With Scotland being the birth place of where JK Rowling created the wondrous world of Harry Potter, I had to squeeze in at least a number of Harry Potter related-locations during my relatively short visit to Scotland.
If you’d rather a guided tour of the famous Harry Potter locations, definitely sign up for The Potter Trail! It is a FREE (yes it’s free!) walking tour that takes you through the famous Harry Potter locations scattered across Edinburgh. Unfortunately, the timing wasn’t right for us to do this but I have read an enormous amount of raving reviews for this tour.
1. Tom Riddle (Lord Voldemort)’s grave
Where: Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh
📍Thomas Riddell’s Grave
The famous villain of the Harry Potter world – He Who Must Not Be Named AKA Lord Voldemort or Tom Riddle was inspired by the name ‘Thomas Riddle’ that can be found on the tombstone in Greyfriars Kirkyard, a century old cemetery that famously inspired a number of characters in the Harry Potter world.
Apart from Tom Riddle, there’s also Professor McGonagall, Sirius Black, Mad-Eye Moody and more here! Though it will take you a while to go searching for all of them, as they aren’t the easiest to find.
Here’s how to find Thomas Riddle’s tombstone, a place where grass (literally) won’t grow:
1. Walk up the little road next/behind Greyfriars Bobby’s Bar(a famous bar with a beloved dog memorial that’s worth stopping to read his story!)
2. Enter Greyfriars Kirkyard
3. Go right of the Kirk and follow the loop around it, towards the Flodden wall arch
4. Once you reach/pass the wall arch, turn right and walk down the hill
5. When you reach a fork, where the path splits, keep going straight down
6. At the bottom of the hill, turn right & follow the path around
7. Tom Riddle will be the second grave from the bottom (if you can’t find it, it may be because it’s on the other side of the wall)
2. Diagon Alley
Where: Victoria Street, Edinburgh
📍Victoria Street Viewing Point
Rumoured to be the street that inspired Diagon Alley! Regardless of it’s connection to Harry Potter, it’s a beautiful buzzling street where you can wander the many Harry Potter shops and go through little alleys to get a different perspective of Edinburgh.
Some notable shops we spent a little too long at:
- Museum Context: Retailer of Harry Potter Merchandise – go up the second floor to find the Chamber of Secrets!
- The Enchanted Galaxy
- The Great Wizard
- The Elephant House– previously in a different location, JK Rowling wrote the Philosopher’s Stone at this cafe
3. Dumbledore’s grave
Where: Eilean na Moine at Loch Eilt, West Highlands
📍Eilean na Mòine
Anyone who has watched the movies would have seen Dumbledore’s last resting place featured in multiple scenes. This felt surreal to be able to see in person.
There isn’t a proper parking lot set up here and as it’s just off a main road, be careful as you pull over.
Do bring boots as it gets very muddy depending on the weather, as there are alot of potholes on the 5 minute path to the viewpoint, to see the little ‘island’.
4. Hagrid’s hut
Where: Clachaig Gully in Glencoe
📍Hagrid’s Hut
This was the actual site where scenes of Hagrid’s Hut was filmed. Unfortunately the hut built for the movies is no longer there and can be found in the Harry Potter Warner Bro’s Studios in London which we did visit (and would highly recommend as well)!
It is still a beautiful place to visit and here’s how to get to the exact spot:
- Start from Clachaig Inn and park near here – a charming pub definitely worth stopping for a bite before/after you venture to Hagrid’s Hut
- From here, walk up the main road (yes you’ll be sharing the road with cars for a short while
- You’ll then see a gravel path on the right, follow this path (it can get muddy!) and keep walking up hill, until you find it and take in the view of Torren Lochan
Note: you can go up hill higher to get a different view point (with more familiar scenes being shot here)
5. Hogwarts Express
Where: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scottish Highlands
📍Glenfinnan Viaduct & Monument Car and Coach Parking
Of course you can’t miss THE most iconic bridge in the Harry Potter world while you’re in Scotland! This was truly a memorable experience and there’s a few things to note:
Parking and walking: There is only one paid car park and it can get very busy. Many don’t realise that it is abit of a walk up the hill to get to the viewpoints from the car park, so give yourself plenty of time, especially if you’re wanting to see the train passing the bridge/viaduct!
Train passing: Check online the Jacobite Train schedule, to see when it will come by. It typically passes the viaduct twice a day. However, the schedule changes according to season or maintenance, so best to check before you come.
You can also ride the actual Hogwarts Express (which we unfortunately didn’t get the time to do), find more information and book your tickets well in advance here.
Viewpoints: From the car park, you’ll have to pick which viewpoint you want to situate yourself as there are a number of viewpoints to see the viaduct:
- Glenfinnan Viaduct Viewpoint (West)
- Glenfinnan Viaduct Viewpoint (East)
- Glenfinnan Viaduct Viewpoint
It will be up to your personal preference as to which viewpoint you want to be at, as it depends on which direction the train will be coming from and whether you want to see the train pass head on.
There are other trails around the area and a gift shop which we did spend some time in after!
6. Bonus: Loch Shiel AKA The Black Lake
📍Loch Shiel Viewpoint
You will be able to see Loch Shiel in the distance from Glenfinnan Viaduct, but it is worth visiting Loch Shiel properly, especially if you are already at Glenfinnan Viaduct! As Potter fans will recognise, Loch Shiel served as the backdrop of many scenes including the Triwizard Tournament and when Harry was flying with Buckbeak!
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