Harry Potter Filming Locations Scotland

Find your inner witch or wizard, ready to explore

The Magical World Of Harry Potter

Originating as a series of seven novels written by J K Rowling, eight films then followed bringing to life the adventures of the young wizard we know as Harry Potter, and his two friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The eight films were, in the majority, filmed across the United Kingdom and at the Warner Brothers Studio near London; meaning that there is an abundance of places to visit for every ‘Potterhead’ looking to submerge themselves in the magical world of Hogwarts and Harry Potter. Scotland is home to some of the most famous Harry Potter filming locations.

From travelling in the path of your favourite witches and wizards as they ventured to Hogwarts on the Hogwarts Express as you visit and ride on the West Coast Railways Jacobite Steam Train, to visiting a Harry Potter themed ‘Escape Room’ in Edinburgh, or making a stop at the cafés where J K Rowling wrote some of her novels. Or perhaps stopping in awe to take in the Glenfinnan Viaduct where Ron & Harry caught up with the Hogwarts Express in ‘The Chamber of Secrets’ film, there is plenty for every ‘Potterhead’ to enjoy as they adventure across Scotland exploring each filming location and so much more.

Edinburgh, photo: vichie81 - stock.adobe.com

Flying Car, Photo: Pixabay, runextreme

Photo: Pixabay, woldomiguez

Harry Potter Filming Locations Scotland: Hogwarts Express

The Harry Potter Scotland Route also offers

… Spectacular Scenery
… A Magnitude of Lochs
… Sites of Significance to J. K. Rowling
… Even an Interactive Potions Class

Type of Route:            Themed route
Theme:                   Harry Potter Filming Location
Start / finish:              Loch Etive / Edinburgh
Length:                        517 Miles / 832 km
Region:              Scotland
Holiday region:          Edinburgh, Scottish Highlands

Whilst the routes’ exciting purpose is to find and explore Harry Potter’s own magical world, the filming locations used allow you to explore the Scottish Highlands as well as both the medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town of Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh.

When visiting the various lochs and locations featured in the Harry Potter films throughout the Scottish Highlands you’ll be submerged into magnificent magical surroundings that provide more than just the site in which the movies were filmed, but opportunities to hike, take boat trips, train rides and so much more. Follow the walking trails at Loch Eilt, enjoy a boat ride on Loch Shiel, ride the Jacobite Steam Train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct or perhaps pause to take in the wildlife and birds, you may even catch a glimpse of a Golden Eagle.

No matter which part of the magical journey you are at, there is a hidden extra or two around every corner of the tour for all the party to enjoy.

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Glencoe, Photo: Pixabay, Craighunter

Harry Potter Things To Do In Real Life In Scotland ft. Brizzy Voices (Part 1: Edinburgh)

HARRY POTTER SCOTLAND HIGHLIGHTS

In a 2002 interview, J K Rowling herself explained that Hogwarts School was always “imagined to be in Scotland”, so whether you’re exploring Harry Potter Scotland filming locations as an add on to the completed Harry Potter’s England tour and London extension or using Harry Potter Scotland Tour as a starting place, there is certainly a lot of magic to fly around.

Offering both a main tour around Scotland itself and an Edinburgh city extension there is plenty to explore on the Harry Potter Scotland Filming Location Tour to find yourself immersed in the magical world of Harry Potter surrounded by the Scottish Highlands you’ll feel as if you yourself might be on route to Hogwarts yourself.

There were many Lochs used during the filming of the Harry Potter movies, whilst we have included many of the main Lochs in the main section of the tour there may still be more that played small ‘parts’ in the films.

Whilst in Edinburgh visit the site of J. K. Rowling’s Handprints, an interactive Potions Class at ‘The Cauldron Co’, Greyfriars Kirkyard where you may recognise some familiar names and then the Department of Magic where you can “escape” either the ‘Prophecies Quest’ or ‘Dark Lord Resurrection’ amongst many other exciting stops.

More Attractions

Wands, Olivanders, photo: Pixabay, FF16

Below are the full details of the routes stops in Scotland including, Loch Etive & Glen Etive, Glencoe, Rannoch MoorandWalking Trails, Loch Shiel, Loch Eilt, Loch Morar, Glenfinnan Viaduct (Parking Details Here), West Coast Railways Jacobite Steam Train, Steall Waterfalls, Loch ArkaigandBlack Rock Gorge.

The Edinburgh extension includes Spoon Café, Department of Magic, J. K. Rowling Handprints, Museum Context, Edinburgh Castle, The Cauldron Co, Greyfriars Kirkyard, The Elephant HouseandGeorge Heriot's School.

Harry Potter Filming Locations Scotland

Loch Etive & Glen Etive - Nr., Glencoe

Used in both parts of the Deathly Hallows films Loch Etive is featured in two memorable scenes. The first being in the Deathly Hallows Part 1, where Etive was used as the backdrop for the camp Harry, Hermione and Ron’s used during the time Ron left after being consumed with jealousy after wearing the Horcrux necklace for too long. During the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Loch Etive was used as water that Harry, Hermione and Ron jumped into from the back of Gringotts Dragon, the Ukrainian Ironbelly.

Glencoe - Ballachulish

Glencoe has been used as the location for a few scenes within the films; however, the most iconic use of Glencoe was in the third film where the set of Hagrid’s Hut was built onsite in Glencoe. Used for all the filming around Buckbeak’s story in the Prisoner of Azkaban, the scene amongst the pumpkins and in the background of Hermine’s iconic moment punching Draco Malfoy. Whilst the set may no longer be at Glencoe, the breath-taking background is still very much recognisable.

Rannoch Moor - West of Loch Rannoch

At around 50 square miles Rannoch Moor covers a large area west of Loch Rannoch with boggy moorland. This expanse of land was used in the Deathly Hallows Part 1, for the scene in which Death Eaters stop and search the Hogwarts Express train for Harry Potter as it travels onward to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. If visiting Rannock Moor using one of its walking trails isn’t of appeal, Rannoch Moor can also be seen when traveling on the Jacobite Steam Train.

Loch Shiel - Glenfinnan

Loch Shiel appears in all of the eight films, even if just for a moment as a backdrop however, it is the keeper of some mementoes scenes within the films. One of Loch Shiels most notable features comes in the Goblet of Fire during ‘The Triwizard Tournament’ where the second, underwater, round was held. Following a short climb the Glenfinnan Monument offers a great view of the Loch, this is at a fee and requires booked tickets.

Loch Eilt - Lochaber

Loch Eilt is a location that was used throughout many of the films as background scenery and in the Prisoner of Azkaban when Hagrid is skimming stones; however, the most recognisable use to all ‘Potterheads’ will be the location of Dumbledore’s burial site. During the Deathly Hallows Part 1, this is where Voldemort visits to retrieve, the Elder Wand from Dumbledore’s grave. You may think that Loch Eilt looks a little different in person, perhaps a little smaller, this is because shots taken at Loch Arkaig and Loch Eilt were blending together to create the Directors vision.

Loch Morar - Nr., Morar

Whilst many bodies of water were used to represent Hogwarts Lake, Loch Morar was one of the main ones used for the close-up shots throughout the films. Due to the close-up nature of the scenes featuring Loch Morar there may not be too many characteristics that stand out when you visit the area.

Glenfinnan Viaduct

The iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct is seen in two of the Harry Potter films, both the Chamber of Secrets and the Prisoner of Azkaban. In the second film this is where Ron & Harry catch up with the Hogwarts Express in Mr Weasley’s flying Ford Anglia, then in the third film this is where the Dementor’s stop the train and Professor Lupin jumps into action to save young Harry. For the best views of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, you will need to take a short hike from the car parking area. If you wish to take a photo of the train passing over the Glenfinnan Viaduct it is possible to check the timings in the FAQ section of the West Coast Railways website.

West Coast Railways, Jacobite Steam Train - Fort William & Mallaig

Featured in all eight films the ‘Hogwarts Express’ follows the route between Fort William and Mallaig. Although the exact train, (5972 Olton Hall), is now on display at Warner Brothers Studio in London, the beautiful journey can still be taken using another of West Coast Railways trains and some of the carriages used for filming are still in use today. This is a seasonal train that runs only from April to October each year, so it is important to plan your visit in advance.

Steall Waterfalls - Nr., Fort William

After a short hike you’ll come across Steall Waterfalls, here you’ll instantly recognise the waterfall as a backdrop used flying scenes in many of the films and even a Quidditch Match or two. You may perhaps recognise the falls more predominantly from the fourth film from a few scenes during ‘The Triwizard Tournament’.

Loch Arkaig - Nr., Achnacarry, Spean Bridge

Used primarily for the filming of both the Deathly Hallows Part 1 & 2, Loch Arkaig can be recognised from some of the wider shots of Harry, Hermione, and Ron’s descent from the Gringotts Dragon after their escape from the Wizarding Bank. Loch Arkaig was also used during the filming of Dumbledore’s resting place and can be recognised in some of the shots shown within the film.

Black Rock Gorge - Nr., Evanton

After a short hike to the Black Rock Gorge it will become easily recognisable from Harry’s dangerous encounter with the Hungarian Horntail during ‘The Triwizard Tournament’ in the Goblet of Fire.

Jacobit Steam Train, Glenfinnan Railway Viaduct, Photo: Marcin - stock.adobe.com

Harry Potter Filming Locations Scotland: Jacobit Steam Train, Glenfinnan Railway Viaduct

Extension Tour

Harry Potter Filming Locations Edinburgh

Spoon Café (Was Nicolson’s Café) - 6a Nicolson St, Edinburgh, EH8 9DH

Although now closed, a great place to start your Harry Potter Edinburgh tour is Spoon, which was one of the Edinburgh cafés where J K Rowling wrote her first of the novels, ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone’.

Department of Magic - 9 Blair St, Edinburgh, EH1 1QR

The ‘Department of Magic’ is home to a lot of fun with two escape rooms ‘Prophecies Quest’ and ‘Dark Lord Resurrection’ as well as offering a ‘Potion Experience’ of ‘magic’ cocktails or non-alcoholic, child friendly potions.

J. K. Rowling Handprints - 2 Warriston's Cl, High St, Edinburgh, EH1 1PG

A must see for all Harry Potter fans, J K Rowling’s handprints located near St Giles’ Cathedral.

Museum Context - 42-44 Cockburn St, Edinburgh, EH1 1PB AND 40 Victoria St, Edinburgh, EH1 2JW

Both the ‘Museum Context’ locations are stores home to official Harry Potter merchandise. Whether you want to purchase a Harry Potter souvenir or not, this is somewhere you’ll want to visit and browse or even pick up some ‘Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans’. Whilst walking along Victoria Street you may even believe you’ve found Rowling’s inspiration for Diagon Alley.

Edinburgh Castle - Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG

Although not a “confirmed” location of inspiration for J K Rowling’s Hogwarts, the cafés in which Rowling wrote her early novels are within a short stroll of the castle. Looking at the castle you can quickly understand why this is widely believed in the Harry Potter community as the resemblance of Hogwarts to Edinburgh Castle is striking.

The Cauldron Co - 57a Frederick St, Edinburgh, EH2 1LH

An interactive experience that brings Potion Class to life. Start with a drink poured by the wave of a magic wand, the brewing of two “potions” and an over all 1-hour, 45-minute experience. Ticket options available for all ages, this is a truly immersive experience.

Greyfriars Kirkyard, Thomas Riddell's Grave - Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh, EH1 2QE

Greyfriars Kirkyard is located near to the cafés that J K Rowling references writing some of her earliest Harry Potter books. Although not known for certain it is believed that Rowling took inspiration from some of the names on the stones as these names include Thomas Riddell, William McGonagall and Elizabeth Moodie.

The Elephant House - 21 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EN

Not only voted best coffee shop in Edinburgh by The List magazine, this is also a Potter fan must visit as this is where J K Rowling often frequented. Quoted from their website “J K Rowling had her first book published while she was writing in the back room overlooking Edinburgh Castle, making The Elephant House the “birthplace” of the series of Harry Potter novels”.

George Heriot's School - Lauriston Pl, Edinburgh, EH3 9EQ

George Heriot’s School is a stones throw from the University of Edinburgh and National Museum of Scotland. The school is known to provide free places to orphaned children, offering a similarity to the storyline of both Tom Riddle and Harry Potter himself, when they as orphans joined Hogwarts School. When looking on to George Heriot's School the thought comes to mind that this may also have contributed towards Rowling’s inspiration for Hogwarts.

Harry Potter Film Locations in Scotland [Filmed by Drone!]

Harry Potter Filming Locations Scotland

CAMPSITES ALONG THE WAY

With so many locations spread out around the UK it’s important to have the perfect spots lined up to stop and recharge before your next day of magical adventure, below are some perfectly placed camp sites to serve you on your journey to visit Harry Potter filming locations in Scotland;

Creagan Station Tourers

Located just 30 minutes from the first stop on your journey, Loch Eilt, Creagan Station Tourers is the ideal location to start your Scottish ‘Potter’ journey.

Set on the edge of Loch Creran nestled within stunning surroundings this site provides a great base to explore the local Lochs, Scottish countryside, and opportunity for adventure.

Offering a selection of pitches both under and over 4M, Toilet and Shower facilities, hardstanding pitches, chemical waste facilities and much more, the full information on site facilities can be found here.

Bunree Club Campsite

Set just South of Fort William on the edge of Loch Linnhe, Bunree Club Campsite is a Caravan and Motorhome Club site offering breath-taking Loch side pitches which on occasion allow for sea otters to be spotted from your camp site.

Situated in the perfect position to visit Loch Eil, Loch Leven and Loch Linnhe this site is also a short drive along the Loch edge to Fort William and the West Coast Railways, Jacobite Steam Train, an iconic stop as you follow the Harry Potter Scotland route.

Facilities include a dishwashing area, electric hook-up available, toilet block, family washroom and much more. Full facilities and information can be found here.

Natali - stock.adobe.com

Wizard chess

Dave's Rest

Located within a quiet residential area, surrounded by greenery and stones throw from Loch Ness, Dave’s Rest is a 20 minute walk from the village centre of Drumnadrochit with a local bakery, cafés, takeaways, pubs and even the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition.

The perfect stop to make on your way North towards Black Rock Gorge where you’ll take in the site of Harry’s round with the Hungarian Horntail during ‘The Triwizard Tournament’.

The site offers both Elsan and Grey waste disposal as well as Fresh water and Limited Electric Hookups and full information about the site can be found following the button below.

Black Isle Stud

A small park located just 20 minutes from your last stop, Black Rock Gorge, accessed via a bridge across Cromarty Firth, this site offers breath taking surroundings including views of the Ben Wyvis mountain.

This site is known to be a somewhere that a variety of wildlife is regularly sighted, Buzzards, Red Kites and Ospreys fly above whilst on the ground sightings of hares, roe deer, red squirrels, and a pine marten or two have been known.

Facilities include chemical waste and fresh water supply, more information about the site can be found following the button below.

Dumbledore’s Grave, Photo: hopsalka - stock.adobe.com

Dumbledore’s Grave island: Eilean Na Moine sits in a corner of Loch Eilt in the Scottish Highlands

Slatebarns

Set near both Rosslyn Castle and Wallace's Cave, just outside of Edinburgh, Slatebarns Campsite is only one hour’s bus journey away to the centre of Edinburgh, ready for you to explore the extension of Harry Potter’s Scotland tour.

Slatebarns campsite is a Caravan and Motorhome Club site set on a Working Farm just walking distance into the village centre of Roslin with its shop, post office, pubs, cafés, and children’s park amongst other amenities.

Offering battery charging, toilets, hardstanding pitches and electric hook-ups the site is also a 2 minute walk to ‘Rosslyn Chapel’ and the ‘Rosslyn Chapel Visitor Centre Café’. Full facilities information can be found here.

Harry Potter Filming Locations Scotland