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JK Rowling’s Edinburgh & the Writing of Harry Potter 4¼hrs

203 Reviews 4.85 out of 5 stars Based on 203 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 99% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Edinburgh, Scotland

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4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
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Instant confirmation

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 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 ϟ

What's Included

  • Resurrection stone. To revive the magic
  • Escort back to Edinburgh’s ‘Harry Potter’ street at the end if you wish
  • 4½ HOURS of Edinburgh’s world heritage site, the Hogwartian half, the Old Town
  • Genocide: We’re a local company compliant with Scottish law
  • Tips: Help!
  • Flexibility: due to the start point it’s difficult to cut the tour short SEEK my 8hr Potterhead tour
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Wellington
Edinburgh EH2 2YB, UK

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

The Balmoral

The tour starts where Harry Potter died. (He might also have revived - *SPOILERS*).
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

EH8 9DH

Harry's maternity ward
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

McEwan Hall

See the fabulous hall where JK Rowling had a ball
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Greyfriars Kirkyard

JK Rowling has disowned this cemetery as an inspiration, we dig up the truth.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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?
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Elephant House

The birthplace of Harry Potter? Ummm, no. Beloved by JK Rowling nevertheless.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Museum CONTEXT (Pass By)

We visit Victoria Street, Edinburgh's winding wizarding street and unpack its famed Harry Potter shops
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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.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Lothian Chambers

JK Rowling's Europillia - Oh my!
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Mercat Cross

Where poverty & sovereignty meet. Or something.
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1 minute • Admission Ticket Free

JK Rowling’s Handprints

We have a look at Rowling's Edinburgh Award
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Edinburgh City Chambers

The finale, we give thanks. The tour ENDS HERE.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Show 12 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for people requiring mobility aids, e.g. a stick, 6km of hilly walking is demanding. Contact me for a private tour
  • 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
  • 4½ HOURS is a long time so BREAKFAST. Think everybody’s favourite Gameskeeper: if your feet haven’t swollen to baby Dolphins - keep shovelling!

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the JK Rowling’s Edinburgh & the Writing of Harry Potter 4¼hrs?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-65182P1

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.85
203 reviews

Average 4.85 out of 5 stars based on 203 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
175
4 stars
25
3 stars
3
2 stars
0
1 star
0

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What's Included

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Resurrection stone. To revive the magic
  • Escort back to Edinburgh’s ‘Harry Potter’ street at the end if you wish
  • 4½ 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
  • Discounted all day parking cost £10, please contact me
  • Genocide: We’re a local company compliant with Scottish law
  • Tips: Help!
  • Flexibility: due to the start point it’s difficult to cut the tour short SEEK my 8hr Potterhead tour
  • 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
  • French. If your English is weak I am able to appoint a French guide, please contact me
  • Potter guides & aspiring guides: please look elsewhere, I love you but I have too many "tributes"

Additional Info

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for people requiring mobility aids, e.g. a stick, 6km of hilly walking is demanding. Contact me for a private tour
  • Travelers 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 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
  • 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

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American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

Cancellation Policy

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

Free cancellation
100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).

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American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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