Ultimate Scotland Itinerary for Harry Potter Fans | 10+ Things to Do

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published in 1997 and has since turned into a worldwide phenomenon. Real world locations, like the Glenfinnan Viaduct or the gravestone of people who inspired the characters exponentially increased in yearly visitors because of the franchise. The Harry Potter franchise is worth at least $40 billion and people have certainly capitalized on the obsession of fans. This Harry Potter Scotland Itinerary is filled with filming locations, places that inspired characters or locations in the books, recommended walking tours, and more! For people like me (huge fans), this itinerary will feed that part of your soul that loves all things Harry Potter. The pictures and memories you can look back at for years to come will be worth it!

Harry Potter Train (Jacobite Steam Train)

The Hogwarts Express takes Harry Potter and his cohorts from King’s Cross Station in London to Hogwarts. J.K. Rowling has stated that she always thought Hogwarts was in Scotland and filming locations put stock into that statement. The Jacobite Steam Train is a real train that travels from Fort William to Mallaig in the Scottish highlands. The steam engine and carriages were provided for filming the movies and is the real Hogwarts train. Scenes, such as when Harry, Ron and Hermione all meet on the Hogwarts Express in the Philosopher’s Stone, were filmed with the carriages. That’s what makes this experience even better: you can book the trip on the Jacobite Steam Train and ride the Hogwarts Express yourself! The trip takes about 5 hours total: 2 hours from Fort William to Mallaig, an hour spent in Mallaig and then returning to Fort William. The First Class Compartment Carriage sits up to six people and is known as the “Harry Potter Compartment”. It costs £349 total.

Harry Potter Bridge (Glenfinnan Bridge)

An iconic shot of the Hogwarts Express is as it passes through the Scottish Highlands over the Glenfinnan Viaduct. As Ron and Harry fly the Ford Angela over the train, you can see the Glenfinnan Viaduct in the movie scene. The train passes the viaduct four times a day, but you’ll want to be there around 10:30 AM or 3:30 PM to get the train coming towards you. You can book a tour to the viaduct, or drive there yourself. Make sure to get there early if you drive yourself because parking is limited!

Read more: Glenfinnan Viaduct Tips to Visit and Take the Best Photos

Edinburgh Harry Potter Walking Tour

A lot of inspiration for characters, character names, and locations in the books are in Edinburgh. A Harry Potter Walking Tour is perfect for fans! I recommend The Potter Trail and you do have to book in advance. Walking tours are by donation and take about 2 hours. Answer questions correctly and you can win points for your house.

Elephant House, Edinburgh

If you Google “What café did J. K. Rowling write in”, you’ll get the Elephant House in Edinburgh. The café opened in 1995 and J. K. Rowling confirmed she wrote parts of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in the café. Unfortunately the café was burned in August 2021 and the owners are working on reopening the café. In the meantime, they have opened a temporary location on Victoria Street that you can check out!

Nicolson’s Cafe, Edinburgh

Have no fear – a second cafe known for being a place J. K. Rowling wrote parts of the books is Nicolson’s Cafe. You can stop by the cafe in Edinburgh for a tea or food.

Diagon Alley (Victoria Street, Edinburgh)

There are a few streets that claim to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley, and Victoria Street in Edinburgh is one of them. It’s not hard to imagine why this street inspired Diagon Alley with it’s curving street and bright storefronts! There are also two stores on Victoria Street that sell Harry Potter and related items: Museum Context and The Enchanted Galaxy. I recommend the Museum Context: three stories filled with magical souvenirs! If you’re looking for a photo from above, head to the Victoria Terrace off NCR 75.

Greyfriars Kirkyard

Two important characters were named after real people who are buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard: Tom Riddle and Minerva McGonagall:

• William Topaz Mcgonagall was born and died in Greyfriars parish Edinburgh. But he moved to Dundee finding work as a weaver. One day a strange feeling stole over him, and “a flame seemed to kindle up my entire frame with a strong desire to write poetry”. A legend began. Source
• It has been reported that the grave of Thomas Riddell – a general who died on 24 November 1806 at the age of 72 – in Greyfriar’s Cemetery could have inspired JK Rowling when she was naming the character, although the spelling differs. Source

The Final Harry Potter Chapter: The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh

The final chapter of the entire Harry Potter series (The Epilogue) was written in the Balmoral Hotel. You *can* book the J.K. Rowling suite but the price is about £2,500 per night. If that’s out of your budget (it definitely is out of mine) sometimes you can ask nicely if you can visit it if no one is staying in the suite. J.K. Rowling signed one of the marble busts when she finished the series and it is locked in a clear case in the room.

George Heriot’s School

For a while it was thought that the idea for the four houses of Hogwarts comes from the four houses of George Heriot’s School in Edinburgh. The school sorted boys into four houses: Lauriston, Greyfriars, Raeburn and Castle. While J.K. Rowling has officially debunked that myth, it’s still a great place to visit and included in many Harry Potter tours in the city.

J.K. Rowling’s handprints

Head to the City Chambers on the Royal Mile to find J.K. Rowling’s handprints.

The University of Glasgow

While the University of Glasgow doesn’t have any actual ties to the Harry Potter franchise, it’s hard to imagine why no filming took place here. The campus is stunning and the University Cloisters give major Harry Potter vibes.

Alnwick Castle

Okay, Alnwick Castle is technically in England but it’s right near the Scotland border. Filming took place both inside and outside the castle. You do need to book in advance because capacity is limited. You can even take Broomstick Flying lessons!

Looking for more Scotland content?

• Glenfinnan Viaduct Photo Tutorial | Easy Step by Step for Photos with NO People
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