The busy towns of Edinburgh and Glasgow, the Scottish Highlands, the Loch Ness Monster, beaches, bagpipes, and legendary mountains can all be found in Scotland, the northernmost point of the United Kingdom. and a great deal of magic.
That’s correct, Scotland is home to numerous Harry Potter movie locations in addition to being the original writing location for J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Do you think of yourself as an avid HP fan? You should definitely be traveling to the Highlands.
Edinburgh
Scotland’s city, Edinburgh, is where J.K. Rowling started out with her Potter scheming back in the early 1990s. Fans of Harry Potter would be crazy to overlook the clear connections between the series’ locations and Edinburgh’s medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, and narrow lanes. J.K. Rowling wrote the early drafts of the first few chapters of Harry Potter and the Philosopher Stone, one of the most beloved fantasy books ever, in the charming cafés of Edinburgh.
Edinburgh, the greenest city in Scotland, is endowed with a multitude of green places where visitors may enjoy the best of nature year-round.
Whether it’s strolling among crunchy autumn leaves or putting your toes in a sandy beach bathed in sunlight, our 12-month calendar demonstrates how to take advantage of Edinburgh’s natural beauty throughout the year.
Prepare to clear your head, energize your body, and fill your lungs with clean air—the entire city is full of parks, forests, beaches, and hills that are just waiting to be discovered.
Visit the charming village of Dean Village and travel back in time. It’s amazing to think that this peaceful neighborhood, with the Water of Leith running through it and once home to mills, is only a short drive from the city center.
Admire the stunning sunset over Edinburgh’s historic buildings from Waverly Bridge, which faces the Old Town of the city.
Admire the reflections on the Shore at Leith that like mirrors on a calm day. Next, replenish your energy with a warm beverage from one of the region’s delectable coffee shops, such Mimi’s Bakehouse, Printworks Coffee, or The Old Spence Café.
The Elephant House Cafe
Claiming to be “The Birthplace of Harry Potter,” this was J.K. Rowling’s preferred coffee shop for inspiration. The Elephant House, with its stunning view of Edinburgh Castle, is the inspiration for the fantastical world of witches and wizards. Though a large portion of The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Chamber of Secrets were written here, J.K. Rowling really wrote the first few chapters of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone at Spoon Café, which was formerly known as Nicholas Café. In any case, these cafés provide an opportunity to relax in the original setting while enjoying coffee and cakes, of course.
The Elephant House is a luxury tea, coffee, and restaurant establishment.
The Elephant House, which opened in 1995, has made a name for itself as one of Edinburgh’s greatest tea and coffee shops.
The Elephant House is considered the “birthplace” of the Harry Potter novel series since it is where author J.K. Rowling wrote her first book, which was published while she was working on it in the back room with a view of Edinburgh Castle.
Among the many famous authors who have visited The Elephant House over the years are Ian Rankin, the creator of the best-selling Rebus books, and Alexander McCall-Smith, the author of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency and other novel series.
Feel the magic for yourself. Come have a cup of tea or coffee with us before heading out to explore Edinburgh’s historic district.
Lochaber’s Glenfinnan Viaduct
Immediately recognizable from the opening scene of the Chamber of Secrets, the 380-meter-long and 31-meter-high Victorian Railway Bridge is all that’s lacking from this picture is Harry and Ron flying overhead in the Weasleys’ enchanted Ford Anglia. The Hogwarts Express stops on the bridge at the head of Loch Shiel, which is also the location of Harry’s first meeting with a Dementor in the Prisoner of Azkaban. The Jacobite Steam Train, dubbed “the greatest railway journey in the world,” will take you on an 84-mile round trip from Ben Nevis, stopping in the village of Glenfinnan and crossing the 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct where you’ll get to enjoy the breathtaking scenic views, if you’re eager to relive this experience and risk running into a Dementor.Completed in 1898, the Glenfinnan viaduct in Scotland is regarded by many as the world’s first big mass concrete structure—well, since the Roman era, anyway—because its concrete piers and arches were built without reinforcing. It carries the West Highland Railway line, which is considered one of the world’s most picturesque railway excursions, on its final stretch between the fishing port of Mallaig and Fort William, some 20 miles to the east. Although not the only viaduct on the route, the Glenfinnan viaduct is the biggest.
The Glen Nevis Steall Falls
Known primarily for being the second-highest waterfall in Britain, Steall Fall is also featured in many famous Potter scenes. However, what really gets our Potter hearts racing is the waterfall’s use as a backdrop for Quidditch matches and as the location of Harry’s fight with a Hungarian Horntail dragon in the Goblet of Fire.
To get to the breathtaking Steall Falls, this amazing two-mile walk climbs through Glen Nevis on a steep, rollercoaster trail. This place embodies the essence of the Scottish Highlands with its picturesque hillside woodland, flowing river, and breathtaking mountain views.
The John Muir Trust looks after Glen Nevis, an area with ancient woods covering its slopes that includes stunning stands of alder, ash, birch, elm, aspen, and Scots pine. Willow warblers, finches, and tree pipits can be seen in this beautiful forest, which is especially green in the spring.
Below, white waterfalls cascade over rock that has been sculpted into some incredible formations over many millennia by the raging waters of the River Nevis.
Past the narrow entrance of the gorge, the walk’s outer half ends at the enticing alpine glen of Steall Meadows. This lovely location is dotted with a variety of vibrantly colored wildflowers that bloom in the spring and summer, and dippers and sandpipers can be seen darting around the River Nevis’s now-languid flow.
Cromarty, Ross, and Black Rock Gorge
Harry first hides in this striking, 120-foot-deep valley from the Hungarian Horntail before making his way to the Steall Falls. Lady Balconie, a local noblewoman, is rumored to haunt the gorge. Locals frequently report hearing the spectral spirit’s cries from the top of the gorge, even though they haven’t seen her. Or is Moaning Myrtle simply taking a walk.In the heart of Evanton, park in the lot across from the Cornerstone cafe and bookstore. Head towards an outstanding historic church that is now a private property by crossing the main road and taking the route between the Co-op and the Post Office. After making a right turn onto Camden Street, continue on this until it stops at the signposted uphill bend on the left. After passing a few buildings, stay on the main track as it becomes tree-lined. Proceed forward, disregarding the paths that lead to residential gardens, at intersections.
Evanton’s lovely woodland was given up to the local community a little over 11 years ago. You might be surprised to learn that the management of this unique location was more progressive even before that.
Situated just a short stroll from the town center, this location offers a great combination of trees and colors. Every turn offers a new experience, with towering Douglas firs and stunning willows, beeches, and birches among the trees.
There’s space under the canopy here, unlike in many plantation woodlands, and taking a walk is a great way to pass the time. A sizable map board at the main entrance to the woods indicates the location of the paths, which include a sizable children’s play area near the beginning with a Nessie figure.
Highland’s Glen Coe
Glen Coe is just another fantastic place. Its striking terrain and volcanic beginnings were used as background images in several Harry Potter films, including Prisoner of Azkaban. But maybe the most iconic scene of them is when Hermione gives Malfoy the finger salute. It’s the quintessential moment of girl power.With good reason, Glen Coe is arguably the most well-known and picturesque Highland glen in Scotland. Year after year, tourists from all over the world come here, drawn by the mystery of its stormy past and mesmerized by the sheer size and magnificence of the surrounding mountains.Most people’s first impression of Glencoe is of the grand and commanding peak of Buachaille Etive Mor, also known as The Great Herdsman of Etive, which rises over the desolate Rannoch Moor. The major route from the south, the A82, climbs to a height of more than a thousand feet across the vast Rannoch wilderness before descending gradually through the glen itself.
Keep an eye out for Scotland’s first ski resort, White Corries, which offers moor views, before you arrive at the Buachaille. As it meanders toward Fort William, the well-traveled long-distance route, the West Highland Way, passes beneath the chairlift from the Black Mount and then crosses over toward the Devil’s Staircase.
Beneath the massive pyramid of the Buachaille, to the southwest, lies the secluded and breathtaking Glen Etive. The 13-mile stretch of the narrow single-track road winds its way down Glen Etive to the head of Loch Etive before coming to an end.
Glen Coe’s glen runs east/west, flanked on both sides by mountains with sharp edges. The Aonach Eagach ridge, a sharp and rocky ridge to the north, presents a difficult day’s hike even for seasoned climbers. It should come as no surprise that most mountaineers consider hiking the ridge a “must do” given the breathtaking vistas they get of Ben Nevis and the Mamores from its peak.
