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Harry Potter locations in Scotland

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Scotland is a place full of magic and beauty and I really enjoy writing about it. It has also been the source of inspiration for many famous writers like the amazing J.K. Rowling and her fantasy novels of Harry Potter. She wrote most of the Harry Potter books in the stunning city of Edinburgh, and if you visit the city, you can still visit some of these places today. 

Cover Picture Credits @ eyfoto - Dragon breathing fire at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida.

She wrote her first books in several coffee shops such as The Elephant House (check the article Edinburgh, home of Harry Potter)  when she first moved to the capital of Scotland in 1993 with her baby daughter, where her sister and brother in law were living - after divorcing her Portuguese husband. But this article is not about J.K Rowling’s life, which is very interesting – the previous paragraphs were just a short introduction to have a bit of a background. In this article, you are about to find out about some more links between Scotland and Harry Potter and some more places that inspired J.K. Rowling. 

Victoria Street as Diagon Alley

It makes lots of sense why the writer found so many sources of inspirations in Edinburgh, since it's the kind of perfect city to help writers find their imagination – Edinburgh’s architecture is a stunning juxtaposition of narrow medieval buildings, Victorian turrets and Gothic spires. In my opinion, Victoria Street is one of the most unique and beautiful streets in Edinburgh, and J.K Rowling happened to think the same since she included Victoria Street in the form of Diagon Alley in her fantasy books. Victoria Street is also one of the most photographed streets of the capital of Scotland. This narrow, curved, dual-level street is also home to lots of colourful shops and it is also a good place to pick up some souvenirs and walk around Edinburgh’s Old Town. In the books, all types of items on a Hogwarts supply list can found and bought in Diagon Alley…So I think it is pretty obvious the correlation between these two streets! 

Picture Credits to Jamie Fraser
Picture Credits to Jamie Fraser
Picture Credits to Julio Fernandez - Victoria Street. Edimburgh.
Picture Credits to Julio Fernandez - Victoria Street. Edimburgh.
Victoria Street in Edinburgh
Victoria Street in Edinburgh
Victoria St, Edinburgh EH1, Reino Unido

Glenfinnan Viaduct

I think almost every Harry Potter fan has thought and fantasized about boarding the Hogwarts Express. Well The Jacobite Steam Train does not take you to Hogwarts, but it takes you through the magnificent 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct, which played its part as the bridge leading to Hogwarts in the Hogwarts Express. This viaduct is north of the town of Glenfinnan and it's not difficult to get to, since it is just a few minutes from the car park. The views from there are absolutely beautiful!

Glenfinnan Railway Viaduct in Scotland with the Jacobite steam train passing over - Picture Credtis to miroslav_1
Glenfinnan Railway Viaduct in Scotland with the Jacobite steam train passing over - Picture Credtis to miroslav_1
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Glenfinnan Viaduct, A830 Rd, Glenfinnan PH37 4LT, Reino Unido

If you are a Harry Potter fan, all these incredible places in Scotland in which J.K Rowling got inspired should be high up in you bucket list!

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The author

Helena Guerrero Gonzalez

Helena Guerrero Gonzalez

I’m a seeker of energy and life, currently living in Spain, although I have lived in the UK too. Travelling, exploring, making new friends along the way and sharing my personal experiences are essential parts of my life.

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