Adventure Collective
Harry Potter Tour in Edinburgh with The Potter Tour - Edinburgh

Harry Potter Tour in Edinburgh with The Potter Tour

Edinburgheasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

1.5–2 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for most fitness levels; comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Overview

Discover the magic of Edinburgh through the eyes of JK Rowling on The Potter Tour. Walk the streets that inspired Harry Potter and learn about the city’s literary roots in this engaging adventure.

Walking Tour
Edinburgh, Scotland

JK Rowling’s Edinburgh & the writing of Harry Potter

4½ hours on JK & her inspirations ϟ For the keen

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About This Adventure

Embark on a magical journey through Edinburgh, tracing JK Rowling's inspiring path to success. Visit iconic locations like the Balmoral Hotel and the Elephant House, explore mythological themes at the Museum of Scotland, and uncover the secrets behind Harry Potter's creation. Experience the city's rich literary heritage and celebrate Rowling's legacy.

☞ Learn to use failure as a springboard, be inspired, stay committed & conquer the world. Discover the revelations that enthused her & the cafés which fueled her. Experience how, through grit & failure, buoyed by friendship & love, JK Rowling left footprints upon the world.

Act I ⬩ JK’s hard road to Potter

What we’ll see:

  • The Balmoral Hotel: The tour begins where Rowling finished. I acquired a magic hat from a witch and we separate people into houses. Pottermore sorted me into the Snaky house, so when they win the House contest I’m not dissatisfied. 😭 Brace for tears!

  • The Royal Mile, the melting pot of ‘Auld Reekie’ & Rowling citizen of the world. Rowling says Edinburgh’s guides shouldn’t hoard all the Harry Potter glory. But I’ll try my best anyway.

  • McEwan Hall, JK’s learning, she knows a thing or two.

  • Nicolsons, where Rowling wrote ‘huge parts’ of the Philosopher’s Stone. We‘ll discuss the development of the Philosopher’s Stone & the cafés strange sorcery.

  • Potterrow: did it gift the name of Britain’s most famous fictional hero? 🕵️ We’ll discuss the fan’s mythology behind this street & untangle the reality.

Act II ⬩ Harry’s inspirations 🔬

  • INSIDE the Museum of Scotland for mythological inspirations. Death is a major theme in the Harry Potter books. We’ll study the Millenium clock & delve into thematic connections.

  • In Rowling’s daughter’s favourite part of the museum, we’ll chat about Scottish mythology & connections to the Boy Who Lived. Venturing inside places is uncommon, I can because I have small groups & donate 💸

  • The mystery of Greyfriars Kirkyard.

  • “This is Hogwarts”, declared fans, “The finest school of witchcraft and wizardry in the world”. It isn’t. But we’ll have a look at George Heriot’s school and JK Rowling’s true relationship.

  • The grave of Tom ‘Voldemort’ Riddle. We’ll visit the Dark Lord’s grave, perhaps we’ll attempt a resurrection 💀 » 🔄 » 👦🏻

  • The Elephant House, our most famous ‘Harry Potter cafe’. Second novels are claimed to be the hardest, this is where Harry learned to crawl then broom (walking came later). The cafe has one of the best views of medieval Edinburgh, we’ll discuss how this influenced the Chamber of Secrets & beyond.

  • TRY Scottish whisky ice cream 🧨 Scottish ice cream is the best ice cream in Scotland! In the event of bovine lactate catalepsy 🌿 » 🐮 » 💤 I’ll offer Butterbeer, but be warned, it’s as expensive as it is sweet 😱

  • Victoria Street, Edinburgh’s winding wizarding street, is this Diagon Alley? NOPE! But it is the heart of wizarding commerce in Edinburgh. Lit by a torch of truth & motivated by a fan’s heart of love, we’ll climb up it & chat about some of our Diagon's Potter shops & what Rowling thinks 🤨

The final act 🏁

❝ There will be books written about Harry, every child in our world will know his name ❞ - The Philosopher’s Stone, Professor Minerva McGonagall.

Little did Rowling know it would prove true 🔮

  • The Dragon’s graveyard. Harry Potter never lets sleeping Dragons lie; neither shall we. Bring a stick, bring a ring, bring a wand, but leave your heart at home, else it won’t make it.

  • Writer’s Court & the writer’s museum, a splendid Scottish baronial style mansion house where we unpack JK’s ascent & touch on the Edinburgh writers’ tradition.

  • What’s easier than an Apparition test 💨 but harder than an O.W.L.? (Ordinary Wizarding Level) My quiz! Time for the House Cup presentation 🏆

  • JK Rowling’s Edinburgh Award.

☞ At the end of the saga, having taught a generation of kids to read across the globe, the honours began rolling in. ☞ 10 years of John Lithgow as Dumbledore with Rowling executive producing 🙏 ☞ 10 twisty ‘Robert Galbraith’ detective novels & a slick BBC series. Sensation & controversy at every Tweet. Rowling isn’t flagging.

🤯 Will my finale blow your socks off?

No, we’ll have burned those already, resurrecting the Dark Lord. Good for mopping blood.

The conclusion has been described as beautiful, but everything is subjective & sometimes people are kind; sometimes they’re lunatics.


What’s Included? 🧙‍♂️

Sam; look for the wizard robes, he’s a total dork.

Adventure Tips

Wear comfortable shoes

Edinburgh’s old streets are cobbled and uneven, so sturdy footwear is essential for a smooth experience.

Bring a camera

Capture the picturesque sights and iconic locations along the tour route.

Dress for the weather

Scottish weather can change quickly; layering is recommended to stay comfortable.

Book in advance

Popular tours can fill up fast, especially during peak season, so reserve your spot early.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Pigeons in High Street
  • Squirrels in Princes Street Gardens

History

Edinburgh's Old Town has preserved medieval architecture, with many sites dating back over 500 years, influencing the settings in Harry Potter.

Conservation

The tour advocates for sustainable tourism by encouraging respectful interactions with the environment and supporting local businesses.

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Adventure Hotspots in Edinburgh

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Comfortable walking shoes

Essential

Good shoes are key for navigating Edinburgh’s cobbled streets comfortably.

Rain jacket or umbrella

Essential

Prepare for sudden showers typical of the Scottish climate.

spring|summer|fall|winter specific

Camera or smartphone

Capture picturesque moments and scenic views along the tour.

A notebook

Jot down favorite spots, facts, or personal reflections during your walk.