Harry Potter locations in Scotland ⚡

Calling all Potterheads! Here's a map of 15 Harry Potter locations in Scotland (plus a couple of cheeky bonus tips!). Some are actual filming locations and some are just places that look straight out of the books - perfect for photo ops and for feeling like you are in the world of wizards, if only for a moment!

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Glasgow

University of Glasgow

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It's hard to believe the university was never used for actual filming of Harry Potter; it looks like real-life Hogwarts! Bring your robes and wands, the photo ops are endless.

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Glasgow Botanic Gardens

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Wander the greenhouses and feel like you are in a Herbology class from Harry Potter! Our favourite is the Palm House. If you time it right and come as it's being watered, you will see something special. As the water rains from the ceiling, you will feel like you are in an actual tropical rainforest 🌴

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Ashton Lane

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This little lane located near The University of Glasgow could easily have been the inspiration behind the Diagon Alley. Great for photos and for a drink as it's full of bars!

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Edinburgh

The Elephant House

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Sadly, the café has been closed now for years due to fire damage, but it is one of the cafes where JK Rowling used to write the first books. (It had been claiming for years to be the birthplace of HP, but JK stated that it is untrue). If they do reopen, go check out the bathrooms. Hopefully, the same magic that was happening there before will be happening again. Special tip: take a permanent marker with you when you go to the toilet 😉

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Greyfriars Kirkyard

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Buried here are Thomas Riddell, William McGonagall and Elizabeth Moodie - can you find their graves?

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The Balmoral

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The famous hotel in which JK Rowling wrote the final chapter of the last HP book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It was, allegedly, Room 552, in case you wanted to splash out on a stay!

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Victoria Street

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Similarly to Ashton Lane in Glasgow, this street is reminiscent of Diagon Alley. Unsurprisingly, HP shops tend to pop up on the street so go have a look!

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JK Rowling’s Handprints

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This is a not-very-well-known HP location. We've been to Edinburgh countless of times and have never known this even existed! To find the handprints, walk up the famous Royal Mile towards the Edinburgh Castle. Stop at the Edinburgh City Chambers and look for the handprints in the flagstone courtyard.

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Highlands

Glenfinnan Viaduct

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Another great experience is to take the Jacobite Steam Train across the viaduct - just like travelling on the Hogwarts Express! You will even pass Dumbledore's grave at Loch Eilt

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Loch Eilt

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Look out for Eilean na Moine island - Dumbledore's final resting place. You can also see the island from the Jacobite Steam Train.

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Rannoch Moor Viewpoint

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Actual filming location - you can see it in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 when Death Eaters stop the Hogwarts Express.

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Loch Shiel

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The real-life Black Lake! So, technically, where Hogwarts is located. Think you'll find it? It was also used to film the second task of the Triwizard Tournament in the Goblet of Fire. Keep an eye out for Merpeople!

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Glencoe

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Glencoe appeared in many HP movies. You can, for example, recognise it in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

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Clachaig Gully

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This area used to be home to Hagrid’s Hut, including his pumpkin patch. It is also where they filmed the Stone Circle, the Gatehouse, and the Wooden Bridge - they were located on the hillside above Clachaig.

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Steall Waterfall

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Second highest waterfall in Scotland, it was featured in the first task of the Goblet of Fire when Harry escaped Horntail

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Bonus tips!

Alnwick Castle

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While not in Scotland, you can visit it on a day trip from Edinburgh and it's such a great HP location, we had to include it on the list! You will recognise it from the first two Harry Potter films - it was used as the outside of Hogwarts, the location for the flying lesson in the first HP film, in the Christmas scene where Hagrid drags the Christmas Tree and many more!

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The Witchery by the Castle

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While not a HP location, if you want to stay in a truly opulent room that looks straight out of a medieval castle, these unique suites are the perfect place.

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