Discovering the Magic of Edinburgh: The Potter Trail Harry Potter Tour

Nestled among the cobbled streets and historic buildings of Edinburgh, Scotland, lies a world of enchantment that has captured the hearts of millions worldwide.

This city, rich in history and charm, also serves as a magical backdrop for the world of Harry Potter. As a passionate traveller and obsessive Potterhead (Ravenclaw here!), I couldn't resist the allure of The Potter Trail, a guided tour that promised to unravel the spells and secrets behind the beloved series.

A Magical Start

The adventure began at the iconic Greyfriar Bobby statue, a charming little dog that symbolizes loyalty and devotion. Tourists from all over the world come to rub his nose because it’s said to bring them luck. But the guides ask you not to do that as it’s wearing down Bobby’s nose. Here, I joined a group of fellow enthusiasts and our guide, dressed in a wizarding cloak, ready to take us on a magical journey. The Potter Trail, offered on a by-donation basis, was a wonderful touch, allowing everyone to contribute what they could and making the magic accessible to all. They also asked for donations at the end of the tour so people could pay based on what they felt the tour was worth (It is worth a ton, guys!).

The guide wanted it to be as interactive as possible and brought a handful of wands. First come first serve… You better believe I got in there. Sorry kids.

Greyfriars Kirkyard: A Stroll Through Inspiration

Our first stop was Greyfriars Kirkyard, a historic cemetery that holds more than just gravestones. This eerie yet fascinating place is where Rowling found the names of some of her most memorable characters. As we wandered through the kirkyard, our guide pointed out the tombstone of Thomas Riddell, the inspiration for the Dark Lord himself, Voldemort. It was both thrilling and chilling to stand in front of the grave that sparked the creation of such an iconic villain.

The kirkyard also features the grave of William McGonagall, a poet known for his notoriously bad verse, whose surname Rowling bestowed upon Hogwarts' stern yet beloved professor, Minerva McGonagall. Each gravestone told a story, weaving together the threads of history and fiction in a way that only Edinburgh could.

The photo op in front of Tom Riddell’s grave was also pretty fun!

George Heriot's School: The Hogwarts Connection

From within the Kirkyard, we saw George Heriot's School, a prestigious private school that served as the inspiration for Hogwarts. While we didn’t get to go inside the guide provided incredible insight about the school, so it was easy to see the parallels. The school's four houses and impressive structure echoed the very essence of Hogwarts, making it a fitting muse for the creation of the school we know and love.

I don’t think I was the only person on the tour who was a wee-bit jealous of the students who have actually attended that school!

Many believe that Edinburgh Castle was the inspiration for Hogwarts, but this is not true. However, it’s still a beautiful castle and fun to spot all around the city. I highly recommend if you’re in Edinburgh, touring the castle just to see the castle!

The University of Edinburgh and Potterrow Port

Our journey continued to the University of Edinburgh, specifically George Square. JK Rowling received a postgraduate certificate from the University of Edinburgh in 1996 in modern languages. But this stop was a means to an end, as it was on the way to an important underpass. We walked under Potterrow Port, a site that inspired the scene where Harry and Dudley encounter the Dementors. The dimly lit, tunnel-like atmosphere felt eerily similar to the book's description, adding a layer of authenticity to the tour.

While walking through the tunnel, you can definitely see the similarities, and it’s conveniently in the middle of the town.

The Elephant House and Nicholson's Café

As we moved towards the famous Elephant House, our guide shared an interesting fun fact: while the Elephant House is popularly known as the birthplace of Harry Potter, Rowling actually wrote much of the series in an old café called Nicholson's (now called Spoons). This nugget of information added a fascinating twist to the narrative and highlighted the often-overlooked spots that played a crucial role in the creation of Harry Potter.

But shh, don’t tell people about Spoons, or it’ll get too busy!

Photo from “OutdoorActive.com”

Victoria Street: The Real Diagon Alley

Our final major stop was the bustling Victoria Street, a vibrant and winding road that served as the inspiration for Diagon Alley. Lined with colourful shopfronts and quirky boutiques, Victoria Street exudes a sense of wonder and whimsy that is perfectly suited to the magical shopping district of Rowling's imagination. As our guide explained why this street was chosen, it was easy to imagine witches and wizards bustling about, purchasing their wands and spellbooks.

In the 90’s (when Rowling was writing the books) Victoria Street was bright and vibrant (much like it is today), but off the street there was a dim and spooky alley, which became the inspiration for the eeriness of Knockturn Alley. The two together created the shopping districts we know and love from the series.

To cap off the magical experience, we snuck into the official Harry Potter store in “Diagon Alley”. It was like stepping into a shop in the real deal, filled with all manner of wizarding wonders. I couldn't resist buying Professor McGonagall's wand, a perfect souvenir to remember this magical adventure.

Personal Reflections and Final Thoughts

As the tour drew to a close, I found myself reflecting on the magic of Edinburgh and the profound impact it had on J.K. Rowling's work. The Potter Trail was more than just a walk through the city; it was a journey through the imagination and creativity of an author’s mind.

As someone who is also a writer, it provided me with a lot to reflect on for my own work. JK Rowling was just an average person with an idea. She wrote in small coffee shops, was a single mom, didn’t have a lot of money, was an average student and got a slew of no’s before the one yes that changed her life. And her work changed the lives of millions of people. These tours are jam-packed with people.

Edinburgh's charm lies not only in its historic sites and stunning architecture but also in its ability to inspire and nurture creativity. For any Harry Potter fan, this tour is a must-do experience, offering a deeper understanding of the world that has enchanted readers for over two decades.

Whether you’re a die-hard Potterhead or simply a lover of history and literature, The Potter Trail in Edinburgh promises a magical adventure that will leave you spellbound. So grab your wand, don your cloak and step into the world of Harry Potter–the magic awaits.

To book your Potter Trail tour, head to their website and grab your FREE ticket.

5 Best Things To Do In Stirling, Scotland

Okay, hear me out.

Sure, Stirling is not one of the big cities in Scotland and when people think of cool things to do, they often think of Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Isle of Sky. But, if I’m being honest, my favourite city in Scotland is actually Stirling.

You can read all about my adventures the first time I ever travelled in one of my earlier blogs!

There were so many things I loved about Stirling; the quietness, the unhurried atmosphere, the feelings of safety and freedom (probably from it being the first place I had ever really travelled to) but it also has some incredibly beautiful historic sites just like you’d find in Edinburgh.

So, here are the 5 best (in my opinion) things to do in Stirling, Scotland:

1. Stirling Castle

Inside Stirling Castle with a view of Queen Anne’s Garden (Adobe Stock Photo)

Okay, duh, I know, but it had to make the list. Stirling Castle, while it may not be as well-known as Edinburgh Castle, is a beautiful castle known for being the place where Mary Queen of Scots was crowned in 1543. I have been to visit this castle 4 (or 5) times now and the fiction novel I’m writing (if it ever gets finished) is based in Stirling and at Stirling Castle.

While a little bit smaller than Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle is still a large and fully intact castle that you can visit. It does get busy during tourist season but not nearly as busy as Edinburgh Castle. If you’re hoping for less of a crowd, I would suggest going when it rains. Let’s be honest, rain is Scotland’s natural climate and I feel, if you’re hoping for an authentic Scotland feel, you should embrace the rain. But, rain does often draw tourists away, so if you can handle it, then I highly recommend it.

It’s less than £20 pounds to visit and you can get an explorer pass to save and visit other landmarks as well!

2. The Old Stirling Bridge

The Old Stirling Bridge (Photo by Photos By Dave)

I’ve mentioned this bridge before and I have told my story in the blog linked above! You can go check it out if you’re interested!

I think this bridge is the most beautiful bridge I’ve ever seen. With a rich history. Here is an overview written by Historic Environment Scotland:

The present Stirling Old Bridge was built in the 1400s or 1500s, replacing a succession of timber bridges. Undoubtedly the best-known of these was one that stood nearby in the 1290s, when Sir William Wallace and Sir Andrew Moray defeated Edward I’s forces at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297.

The bridge also played a part in the Jacobite Rising of 1745, when an arch was removed to forestall Bonnie Prince Charlie’s forces as they marched south. The bridge today remains one of the best medieval masonry arch bridges in Scotland.

This bridge is a quick walk from Stirling Castle. It’s a pedestrian-only bridge and if you’re walking to the Wallace Monument, then this is where you’ll cross. It’s free to go to and I highly recommend reading the plate in front to learn more about the history!

3. Old Town

Entrance to the start of the Old Town Stirling Walking Tour

Old Town was fun! I explored this by myself and got to take my time looking at all of the buildings that are part of the “Old Town” of Stirling. If you go and explore by yourself, then this is free to do! I believe they have tours you can take, especially if you’re hoping to learn more about the sites but I took a travel book and learned on my own.

Included in Old Town are sites like the Old Town Jail, the Church of the Holy Rude and Graveyard, Argyll’s Lodging, The Tolbooth, etc. There is lots to do and if you take your time, this can take an entire day!

Find a walking tour here!

4. The Wallace Monument

View of the Wallace Monument in Stirling, Scotland from iStock

There are some great monuments in Scotland and the Wallace Monument should be on that list. What I preferred about this one over the Scot Monument in Edinburgh was that it didn’t get too skinny at the top that people had a hard time going up and down.

The Wallace Monument was opened in 1869 and was built to honour William Wallace, who was instrumental in bringing the Scots the victory they had at the Battle Of Stirling Bridge. This monument took 8 years to complete but talk of the monument started in 1818.

The monument is 246 steps to the top and the view is stunning! You can see the Wallace Monument in the distance from many landmarks around the town including Stirling Castle and the Old Stirling Bridge (the place where my husband proposed and many of our photos have the monument in the background).

Learn more here.

5. The Beheading Stone

Sarah standing in front of the Beheading Stone (Photo taken on early 2000s digital camera)

Stay with me here… I know this is not on most top lists but this is definitely worth the trek.

When I was taking my tour of Old Town one of the things listed was the Beheading Stone. So, I set out to find it. But this was 2014 so I didn’t have my phone and Google Maps to rely on. I had that travel guide you see in my hands with a small map.

It took me hours to actually find this when I’m pretty confident it was only a short walk from the Church of the Holy Rude Graveyard that I started at. But because of this, I actually got to see a lot of really great sites around Stirling (many of which I have since added to my book). I almost gave up but then I finally found it (don’t ask me how! I don’t think I could find that route again if I tried). When I did, I discovered, it was literally just a rock. But the view was amazing!

You pretty much could see all of Old Town and most of Stirling. I ended up having a wonderful chat with an older Scottish woman (who took this photo for me) and it ended up being one of my favourite parts.

It’s free to see and if you somehow take the crazy route I took, you’ll also get a great little hike in!

Stirling has some wonderful and memorable sites that make it well worth the visit. It’s only a short train ride from Glasgow and if you’re looking for something a little slower, this is where I’d recommend going.

But shh, don’t tell your friends and make it super busy. This is just between us!

I also made a YouTube video about my time in Stirling! Go check it out and give me some love!

5 Tips For Travelling As An Introvert

Get ready for your introvert travelling survival guide.

Are you like me?

I’m an introvert, INFJ, Enneagram 6, sensitive soul and HSP. All things quiet, sensitive and introverted.

If you are like me you’ll know that travelling to another country where there are new people and things, especially if you’re travelling with other people or even a group, can be daunting and challenging and ultimately draining.

But if you create a great plan that allows for some flexibility, while also taking care of your needs, then you’ll have the trip of a lifetime every time!

Here are 5 tips for having a great time travelling as an introvert:

1. Always have an escape route

If you are travelling with a group or in a place that is typically a really social place such as an all-inclusive somewhere having an escape plan for activities or wherever you’re going is key.

Research the city, place or activity you’re planning on doing that day and see what is around. Green spaces and nature work best sometimes even just having a couple of minutes of a breather in the street can help. Popping into a library, museum or coffee shop can also help. Even though a coffee shop is typically full of people you can still find quieter ones.

Even if you don’t use your escape route sometimes it helps your brain to simply know that you have one, that you’re willing to take care of yourself if you need it. But I highly recommend having one.

Sarah wandering through Santorini for a break

Photo taken on iPhone 14 Pro

2. Build quiet time into your day

Plan ahead and build this in as a proactive tip. Try to add this into the middle of your day if you can.

This can include sightseeing by yourself in quieter sections of the town you’re in, going to the beach and decompressing if you’re in a place where there’s a beach nearby, grabbing a book, podcast, audiobook, etc. and spending an hour reading on your own either in your accommodation or in a green space, including meditation or mindfulness activities, etc.

But build it into the day. It can be tough with a group or other person but if you are upfront about your needs most of the time the other person will understand and may even want to do it with you. My husband always agrees to include downtime in our day and even as an extrovert he enjoys a quieter moment.

Sarah relaxing in Santorini reading a book

Photo taken on iPhone 14 Pro

3. Bring your escape item with you

An escape item is a comfort item, something you can use to escape from the world for a few minutes such as a book or headphones, etc.

Keep those items close to you wherever you go. Even if you don’t think you’ll need them or have time to use them, trust me. Bring them with you. Sometimes having it nearby helps you feel better but it can also work if you find time to execute your escape route.

You might wander into a cafe or find a park for a couple of minutes and reading some pages of your book or plugging into a good playlist or podcast can be enough to help your energy last through the rest of the day. You might also use the headphones to do a quick meditation if you can find the space to do that but don’t get stuck without your escape item. They can also provide a great photo op!

Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire posing in the Elephant House cafe with Edinburgh Castle in the background

Photo taken on iPhone XR

4. Try choosing vacays where you don’t have to be social all the time

This is always nice to throw into your travel schedule. Mix things up. If you’re always going with a group or a particular person try out solo travelling. If you’re always going to bigger cities with a lot of sightseeing try going somewhere smaller or more relaxing.

You can even add smaller/less social trips into your travel schedule. Tropical places are often nice for this. All-inclusive’s do tend to be pretty busy but you can find smaller ones, go during less busy times or find a nice Airbnb of your own.

These vacations often allow you to decompress and fill your introvert cup up!

Sarah having a relaxing/anti-social tropical vacation

Photo taken on iPhone 6

5. Be okay with exploring on your own

Honestly, I love exploring on my own. And I am considered an anxious traveller (funny hey, since I love travelling so much I created a travel blog and vlog!). But in the right setting, this can be great.

You need to know the location you’re travelling to. If you’re going to a place that isn’t safe to be alone then make sure you take that into consideration but if you’re heading to a safe place definitely do this.

Plan activities you can do on your own. Take your time, don’t go by anyone’s timing but yours, do what you want when you want. I guarantee you’ll have a great time!

You don’t have to spend an entire trip doing this but have a day in the middle or a couple of days and watch how you transform the rest of the trip. Do what you need to do to keep your energy high!

Sarah posing by the Beheading Stone in Stirling, Scotland

Photo taken on early 2000’s digital camera

As an introvert, your energy decreases when you’re around people. It doesn’t mean you don’t like people or don’t enjoy spending time with people, it just means you’ll need a bit of alone time to bring yourself back up.

Spending some time alone on your vacation can be exactly what you need to feel relaxed and fulfilled. As introverts, we often notice the small things that most people miss. This can provide us with a deeper way of experiencing the world. Travelling can allow you to learn more about who you are so you come back with vigour and a deeper love for yourself and the world.

Happy travels!

P.S. Looking for a little more? Go check out my YouTube video on this topic! I include some things I didn’t include here!

The Feeling of Seeing An Iconic Sight For The First Time - Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Outside and below the Acropolis of Athens

I know this is a blog and this will be a funny thing to say…

But words cannot describe the feeling of wanting and dreaming of something for your whole life and finally walking in and seeing something so incredibly iconic for the first time.

It literally takes your breath away.

After a cluster-bomb of a time getting to Athens (try 55+ hours, a 2-hour delay causing me to be a day and a half late, a strike in Italy, baggage being stuck and no one wanting to get it for us, being the only person who didn’t get on the earlier rebooked flight, etc.) having this be one of the first things we did was exactly what I needed to start turning this trip around.

No matter what time or day you go there are a lot of people there and long lineups so just brace yourself and get in line.

The sight is worth the wait and it didn’t take all that long. I highly recommend buying tickets online ahead of time and even finding a combined pass.

LINK

The pass we got was $30 each for 5 days and included all of the major attractions including the Acropolis. Look around on Google to find the best deal

When you enter you head to the South Slopes and you see the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

Looking down on the theatre was really neat. It looks huge. However, when you compare it to the Theatre of Dionysus on the other side of the hill you realize it’s actually quite small!

Imagine watching a play at either of these theatres! It must have been exhilarating.

Next, walk all the way up to the Acropolis area itself.

The entrance to the Acropolis, Propylaia, is amazing! Built between 437 BCE and 432 BCE, the marble pillars tower above you like this incredible dominating presence. The first time we went you could walk right up the middle. There were no ropes partitioning the sides.

The feeling of walking through this entrance makes you feel like you’re part of greatness. You’re walking into something great. The ancient Greeks certainly liked to make their greatness known and this entrance is absolutely a statement of that.

My favourite part about travelling around Greece and going to all of the historical sites was imagining when these places weren’t tourist attractions but the real town.

Imagining what the people at the time were like, what they did, how they interacted with these things. I imagine ancient Athenians walking through this entrance to get to the Acropolis. I imagine myself as an ancient Greek walking through this entrance into the Acropolis and seeing the Acropolis for the first time.

At that moment all of the tourists ceased to exist and it was just myself and other ancient people going about our business here!

Just when you think you’ve seen the most amazing thing you enter the Acropolis.

Videos don’t do it justice.

Just imagine walking through this incredible hilltop when it was in its prime.

Fun fact, nothing is allowed to be built taller than the Acropolis in Athens. So still to this day, the Acropolis is the tallest feature in the city. When we were walking around almost everywhere nearby you caught a glimpse of the Parthenon at the Acropolis.

We, of course, took photos every time we caught a glimpse.

At the top of the Acropolis, there are a few different sights to see. Of course, you have the Parthenon which is the biggest presence at the Acropolis (and throughout the city). When we went it was going through some restorations so we had to use our imaginations a bit (ooo, a tough one for me hey).

This incredible temple is one of the largest temples to have ever been built in Greece. It was dedicated to Athena Parthenos and was completed in 438 BCE in time for the Great Panathenaic Festival (Lonely Planet).

The Parthenon consists of 8 columns at each end and 17 on each side and were meticulously sculpted.

You can also walk over to this round tower where the Greek flag is and look out over the side to see the rest of the ancient city (all of the sights of Athens are quite close to each other naturally).

Aside from the incredible Parthenon the Acropolis is also home to the Erechtheion which consists of the Porch of the Caryatids and the Temple of Poseidon.

The Erechtheion was an incredible sanctuary. It was said to be built on the most sacred part of the Acropolis Hill; the spot where Poseidon struck the ground with his Trident. The goddess Athena also planted a sacred Olive Tree at the back of the sanctuary (a tree that still resides there today).

Attached is also the Porch of the Caryatids which is supported by 6 maidens designed as columns. However, the columns residing there today are recreations. 5 of the 6 original columns are currently housed in the Acropolis Museum with one empty spot for the 6th column which is in the British Museum.

On the back side of the Sanctuary is the Temple of Poseidon. It is recognizable by its 6 incredible columns and the fissure in the floor which is said to either be from Poseidon’s Trident or Zeus’ Thunderbolt.

The back side is also where you can find Athena’s sacred Olive Tree.

This ancient building may seem quaint in comparison to the Parthenon residing on the same hill but let me tell you, it holds its own and has an even more incredible mythology.

To me, the stories, the history and the mythology are the parts I care about. I invested in doing some reading before I left for Greece and since being home have also been researching. That’s why I love letting my imagination run wild in my own little world while exploring these incredible pieces of history. My husband, however, prefers to know how it was built and when it was built so he spends a lot of time reading the signs at the different sights.

The best part is that there is a little bit for each of us up there. He can casually take his time reading the signs and I can gaze at the different landmarks and zone out.

You can head back down the opposite side of the Parthenon from the hill.

The back side shows another beautiful view. There are a series of signs that depict the entire process (my husband was in heaven) and you get a great view of the Theatre of Dionysus (a fraction of its former glory. To see what the theatre looked like originally spend a day in the Acropolis Museum).

It may feel like you’re leaving but there is still plenty to see.

On this backside, you’ll be able to see the Temple of Athena Nike. It almost feels like it’s hidden but I assure you, it’s a hidden gem you want to see. It’s small but mighty. Inside is a statue made of wood of Athena as Victory (you can get a better view in the Acropolis Museum which also houses a depiction of Athena Nike fastening her sandal (Lonely Planet)).

I highly recommend taking a quick stop back toward the entrance to see the Beulé Gate before heading to the lower slopes. The gate is an interesting feature. Beware, it’s quite hard to get a photo without other people (I used the magic of Photoshop for mine) but if you have a bit of patience you can find a lull and get a photo with very few people.

From there backtrack to go past the Odeon of Herodes Atticus so you can reach the lower slopes.

I particularly loved the lower slopes for their light and peaceful atmosphere. It almost seemed like most people didn’t realize there were things to see down here.

But there are a few great smaller things to see such as the Asclepieion, the Stoa of Eumenes, the Temple Of Themis and a gallery of statues.

Take your time down here. The Acropolis Hill is loud, bustling and overwhelming but down here is a lot more serene and you don’t feel rushed.

There are a few sights in Athens that are well worth seeing. Some take you a short amount of time while others may take a little bit longer. I will be writing a blog on the length of time the other sights take to help you plan your time in Athens.

But if you only have a day or two in Athens, the Acropolis and slopes is a must-see attraction. It is often quite crowded but you get the biggest bang for your buck and you get an amazing big picture of what life in Athens was like in ancient times.

Enjoy!

All photos taken on iPhone 14 Pro