The prints were produced when JK Rowling was awarded the Edinburgh Award in 2008. Just off the Royal Mile you can find the famous author's handprints reproduced on a flagstone in the quadrangle in front of Edinburgh City Chambers. Rowling's Handprints at The City ChambersĮdinburgh City Chambers, 253 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ It was thought that his house was completely demolished when Victoria Street was built in the 1830's, but it now seems that some parts may still exist, hidden in the Quaker Meeting House on the upper terrace! This magical street is no stranger to wizarding tales - it was the location of Major Weir’s house, a man notorious as ‘the Wizard of the West Bow’, who was executed for witchcraft in 1670. Soak up the atmosphere of this colourful area and pick up something unique as a souvenir from this unique street. It's no wonder then, that this colourful street is rumoured to have served as the inspiration for London's magical shopping thoroughfare, Diagon Alley. Head across the Grassmarket and you'll find the curve of Victoria Street and The West Bow, where restaurants are stacked on top of shops tightly packed together in brightly painted buildings and selling oddities and trinkets. Many fans make the pilgrimage here to pay tribute to the man who gave his name to the most evil of the wizarding world, so the grass path leading to this grave is well worn!ĭiscover more about visiting Greyfriar's Kirkyard > However, undoubtedly the most famous resident in Greyfriar's Kirkyard is Thomas Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort or "He who must not be named". Keep an eye out for William McGonagall (a famously bad poet), Elizabeth Moodie and Daniel Scrymgeour. Perhaps somewhat morbidly, she would walk around the nearby Greyfriar's Kirkyard and look at the gravestones, with some of the names slipping into her books. Rowling would stroll around the streets of Edinburgh, which served as much of her inspiration for the Harry Potter universe. In between her writing sessions in the Edinburgh cafés, J.K. The location is marked with an understated plaque on the corner of Drummond Street, so keep your eyes peeled! The premises was previously occupied by Nicolsons Café, which was co-owned by Rowling’s brother-in-law, and it has been confirmed that much of the first Harry Potter book was written here. If you want to avoid the crowds, though, walk around five minutes away to Spoon Café on Nicolson Street. The fixation continues inside, where even the bathrooms are covered in Harry Potter graffiti. The most notable is The Elephant House on George IV Bridge, where you'll find lots of tourists taking selfies in front of the sign marking the "birthplace" of Harry Potter. Rowling would seek refuge from the cold and write her early manuscripts in Edinburgh's warm and welcoming cafés. Before she made her fortune with the Harry Potter books, J.K. Spoon Café: 6A Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DH The Elephant House: 21 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EN Visit the locations in our guide and get a real sense of Hogwarts and the Wizarding World, right here in Scotland's capital. Rowling penned some of the world's favourite wizarding stories right here in Edinburgh?Īs you walk around the city, you can see the streets and sights that inspired the global sensation. Harry Potter is a household name across the globe, but did you know that J.K.