JK Rowling’s Edinburgh and the Writing of Harry Potter 4½-Hour Walking Tour
by The Potter Tour
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.£200Overview
This 4½-hour walking tour covers about 5 kilometers through Edinburgh’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It focuses on JK Rowling’s life in Edinburgh and the writing of the Harry Potter series. The tour begins at the location associated with Harry Potter’s death in the story and continues to Harry’s maternity ward. Next, it visits McEwan Hall, where Rowling celebrated significant moments. The route includes a stop at Greyfriars Cemetery to explore Rowling’s claimed inspirations, followed by George Heriot's School, which Rowling denies inspired Hogwarts but visited frequently. The tour then passes the site referred to as the birthplace of Harry Potter, though not literally, and stops at a place serving Scottish whisky ice cream, sometimes also offering a butter brew flavor. Victoria Street is visited to examine its winding layout and the Harry Potter-themed shops there. The guide discusses Rowling’s ideas and themes found in the books, including her views on writing and the world. The tour also highlights Edinburgh’s status as the first UNESCO City of Literature and looks at Rowling’s Edinburgh Award. Additional stops include the Mercat Cross, where historical themes of poverty and sovereignty are noted. The tour concludes at Edinburgh City Chambers. Included with the tour is a resurrection stone prop to represent the magic of the series, and an optional escort back to Edinburgh’s Harry Potter street is available upon request. The walk involves hilly terrain and some pauses for refreshments if needed. Discounted all-day parking is available with prior arrangement. The tour contains some darker stories from Rowling’s life and the books and is intended for those familiar with the Harry Potter series. It is not recommended for people with mobility difficulties. Breakfast is advised before the tour due to its length and physical demands.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Harry Potter Death Location
The tour begins at the place where Harry Potter died in the story, with some hints about the character’s revival.
10 min
Harry's Maternity Ward
Visit the location identified as the maternity ward where Harry was born.
10 min
McEwan Hall
See the grand hall where JK Rowling celebrated significant moments.
10 min
Greyfriars
Examine the cemetery that Rowling has rejected as an inspiration and explore the facts behind it.
5 min
George Heriot's School
Learn about Rowling’s connection to this castled school, which she insists is not Hogwarts, but has influenced her life.
5 min
Birthplace of Harry Potter
Visit a place loved by Rowling, though it is not literally the birthplace of Harry Potter.
5 min
Scottish Whisky Ice Cream Stop
Try Scottish whisky ice cream, noted as the most Scottish ice cream, sometimes with butter brew flavor.
5 min
Museum CONTEXT
Walk along Victoria Street, known for its winding layout and Harry Potter-themed shops.
Rowling's Ideas
Discuss what Harry Potter might teach, focusing on Rowling’s themes rather than lessons for children.
5 min
JK Rowling's Europillia
Drive-by or walk-by only.
5 min
Edinburgh Literary Heritage
Look at Edinburgh’s status as UNESCO’s first City of Literature and Rowling’s role as a famous adopted daughter.
5 min
Mercat Cross
Visit the historical meeting place where poverty and sovereignty intersect.
1 min
Rowling's Edinburgh Award
View the award given to JK Rowling by the city.
5 min
Edinburgh City Chambers
The tour concludes at Edinburgh City Chambers, where thanks are given and the tour ends.
10 min
Meeting point
ENDS AT: City Chambers, 253 High St, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ MEETING POINT: Outside General Register House, beside the statue of the Duke of Wellington on his rearing horse, adjacent to the Apple store. Opposite the Balmoral Hotel with its big clock tower.
End point
ENDS AT: City Chambers, 253 High St, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ MEETING POINT: Outside General Register House, beside the statue of the Duke of Wellington on his rearing horse, adjacent to the Apple store. Opposite the Balmoral Hotel with its big clock tower.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
JK Rowling’s Edinburgh and the Writing of Harry Potter 4½-Hour Walking Tour
by The Potter Tour
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.£200Overview
This 4½-hour walking tour covers about 5 kilometers through Edinburgh’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It focuses on JK Rowling’s life in Edinburgh and the writing of the Harry Potter series. The tour begins at the location associated with Harry Potter’s death in the story and continues to Harry’s maternity ward. Next, it visits McEwan Hall, where Rowling celebrated significant moments. The route includes a stop at Greyfriars Cemetery to explore Rowling’s claimed inspirations, followed by George Heriot's School, which Rowling denies inspired Hogwarts but visited frequently. The tour then passes the site referred to as the birthplace of Harry Potter, though not literally, and stops at a place serving Scottish whisky ice cream, sometimes also offering a butter brew flavor. Victoria Street is visited to examine its winding layout and the Harry Potter-themed shops there. The guide discusses Rowling’s ideas and themes found in the books, including her views on writing and the world. The tour also highlights Edinburgh’s status as the first UNESCO City of Literature and looks at Rowling’s Edinburgh Award. Additional stops include the Mercat Cross, where historical themes of poverty and sovereignty are noted. The tour concludes at Edinburgh City Chambers. Included with the tour is a resurrection stone prop to represent the magic of the series, and an optional escort back to Edinburgh’s Harry Potter street is available upon request. The walk involves hilly terrain and some pauses for refreshments if needed. Discounted all-day parking is available with prior arrangement. The tour contains some darker stories from Rowling’s life and the books and is intended for those familiar with the Harry Potter series. It is not recommended for people with mobility difficulties. Breakfast is advised before the tour due to its length and physical demands.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Harry Potter Death Location
The tour begins at the place where Harry Potter died in the story, with some hints about the character’s revival.
10 min
Harry's Maternity Ward
Visit the location identified as the maternity ward where Harry was born.
10 min
McEwan Hall
See the grand hall where JK Rowling celebrated significant moments.
10 min
Greyfriars
Examine the cemetery that Rowling has rejected as an inspiration and explore the facts behind it.
5 min
George Heriot's School
Learn about Rowling’s connection to this castled school, which she insists is not Hogwarts, but has influenced her life.
5 min
Birthplace of Harry Potter
Visit a place loved by Rowling, though it is not literally the birthplace of Harry Potter.
5 min
Scottish Whisky Ice Cream Stop
Try Scottish whisky ice cream, noted as the most Scottish ice cream, sometimes with butter brew flavor.
5 min
Museum CONTEXT
Walk along Victoria Street, known for its winding layout and Harry Potter-themed shops.
Rowling's Ideas
Discuss what Harry Potter might teach, focusing on Rowling’s themes rather than lessons for children.
5 min
JK Rowling's Europillia
Drive-by or walk-by only.
5 min
Edinburgh Literary Heritage
Look at Edinburgh’s status as UNESCO’s first City of Literature and Rowling’s role as a famous adopted daughter.
5 min
Mercat Cross
Visit the historical meeting place where poverty and sovereignty intersect.
1 min
Rowling's Edinburgh Award
View the award given to JK Rowling by the city.
5 min
Edinburgh City Chambers
The tour concludes at Edinburgh City Chambers, where thanks are given and the tour ends.
10 min
Meeting point
ENDS AT: City Chambers, 253 High St, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ MEETING POINT: Outside General Register House, beside the statue of the Duke of Wellington on his rearing horse, adjacent to the Apple store. Opposite the Balmoral Hotel with its big clock tower.
End point
ENDS AT: City Chambers, 253 High St, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ MEETING POINT: Outside General Register House, beside the statue of the Duke of Wellington on his rearing horse, adjacent to the Apple store. Opposite the Balmoral Hotel with its big clock tower.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.