This wonderful post was written by Neil last March when he was in Edinburgh for the Edinburgh Yarn Festival. I decided that I’d keep it to post now as EYF 2018 approaches. Wishing everyone who is lucky enough to be visiting Edinburgh and the Festival a magical time! Thank you Neil!
I couldn’t resist putting together this special Edinburgh blog post for you – especially if you are a fan of Harry Potter like Nicolette and I. A walk around Edinburgh imagining Harry Potter wandering through Diagon Alley or at least Edinburgh’s equivalent!
Edinburgh Castle
When Nicolette and I planned our visit to Edinburgh, I certainly hadn’t been thinking about the links the city has with Harry Potter. I was concentrating on how to get to the Yarn Festival and what to see while I was there.
Nevertheless, the links to Harry Potter were just too considerable for me to ignore.
Of course, everyone knows that J K Rowling spent much of her time in Edinburgh when she was writing the early books in the series. However, this was not on my radar as I went about sightseeing and travelling to and from the Corn Exchange (the venue for the Yarn Festival).
Not on my radar, that is, until my eye was caught by a set of small flyers set on a commonplace window cill.
The window in question was on Market Street, which I was passing on my way past Waverley Station towards a bus stop on Princes Street. I don’t know what it was that made me pick up the leaflet. However, it was a leaflet for the Elephant House – the cafe where much of the early Harry Potter series was written.
Storing the leaflet away in my pocket for safekeeping, I brought it out again two days later when I had some time to wander about the city. I set the navigation app on my phone to direct me to the Elephant House, and off I went to explore!
Up and down the narrow alleyways I went.
Alleyway beside Miss Katie Cupcake shop
The passageways and lanes reminded me of Diagon Alley – or even Knockturn Alley.
Alleyway beside Half Way House Free House
When I reached the Elephant House, it didn’t disappoint.
The Elephant House
Black Elephant Sign
The Elephant House menu board with a few elephants
Whilst waiting to be served, I wondered which seat J K liked to sit in. I took this photo of one of the tables and imagined her sitting there to write and enjoying the view of the city below.
Table by the Window
In the display, the cafe had a signed copy of a 1st edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
I loved the way that the owners of the cafe had left all of the Harry Potter graffiti in the toilets for people to admire and add to!!
Later, when I was walking along South Bridge, I happened upon a bookshop called Blackwells, which had this wonderful Harry Potter display in the window!
Such a cool display! It must have taken a long time to get set up.
Of course, the ultimate location from the series has to be Hogwarts. I can just imagine the influence Edinburgh Castle must have had when J K was creating Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I could certainly visualize ghosts, wizards and magical goings on in such a magnificent setting.
Edinburgh Castle at night
Especially when there is a Whomping Willow-type tree in the foreground!!
I was really impressed by the two stone guards standing at the front entrance of the Castle. Very reminiscent of the guards that come to life in The Deathly Hallows, I thought.
Two stone guards at Edinburgh Castle
My explorations took me next to Holyrood Palace. I was struck by the similarity of the Great Hall in Hogwarts to the ruined Holyrood Abbey, dating back to the 12th Century.
The ornate stonework above the entrance to the Abbey
Finally, I just loved the stone carvings on the fountain to the forecourt at Holyrood Palace. Just maybe the stag could have been an inspiration for Harry’s patronus.
I’m probably getting a bit carried with my connections at this point, so I’d better stop. But it was fun linking the two together. Let me know if you have any thoughts about the connections between Edinburgh and the Harry Potter series.
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Having visited Edinburgh I can confirm that it is indeed a magical city and that the yarn festival is a riot of inventiveness and colour.
Great post Neil.
Thank you Dorothy, I think you guys had an amazing time! Love, Nicolette
Neil and Nicolette,
I enjoyed the post and especially all the photos. I know many people who are Harry Potter fans and have read all the books. Edinburgh would be a lovely place to visit, but for now thank you Neil for the travelogue.
Thank you so much.
How lovely. My family visited Edinburgh a few years ago and loved it. This brought back sweet memories and made me see the city in a new, magical light.
Thank you, so pleased you enjoyed the post. Neil took so many photos I felt like I’d visited this special city. I look forward to seeing Edinburgh, although probably not this year.
What a brilliant way to start my day! Thank you Neil, it’s a great read and the photos are terrific. Can’t wait for chapter two!
He’ll be delighted you enjoyed the post!