Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Dumbledore, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. These characters are now a part of our modern culture. Visit local filming sites and inspiring landscapes in Scotland to immerse you into this real-life magic world. We have put together a list of the 10 Scottish Locations Harry Potter fans must visit.
Harry Potter fans will find Scotland a magical place to explore the world created by J.K. Rowling. Many Scottish locations are the inspiration for famous settings in Harry Potter’s wizarding world, so they are must-see destinations. Edinburgh is an essential stop. The cobblestone streets in the Old Town, and the Edinburgh Castle’s towering structure were the inspiration for Diagon Alley as well as Hogwarts.
Rowling wrote some of Harry Potter’s early chapters in the Elephant House, and historic café located in Edinburgh. 10 Scottish Locations Harry Potter Fans Must Visit The picturesque Glenfinnan Viaduct is also featured in scenes from the Hogwarts Express. It offers stunning views of the Scottish Highlands. The hauntingly beautiful Glencoe inspired the Hogwarts landscape.
You’re probably a fan of either the books or movies. Our travel experts have compiled this blog of Harry Potter locations throughout Scotland. Add them to your list of things to do on your next trip to Scotland’s Highlands.
Did you know Hogwarts was supposed to be located in the Scottish Highlands? Did you know that JKR wrote part of her books in Edinburgh and that JK Rowling was a huge fan? You probably do, as you are a fan. Our list of the 10 Scottish Locations Harry Potter Fans Must Visit is here.
List Of 10 Scottish Locations Harry Potter Fans Must Visit In 2024
1) Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, is home to many Harry Potter locations and is one of the 10 Scottish locations Harry Potter fans must visit. This is because JK Rowling wrote the books here while she lived there.
The Elephant House Cafe is a popular writing location on the George IV Bridge, just off the Royal Mile.
Come and join the Harry Potter fans that flock to this cafe for a cup of coffee.
Sit down and wait as this is a very popular place. Don’t forget the toilets, as they are famously filled with quotes from books.
You can also walk along Victoria Street or Bow Street and admire the colorful shops and specialty shopping. Diagon Alley was reportedly inspired by this street.
The Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery is another top location you cannot miss. Some of the names you’ll recognize are on these graves.
You’ll also get to see the private school George Heriot which was said to be the inspiration for the creation of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
You can book one of many Old Town walking tours to get a better understanding of Edinburgh’s past and discover more Harry Potter connections.
2) Glasgow University
Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland and a buzzing center of music and arts is one of the 10 Scottish locations Harry Potter fans must visit. West End offers a great location to visit the Botanic Gardens Kelvingrove and University of Glasgow.
This university campus, with its gothic architecture and towers, as well as the courtyards and Cloisters that are famous, will make you think you’ve entered a real-life Hogwarts.
3) Rannoch Moor
We head north from Scotland’s historic towns to the rugged Highlands. Rannoch Moor is one of the best places to see the Scottish wilderness.
You’ll recognize this scenery if you pay attention to the film.
The Hogwarts express travels through it. This is the exact spot where Death Eaters boarded the train in Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1.
You can stop at a few scenic views just off of the A82 to enjoy the beauty of the Moor.
4) Glenfinnan Viaduct & Jacobite Steam Train
Most people who visit Scotland want to see this location because it is where Harry Potter was filmed. You can also make it a 2-in-1 trip if you take the steam-powered train that crosses the famous viaduct.
West Coast Railways includes the Harry Potter train and Scotland’s Jacobite Steam Train. The West Coast Railways also includes iconic rail journeys like the Flying Scotsman.
Book a steam train journey to ride the Hogwarts express and visit some of the Harry Potter filming sites along the way. The Jacobite runs between Fort William, Mallaig, and Fort William. You can make the trip back if you are staying in Fort William.
Between early April and the end of October, there is a morning service. From late April until early October, there is also an after-hours service.
You can still watch the steam train in action if you are on a road trip and don’t have time to ride it. If you’re lucky, you might be able to photograph the steam train crossing the viaduct at Glenfinnan.
It is worth a visit to the Glenfinnan Viaduct. You’ll recognize it from Chamber of Secrets when Ron and Harry steal a flying car to try and catch the train.
You can also admire the next filming locations from here…
5) Loch Shiel
The Hogwarts Lake, also known as Black Lake or Great Lake, is a major part of the campus in books and films. Loch Shiel in real life, near Fort William, and the Glenfinnan Viaduct were used as a model.
You’ll see this lake in many films. It is a beautiful place.
The Goblet of Fire used it to film the underwater challenge of the Triwizard Tournament. We can’t confirm if there are Merpeople living in Loch Shiel. We recommend that you stop at Glenfinnan to take in Loch Shiel’s beauty. This is something you’re likely to do anyway, based on where the filming took place. You can visit the Glenfinnan Monument or Visitor Centre nearby.
6) Glen Coe
Glen Coe, the most famous of Scotland’s glens or valleys, is worth a visit and is one of the 10 Scottish locations Harry Potter fans must visit. You’ll likely drive through Glen Coe on your road trip and on guided tours.
This is a destination that you must visit, so it comes as no surprise that this location is a favorite for filming. Harry Potter is no exception. Glen Coe and its stunning valley landscape have been featured in several different films.
You’ll recognize it from The Prisoner of Azkaban. Do you see Hagrid’s Hut?
7) Steall Falls, Glen Nevis
Another beautiful location is the Ben Nevis, Fort William area. Steall, with a drop of 120 meters (394 feet), is the second-highest waterfall in Scotland. This alone is worth the trip!
The valley in which the falls are located, Glen Nevis has appeared in several Harry Potter movies. Steall Falls can be seen in the background of Quidditch matches and Harry’s battle against a dragon when he appears in Goblet of Fire.
8) Lochs Arkaig (Etive and Eilt), Loch Etive and Loch Eilt
You’ll soon see why we had to include the three lochs into one. These amazing lakes were all used in the Deathly Hallows. The lakes added to the atmospheric Highland scenery of the epic finale to the series.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione flee Gringotts from Gringotts, flying on the back a dragon.
They fly from London all the way to Scotland. Then they dive deep into the lake while the dragon is flying away. Various sources claim that Loch Etive or Loch Arkaig was used to film the landing.
Whatever you decide to do, Scotland is a stunning backdrop.
Loch Arkaig and the Eilean Na Moine Island were also superimposed on Loch Eilt to create Dumbledore’s final resting spot. What a great fake location for Voldemort to grab the Elder Wand when he takes it in the Deathly hallows.
Jacobite Steam Train passengers will recognize the island’s iconic shape.
The locations have been digitally combined, making them even more impressive.
9) Victoria Street
Victoria Street in Edinburgh is one of Edinburgh’s most highly debated Harry Potter Sites. J.K. Rowling recently said that Victoria Street was not an inspiration for Diagon Alley, as many fans believed for a long while. It is, however, easy to see why fans would believe this
. Victoria Street has the same quirkiness and colorfulness to it. Even if this is not officially a Harry Potter location, I think fans made it one, and it is just fun to imagine!
10) Black Rock Gorge
Conclusion
One of the 10 Scottish locations Harry Potter fans must visit is the Black Rock Gorge, which was another natural location where Harry Potter films were filmed. Harry Potter filmed the dragon scene at this Harry Potter location.
The gorge can be easily explored in a 1.5-hour round trip. The walk begins in Evanston about 30 minutes from Inverness. Parking is available in front of the Cornerstone Cafe & Bookshop, located in the heart of Evanston Village.
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