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JK Rowling’s Edinburgh & the Writing of Harry Potter 4½hrs

By The Potter Tour
9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
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Overview

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 fuelled 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 ϟ

Activity location

  • The Balmoral
    • 1 Princes Street
    • EH2 2EQ, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Monument to Wellington
    • EH2 2YB, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Check availability

Sorry this activity isn't available on Thu, Aug 21
Please choose a different date

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's includedResurrection stone. To revive the magic
  • What's includedWhat's includedEscort back to Edinburgh’s ‘Harry Potter’ street at the end if you wish
  • What's includedWhat's included4½ HOURS of Edinburgh’s world heritage site, the Hogwartian half, the Old Town
  • What's includedWhat's includedSpoilers, it explores JK’s themes so is terrible for whetting appetites
  • What's includedWhat's includedA peek inside JK Rowling’s head. It’s fairly big but leave only footprints
  • What's includedWhat's includedDiscounted all day parking cost £10, please contact me
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedGenocide: We’re a local company compliant with Scottish law
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedTips: Help!
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedPotter guides & aspiring guides: please look elsewhere, I love you but I have too many "tributes"
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedFrench. If your English is weak I am able to appoint a French guide, please contact me
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedFlexibility: due to the start point it’s difficult to cut the tour short SEEK my 8hr Potterhead tour
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedBreakfast. We can pause for sandwiches to be eaten during the tour, but BREAKFAST IS KING
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedKids who have not read the books. Buy them the books already. Meantime try potter trail instead
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedThis is a tour for those who've read & love the books. Squibs are there for true fan’s ride

Know before you book

  • Public transport options are available nearby
  • Travellers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Many children have enjoyed the tour, however it’s based on Rowling’s rags to riches storey & 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 films may not be aware of these darker themes
  • 5 km+ of up and down walking through Edinburgh’s hilly old town
  • 4½ HOURS is a long time so BREAKFAST. Think everybody’s favourite Gameskeeper: if your feet haven’t swollen to baby Dolphins - keep shovelling!
  • This tour is also available as a private tour, along with a more JKR-comprehensive 5¾ hour private tour & 8hr Potter Cornucopia with lunch. Please contact Potter Tour
  • ENDS AT: City Chambers, 253 High St, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ
  • Not recommended for people requiring mobility aids, e.g. a stick, 6km of hilly walking is demanding. Contact me for a private tour

Activity itinerary

The Balmoral
  • 10m
The tour starts where Harry Potter died. (He might also have revived - *SPOILERS*).
EH8 9DH
  • 10m
Harry's maternity ward
McEwan Hall
  • 10m
See the fabulous hall where JK Rowling had a ball
Greyfriars Kirkyard
  • 5m
JK Rowling has disowned this cemetery as an inspiration, we dig up the truth.
George Heriot's School
  • 5m
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
  • 5m
The birthplace of Harry Potter? Ummm, no. Beloved by JK Rowling nevertheless.
Over Langshaw Farmhouse Ice Cream
  • 5m
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.
Museum CONTEXT (Pass by)
We visit Victoria Street, Edinburgh's winding wizarding street and unpack its famed Harry Potter shops
Heart of Midlothian Mosaic
  • 5m
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
  • 5m
JK Rowling's Europillia - Oh my!
The Writers' Museum
  • 5m
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
  • 1m
Where poverty & sovereignty meet. Or something.
JK Rowling’s Handprints
  • 5m
We have a look at Rowling's Edinburgh Award
Edinburgh City Chambers
  • 10m
The finale, we give thanks. The tour ENDS HERE.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIESThe Balmoral
    • 1 Princes Street
    • EH2 2EQ, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLEMonument to Wellington
    • EH2 2YB, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

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