For decades, people from all over the world have visited Scotland to experience the culture, whisky, and history. However, in the past 25 years, something magical has changed the landscape of Scotland’s tourism. The Harry Potter franchise has significantly impacted trade and tourism across the UK. Known as ‘the birthplace of Harry Potter’, there are many opportunities to immerse yourself in the magical world of Scotland.

It looks like your letter to Hogwarts has just arrived. We have compiled a list of the top places to go, see, and experience the world of Harry Potter. Take the train to Hogwarts and dip your toes in the Black Lake, but be warned. This article contains spoilers!

We recommend visiting this article from the official VisitScotland Website for a full itinerary. 

1. Victoria Street

Coming out of the Highlands and into Central Scotland, Victoria Street is one of the most photographed streets in all of Edinburgh. Located just off the legendary Grass Market, colourful shop faces line the winding street. Rumoured to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley, the city runs with that idea. For any Harry Potter fan, Edinburgh is a must-stop city. 

You can find Harry Potter and magic-themed shops up and down the street and around Edinburgh in general. Here, you can pop in to buy a want, bundle up with house sweaters, and find your choice of magical sweets, including Every Flavour Beans and Chocolate Frogs. Only a 10-minute walk from Waverly Train Station, Victoria Street is the perfect place to start your Harry Potter experience in Scotland. 

2. Greyfriars Kirkyard

Not far from Victoria Street, you will come across one of the most famous graveyards in the world. Known for a courageous Skye Terrier, Bobby guarded the resting place of his owner, a local police officer, for 14 years. Touched, the Lord Provost erected a bronze statue before the kirkyard, forever watching over the deceased.  

During JK Rowlings time in Edinburgh, she took much inspiration from her surroundings. In fact, Greyfriars Kirkyard is where you can find the namesake of multiple characters in Harry Potter. Most notably, the grave of Tom Riddle is located near the bottom, the second grave from the bottom. Eary enough, it is a place in the kirkyard where grass won’t grow. You can also look around to see other graves with familiar names, such as McGonagall, the surname of a Scottish Poet. Unfortunately, William McGonagall was known as the ‘worst poet in Scotland’. However, during the time of Robert Burns, it would be hard to stand up to the competition. 

3. Loch Etive

Once you have explored the magic of Scotland’s Capital City, start your journey north towards the highlands. Take a detour to Loch Etive on your way northwest towards Oban. Just under a 4-hour drive from Edinburgh, this sea loch has a diverse aquatic environment and is home to a variety of fish, otters and seals. 

This filming location might stir memories of Harry and his friends in later years.

Loch Etive can be seen in the seventh film of the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. This loch was used as the landing space for Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s escape from Gringotts, jumping off the back of a dragon and landing in the loch. It is the same location where the following camp scene is set up: the trio gets into an argument, and you see Ron leave the group. 

4. The Jacobite Train & Glenfinnian Viaduct

The Glenfinnian Visitor Center, a must-visit for any Harry Potter fan, saw over 500,000 visitors in 2023, a number that continues to grow each year. This trend is a testament to the enduring appeal of Harry Potter and the increasing interest in Scotland's magical cinematic connections.  

The Glenfinnian Viaduct is featured in four of the Harry Potter movies: The Chamber of Secrets (2002), Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Goblet of Fire (2005) and The Half-Blood Prince (2009). The 21 arches are an incredible spectacle, reaching over 100 feet high. You can wander directly through these massive arches at the visitor centre or take a short walk to a viewpoint overlooking the Viaduct and Loch Shiel. For those trying to grab the iconic photo of the train going across the viaduct, approximate passing times for the viaduct are 10:58 AM, 13:25 PM, 15:00 PM, and 17:45 PM.

Should you like to join the magic rather than just viewing, you can take the real Hogwarts Express, The Jacobite Steam Train. The Jacobite runs from March through October from Fort William to Mallaig. Grab 5 of your travel companions, and you can rent a full, private compartment for £398, or about £67 per person. Add an afternoon tea package (£28PP) for an elevated experience. 

5. Loch Shiel

Just across the road from the Glenfinnian Visitor Center, Loch Shiel expands a stunning 28km long. Surrounded by mountain peaks, you might know Loch Shiel by a different name. The Great, or Black, Lake is seen in all eight Harry Potter movies. One of the most notorious scenes in which the area is featured is during the ‘Triwizard Tournament’ in the fourth movie, Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire. 

Gazing over the loch, you can put yourself in the shoes, or cloaks, of a Hogwarts student. Turn the other way, and Glenfinian Viaduct lines the other side. These are must-stop locations for Harry Potter fans, especially as they host beautiful scenery and some of the most iconic filming in the series. 

6. Hagrids Hut

Only a stone's throw away from Ballaculish, you can find the filming location where Hagrids Hut once stood. Since the end of filming in 2010, the hut has been removed, but you will find that magic still oozes from the area. The Hut itself now rests in the Making of Harry Potter - London. With stunning mountain scenes and rolling hills, even without the actual building, plenty of other Harry Potter fans will join you. 

Enjoy a picnic or leisurely stroll in the grassy area where Hippogrifs grazed and pumpkins grew. It is an easy stop on your way into or out of Glencoe, only a 7-minute drive from the Glencoe Inn, the perfect place to rest between your adventures. Or you can take the scenic route under the Pap of Glencoe and walk there, which is only about a 5-mile circuit. 

7. Steall Falls

Not far from Glencoe and the town of Ballachulish, you can take a relaxing hike at the base of Ben Nevis to Steall Waterfall and the Nevis Gorge in Fort William. Nearly 400 feet tall, Steal Waterfall is Scotland’s second tallest waterfall. The traditional Gaelic name meaning ‘The White Spout’ for the roar of water has the appearance of white foam rather than water. 

While the falls are used in many scenes across the series, one of the most recognisable is the fourth movie, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. During the famed Triwizard tournament, Steall Waterfall is seen in the scene where Harry defeats the daunting Horntail Dragon. If you don’t recognise the falls from this scene, perhaps you might recognise the white water pouring out behind a quidditch scene or two.    

These are just a few of many opportunities to immerse yourself in Harry Potter's world of witchcraft and wizardry. Scotland is full of magic, both cinematic and otherworldly. The sights and scenes that make up the countryside, the old castles, and the towering Munros piece together the story of the country's history and have inspired creatives like famous poets, novelists, and lyricists for centuries. It’s time to write your own story.  Visit Scotland today.