Recently Viewed
JK Rowling's Edinburgh & the Writing of Harry Potter 4.25hrs
4.8
202 Ratings
Edinburgh
Uncover the inspiring journey of JK Rowling in Edinburgh, the birthplace of Harry Potter. Explore the cafes and events that shaped her, and discover the magic behind the creation of the iconic series. Join this 4¼-hour tour and ignite your own creativity!
Duration:
4 hours, 15 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- The Balmoral - The tour starts where Harry Potter died. (He might also have revived - SPOILERS).
- EH8 9DH - Harry’s maternity ward
- McEwan Hall - See the fabulous hall where JK Rowling had a ball
- Greyfriars Kirkyard - JK Rowling has disowned this cemetery as an inspiration, we dig up the truth.
- George Heriot’s School - JK Rowling insists this castled school isn’t Hogwarts. So what is JK Rowling’s connection? Why has she visited so many many times and why has it had such a profound impact on her life?
- The Elephant House - The birthplace of Harry Potter? Ummm, no. Beloved by JK Rowling nevertheless.
- Over Langshaw Farmhouse Ice Cream - Scottish whisky ice cream, the most scottish Ice cream in the world. Sometimes, when the elves have been busy, they also have a butter brew flavour.
- Diagon House - We visit Victoria Street, Edinburgh’s winding wizarding street and unpack its famed Harry Potter shops
- Heart of Midlothian Mosaic - What does Harry Potter have to teach? Nothing really, Rowling didn’t see herself as children’s baby sitter or teacher. Here though we explore some of her ideas and views of the world as embedded in her epic.
- Lothian Chambers - JK Rowling’s Europillia - Oh my!
- The Writers’ Museum - Edinburgh is UNESCO’s first ‘city of literature’, we now mentor the others around the world. In this special court to makars - writers, we have a look at the ascent of Edinburgh’s most famous adopted daughter.
- Mercat Cross - Where poverty & sovereignty meet. Or something.
- Edinburgh City Chambers - We have at look at Rowling’s Edinburgh Award
- JK Rowlingâs Handprints - The finale, we give thanks
What's Included
- Resurrection stone. To revive the magic
- Escort back to Edinburgh’s ‘Harry Potter’ street at the end if you wish
-
All day parking cost
£10, please contact me - 4 PLUS HOURS of Edinburgh’s world heritage site, the Hogwartian half, the Old Town
- Spoilers, it explores JK’s themes so is terrible for whetting appetites
- A peek inside JK Rowling’s head. It’s fairly big but leave only footprints
What's Not Included
- Genocide: We’re a local company compliant with Scottish law
- Tips: Wizards aren’t rich, unsurprisingly, help him out if you can afford to
- Potter guides & aspiring guides: please look elsewhere, I love you but I have too many “tributes”
- French. If your English is weak I am able to appoint a French guide, please contact me
- Flexibility: due to the start point it’s difficult to cut the tour short SEEK my 8hr Potterhead tour
- Humility. Well OK. Why am I so bad @ Quidditch, it’s so unfair. & Charms & Transfiguration & Potions
- And nobody likes me. The only person who likes me is Hermione. Jesus.
- Breakfast. We can pause for sandwiches to be eaten during the tour, but BREAKFAST IS KING
- Kids who have not read the books. Buy them the books already. Meantime try potter trail instead
- This is a tour for those who’ve read & love the books. Squibs are there for true fan’s ride
Additional Information
JK Rowling… she’s sold a few books - what?!
On this tour, we dive deep into her history. Learn to use failure as a springboard, be inspired, stay committed & conquer the world. Discover the events that moved her & the cafes which fueled her. Experience how, through a caffeine-charged imagination, a penniless single mother put a dent in the Muggle-verse.
Learn the entire genesis of Potter, from lightning striking on a Manchester train to becoming a pillar of British culture & shaping generations.
Reviewers say it’s a good introduction to our Hogwartian old town, discover fabulous gothic scenes off the Muggle track, the stonework of Rowling’s imagination.
There’s magic, I never got my letter so I’m giving you yours.
Darker than an Azkaban prison cell, more brilliant than all the gold in Gringotts, 4+ hours long for those with double the love. Stand on the shoulders of Rowling, Nimbus-charge your originality & drive; fill that aching Potter-shaped hole inside
- Many children have enjoyed the tour, however it’s based on Rowling’s rags to riches story & so is dark. The more difficulties a person has overcome, the more you can learn from them. This tour has darker stories from Rowling’s instructive biography, which I hope will inspire those ready to achieve more
- The tour is also based on the books, the books have some adult themes which I give credit too, because ‘they’re just children’s books’ annoys me. People who have just seen the movies may not be aware of these darker themes
- 5 km+ of up and down walking through Edinburgh’s hilly old town
- 4¼ HOURS is a long time so BREAKFAST. Think everybody’s favourite Gameskeeper: if your feet haven’t swollen to baby Dolphins - keep shovelling!
- Not recommended for people requiring mobility aids, e.g. a stick, 6km of hilly walking is demanding. Contact me for a private 2½ hour broom or book my 5¾ hour “The Genius of Harry Potter” if you’re a pedagog
Location
Monument to Wellington
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(202 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Amy_d
Jun 6, 2024
For Harry Potter Fans - Sam puts a lot of heart into his tour. He adds many small details and personal touches and gifts. My son loved the tour and we all learned a lot.
Review provided by Viator
Lesliebd2702bh
Jun 4, 2024
A writers or readers dream on facts, locations and history of the writing of JK Rowling. - Our tour guide Sam was not only very knowledgeable about Edinburgh but also was a compendium of knowledge on the writing and life of JK Rowling. This is a must if you want to experience her inspiration for her books and walk in her footsteps as she dreamed them up. Lots of fun facts about not only the Potter books, but also Fantastic Beasts and her other books. Great for burgeoning writers or just those who love a good story.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kbmaher1
May 22, 2024
Outstanding Tour - Sam is the GOAT! What a fountain of HP and JK Rowling knowledge. Sam catered to our groups' specific needs and interests. If you are looking for a unique tour of Edinburgh, a deep dive into the world of Harry Potter and the mind of JK Rowling, Sam is your man. His pace is lively and passion for the subjects is contagious.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
L
May 18, 2024
Sam is the GOAT of everything Potter and Jk Rowling! - Our family just did the potter tour. What a fantastic experience. Sam is an excellent and very knowledgeable tour guide. He made it very fun and provided us with interesting information. Highly recommend! Sam is awesome!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Keith_s
May 4, 2024
Very Educational and Entertsining - Sam, our guide was very knowledgeable about JK Rowling and the background of the writings as well as locations and local references.
Review provided by Viator
Onair657585
Dec 19, 2023
A fabulous Harry Potter tour! - What an amazing experience! I booked the tour with my 7 year old daughter. Even though I didn’t know much about Harry Potter my daughter is a fan I thoroughly enjoyed the entire tour. It covers the beautiful magical Edinburgh and Sam is a delight to head the tour. Sam was amazing and so well informed. He answered all of my daughter’s questions and kept her so engaged. I highly recommend this tour for all ages. Will definitely book it again when in Edinburgh again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
652rachaelb
Dec 15, 2023
Knowledge and Fun - Amazing tour learning all things Harry Potter and JK Rowling. The guide was super knowledgeable and he sprinkled in trivia and some fun surprises along the way.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
407michaelav
Sep 29, 2023
Most Knowledgable Tour Guide Ever! - Sam was an incredible guide! He was insanely knowledgeable and can easily customize the tour to the interests of the group. He added in fun things like costumes and even had gold coins to win the House Cup! He made sure to give you breaks to sit since it is a lot of walking but you get to go all over Edinburgh and see things you may not have even known were there! 20/10 I cannot recommend this tour but mainly Sam enough! He even stopped and bought us all ice cream which was incredibly kind and not needed!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Motherduck22
Sep 27, 2023
The best way to explore Edinburgh - We were met by wizard Sam and the magic began. His knowledge, his wit and his story telling keeps you absolutely captivated and time seems to disappear!
It was wonderful to be part of a small personalised tour and to see so much behind the scenes of Edinburgh, it is all the little things that made the day so special!! Huge thank you, even the not so Harry Potter fan amongst us had a great day and we captured some fabulous photo’s and have a day of adventure planned visiting all Sam’s recommendations. Went above and beyond would Highly recommend!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelerz8673tc
Sep 19, 2023
Great time! - Sam was awesome! Extremely knowledgeable on everything JK Rowling and Scotland. It was a great experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor