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The full fan tour of Edinburgh: discover the city which inspired Harry Potter and join a potion workshop!

Edinburgh history private guided tour tag 2

4h30

Welcome to the Edinburgh school of magic! Start by enjoying an extended version of our “Edinburgh: discover the city which inspired Harry Potter” tour. Afterwards, head for a potion workshop where you’ll be able to make two potions and enjoy a drink poured with the flick of a wand.

Did you know that Thomas Riddell has a grave in a cemetery in Edinburgh? Or that the white stag is a symbol of the city? We can never know what inspires an author, as their creativity comes from many different sources, but during a walking tour of the Old Town, you will discover all the legends and hidden spots of Edinburgh which surrounded JK Rowling while she lived here in 1993.


Tour Highlights:

  • Greyfriars Kirkyard: Venture into the atmospheric Greyfriars Kirkyard, where gravestones bearing familiar names like Thomas Riddell and William McGonagall will spark your wizarding imagination.

  • Victoria Street: Wander down the charming Victoria Street, a vibrant and winding thoroughfare which might have inspired Diagon Alley. Marvel at the eclectic shops and colourful facades.

  • Grassmarket: Executions took place in this market from the 15th century, and they may have inspired a famous beheaded ghost or two!

  • Royal Mile: Discover the core of Edinburgh’s Old Town and how its small streets and structure influenced the wizarding world.

  • National Museum of Scotland: Discover objects from the Celtic collections of the museum with connection to the wizarding world.

  • Edinburgh Futures Institute: Learn more about the real witches of Scotland standing behind the Harry Potter stories.

  • Potion making workshop: After learning everything behind the scenes, it is time for you to properly join the School of Magic! Head to an underground wizard lab and become a student during a potion workshop. Start by putting on your wizard cape and pouring yourself a welcome drink using your interactive magical wand. Then create two smoking, bubbling, or even colour changing potions of your choice from a selection of recipes. Adults can even create alcoholic potions!

Price

1 participant: £298

2 participants: £178 each

3 participants: £138 each

4 participants: £118 each

5 participants: £106 each

6 participants: £98 each

7 participants: £92.5 each

Contact us for groups over 7 people


  • £7 discount for children

  • £2 per pax discount for student groups

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Email info@tddsscots.com to check our availability. This activity runs Wednesday to Sunday and starts at 13:00

Meeting Point

Statue of James Braidwood, Parliament Square, Edinburgh, UK

Minimum Age

5+/ note that children under 5 will not be accepted in the premises

Fitness Requirements

Low / Guests should be able to walk 3h (under 7km of walking distance)

Wheelchair accessibility: The tour is not wheelchair accessible

Cancellation Policy

  • The tour can be rescheduled at no costs until 7 days before the tour start time.

  • £45 per pax are non refundable, however the rest of the payment is fully refundable until 7 days before the start of the tour. The tour is non refundable after that time

  • If you fail to show up for your reservation or arrive more than 15 minutes after your scheduled time without prior notice, your booking will be considered a no-show, and the reservation will be forfeited without a refund

  • Guests are responsible for any damage they cause to the property, equipment, or fixtures used as part of the tour and potion experience

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