh attraction, a continuation of the ornate Victorian architectural style that adds a unique and historic flavour to the city’s skyline.
Food is naturally a feast for the tongue at the Balmoral Castle Hotel, a century-old luxury hotel! The hotel’s Brasserie Prince restaurant skilfully blends classic French cooking with Edinburgh’s fresh local ingredients, making every bite a romantic encounter with Scotland! When you’re done dining, head to the hotel’s SCOTCH Bar, which features over 500 unique whiskies, and enjoy an evening with whiskies from the Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside and other regions!
The Elephant House in Edinburgh’s Old Town is a must-visit destination for ha-ha fans worldwide! Although the cafe is closed, it’s still a place of magical origin worth visiting! The cafe’s door frame reads “The Birthplace of Harry Potter” in gold lettering. It was here that J.K. Rowling completed the first book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone while looking out over Edinburgh Castle!
Hogwarts-University of Glasgow
Want to catch a glimpse of the magical glamour of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry’s high-rise castle in real life? The University of Glasgow, founded in 1451 and Scotland’s second-oldest university, won’t disappoint—it’s a real-life version of Hogwarts!
The Gothic Revival-style spires tower above you like a wizard’s tower, and you can’t help but wonder if a senior student will pop up around the corner, wand in hand, nodding at you.
The Cloisters at the University of Glasgow are like the gateway to the wizarding world that Muggles dream of, with long corridors that seem to lead to magical classrooms full of secrets, and behind every door is a thrilling adventure.
In addition to its magical connection with Harry Potter, the University of Glasgow itself is a prestigious university with a long history and a wealth of talent. Many of the pioneers of modern science, such as Adam Smith, the father of economics, and James Watt, the improver of the steam engine, studied here, and Albert Einstein received his honorary doctorate at the University of Glasgow in 1933!
Flying Viaduct-Glenfinnan Viaduct
Along with the quaint University of Glasgow, the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Fort William is a direct setting for a Harry Potter film.
The scene in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets where the Hogwarts Express and the flying blue Ford leap over the viaduct was filmed at the Glenfinnan Viaduct! The viaduct stands near the village of Glenfinnan and winds through the picturesque valley like a wizard’s wand. As the steam train whizzes over the viaduct, white vapour billowing skywards, it is as if the door of time has opened and you have travelled into the magical world.
Also worth a visit to Fort William are the breathtaking views of the ‘King of the Mountains’, Ben Nevis. At 1,347 metres, it is Britain’s highest peak. Once a huge active volcano that erupted and collapsed inwards millions of years ago, Ben Nevis towered above glistening lakes and deep glacial valleys.
Hogwarts Express-The Jacobite Steam Train
Ready for a stunning railway journey through the West Highlands of Scotland? The Jacobite Steam Train, also known as the Hogwarts Express, leaves Fort William every morning at 10.15 am and arrives in Mallaig at 12.25 pm, taking you through the fairytale beauty of Scotland.
Sitting in a comfortable seat, you’ll feel the otherworldly charm of an old-fashioned steam train. Outside the window, the classic green carriages and the whistling sound of the wind blowing through them seem to transport you back in time. The steam and noise create the feeling of a time machine, immersing you in a wonderful retro journey. As the train slowly moves forward, the scenery outside the window is like a painting slowly unfolding, with the golds, oranges and reds of autumn colouring the mountains and valleys of the Highlands into a warm palette.
The terminal, Mallaig Quay, was once the busiest herring harbour in Europe. To this day, it is still an important source of delicious oak-smoked pickerel. So you can stroll around Mallaig Quay after a morning’s travel on the Hogwarts Express and soak up the seaside town’s reverence for the sea and its love of seafood.
The Lake Saga-Steal Falls
On the Hogwarts train, we travel through the picturesque mountains between the glens and lakes in search of Harry Potter’s magical touch! Steal Falls, also known as An Steall Bàn, means ‘white jet’ in Gaelic. As the name suggests, the river races down from the top of the mountain. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the Falls of Steall became the dramatic stage for the Triwizard Tournament.
The waterfall is like a magical realm descending from the sky, creating a mysterious, magnificent atmosphere for the film. Harry, Hermione and Ron battle it out in this mesmerising natural backdrop, making the place a sacred place in the hearts of Harry Potter fans.
Hagrid’s hut-Clachaig Inn
The Clachaig Inn in the heart of Glencoe is a place that is uniquely featured in film memories. Nestled in the heart of Glencoe, the Clachaig Inn has been a convenient stopover for weary walkers through the glen for generations. At the same time, the Clachaig Inn was the location for filming Hagrid’s Hut in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Staying at the Clachaig Inn, you can lie in bed and look out the window to glimpse the gully that runs through the Glencoe Mountains. It stretches from the inn to a height of nearly 3,000 feet (over 900 metres), and this crevasse resembles a work of nature’s art, cutting vertically through the mountain ridge.
FAQ
Why is Edinburgh known for Harry Potter?
J.K. Rowling lived in Edinburgh while working on the early Harry Potter novels, and the city’s streets, landmarks and atmosphere have inspired several aspects of the series. The Elephant House Café, Victoria Street, Greyfriars Kirkyard, and The Balmoral Hotel are all well-known examples.
Where is the real Hogwarts castle in Scotland?
The real Hogwarts castle, as depicted in the Harry Potter films, is not an actual castle in Scotland. Instead, multiple castles and locations across the United Kingdom were used to bring Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to life on screen.
Is Harry Potter based on Scotland, Edinburgh, or Glasgow?
While elements of the Harry Potter series were inspired by various locations in Scotland, including Edinburgh, it’s important to note that the series as a whole is not explicitly based on either Edinburgh or Glasgow. Edinburgh, where Rowling lived and wrote many Harry Potter novels, certainly significantly shaped the series. The city’s historic streets, landmarks, and atmosphere inspired several aspects of the books, including the magical setting of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the charming streets of Diagon Alley.
While Glasgow may not have had as direct an influence on the Harry Potter series as Edinburgh, Scotland has a rich history and landscape that likely contributed to Rowling’s imagination and creative process. Additionally, Scotland’s cultural heritage and folklore may have influenced elements of the series, such as the Scottish roots of some characters and creatures.
