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Museum Context, otherwise known as Diagon House, is the flagship store on Victoria Street. Similarly to its sister store at 42-44 Cockburn Street, this place is quite unique in terms of offering visitors and locals alike an authentic Harry Potter experience that celebrates Edinburgh as the birthplace of Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling鈥檚 wonderful legacy.

The brainchild of Alice and Andrew McRae, a conservation architect, this venue may appear a bit 鈥渟cary鈥� to the claustrophobic lot with its immersive shopping abundance, similar to that, perhaps, of the bustling Diagon Alley where Harry had to elbow his way through the sniggering Slytherins while purchasing his new year supplies.

Inside the shop you will find a world-class selection of officially licensed Harry Potter merchandise, which lures here Harry Potter pilgrims in their numbers from all over the globe, queuing up anxious to get in, from the early hours in the morning until the evening.

Having marked its 20th anniversary, the shop rebranded as Museum Context, honouring its eclectic Scottish collection.

Perhaps the most photographed location in all of Edinburgh, Victoria Street鈥攚ith its gentle curve, candy-coloured shopfronts, and fairytale charm鈥攊s the Old Town icon that throughout the decades has graced everything from tourist postcards to glossy TV ads. Indeed, if streets had agents, this one would have been booked solid.

Built between 1829 and 1834, Victoria Street wasn鈥檛 always the whimsical rainbow we know today, though. Credit鈥攐r creative blame for it, rather鈥攇oes to Thomas Hamilton, a mastermind behind Edinburgh鈥檚 numerous architectural wonders, better known for his love affair with all things neoclassical. On this occasion, however, he deviated from his habitual neoclassical stamp, being told to create something mimicking the Old Flemish style. For this purpose, many of the area's old buildings were torn down. The result of such a dramatic medieval makeover was the appearance of arches, lining the new terrace, which now house some of the city鈥檚 most charming little shops.

And then came the magic. In recent years, Victoria Street鈥攁long with its downhill cousin, the West Bow鈥攈as gained notoriety as possible real-world prototypes for none other than Diagon Alley, featured in the Harry Potter books (you know, wizards, magic wands, and all that...).

Given that Edinburgh was home turf for JK Rowling while she penned her famous boy-wizard saga, it鈥檚 not a stretch to imagine Victoria Street as an inspiration for the ever-so fabulous wizard market after all. Packed with the cobbled stones, higgledy-piggledy medley of vibrant buildings, quirky boutiques, and a general air of eccentricity, it practically shouts Diagon Alley. So, whether you're here for the architecture, the shopping, or the spellcasting vibes, just know鈥攖his street has layers, arches, and more than a dash of enchantment...

If you鈥檝e ever wanted to sip a cappuccino where magic once brewed鈥攓uite literally鈥攖hen The Elephant House might just be your pilgrimage stop. Open since 1995, this unassuming caf茅 earned worldwide fame not just for its tea and coffee (which are excellent, by the way), but for serving as a launchpad for a certain bespectacled boy wizard. Yes, J.K. Rowling once holed up in the back room here, penning early chapters of Harry Potter while eyeing up the brooding silhouette of Edinburgh Castle. Talk about dramatic inspiration...

But Rowling wasn鈥檛 the only literary mind to haunt these elephant-adorned halls. Other patrons like Ian Rankin, the mastermind behind the gritty Rebus detective novels, and Alexander McCall Smith, author of The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency and 44 Scotland Street fame, have also warmed the seats here. Apparently, there鈥檚 something about the mix of caffeine, castle views, and atmospheric chatter that gets the creative juices flowing.

So, whether you鈥檙e nursing dreams of becoming the next literary sensation or just need a sturdy espresso before wandering into Edinburgh鈥檚 medieval maze鈥攄rop by The Elephant House. Who knows? That scribble on your napkin might just be the next bestseller...

Edinburgh makes things easy for history buffs: just follow the soot-streaked stones of the Old Town and you鈥檒l trip over ancient buildings in no time. One such relic is Greyfriars Church鈥攁n architectural overachiever that鈥檚 been around since the early 1600s and still manages to steal the show.

Work on the church began in 1602, and by 1630, it was officially consecrated, rising from the ruins of an abandoned Franciscan monastery and becoming one of the oldest buildings in the Old Town. Its name is a fashion nod to the original residents鈥攎onks in grey robes, otherwise known as the 鈥淕rey Friars.鈥� Simple branding, eternal legacy...

In 1718, someone got the bright idea to divide the church with a wall鈥擮ld Greyfriars on one side, New Greyfriars on the other鈥攂ecause heaven forbid the Covenanters and Roman Catholics share pew space. Then, in 1845, the roof caught fire (presumably not from divine wrath), destroying much of the interior.

When the church was restored in the mid-19th century, they added stained-glass windows. Beautiful they were? Yes. Controversial? Also, yes鈥攆or it was the first time that such windows appeared in a Presbyterian church, and it caused a bit of a scandal. A little later, an organ was added, and once again the purists 鈥渃lutched their pearls.鈥� In 1929, they finally took down the dividing wall and made peace鈥� at least architecturally.

Oh, and the adjoining graveyard鈥攊t's said to be haunted by the ghost of one 鈥淏loody鈥� George Mackenzie. A Lord Advocate responsible for the persecution of the Covenanters, his reputation is as bruised as his victims. They say that if he touches you, you鈥檒l feel it鈥攑hysically!鈥攍eft with cuts and bruises... Sleep tight!

Still, nowadays, Greyfriars also doubles as an event venue and low-key fashion runway. It hosts exhibitions, lectures, and drama productions鈥攁ll performed under those once-scandalous stained glass windows. The onsite museum showcases artifacts found in the area and recounts a comprehensive history of the Covenanters.

And for the wizarding crowd鈥攋ust behind the Elephant House Caf茅 lies Greyfriars Kirkyard, where literary pilgrims flock to pay homage to tombstones that may鈥攐r may not鈥攈ave inspired J.K. Rowling. Among those are Thomas Riddell (ring a bell, Voldemort fans?), Robert Potter, William McGonagall, and even names like Elizabeth Moodie and Margaret Louisa Scrymgeour Wedderburn, suspiciously close to Mad-Eye Moody and Rufus Scrimgeour (the Minister of Magic in the final Harry Potter book). As of August 2019, you can buy a handy Harry Potter-themed gravestone map; the proceeds from sales go toward graveyard upkeep鈥攁nd probably a bit of Muggle curiosity management, too.

Also, visible from here is George Heriots School, reportedly the template for fictional Hogwarts...

George Heriot's School is an independent primary and secondary educational institution located on Lauriston Place in the historic area of Edinburgh known as the Old Town. Its origins trace back to 1628 when it was established as George Heriot's Hospital, thanks to the generous bequest of George Heriot, a renowned royal goldsmith. The school officially opened its doors in 1659. Today, it operates under the governance of the George Heriot's Trust, a Scottish charitable organization, and serves a student body of over 1600, supported by 155 teaching staff and 80 non-teaching personnel.

The school's principal edifice is a distinctive architectural gem, characterized by its turreted design enclosing a spacious courtyard, all constructed from sandstone. Notably, the building exhibits Renaissance-style architecture, and the foundation stone bears the year 1628 as an enduring testament to its historical origins. Each window on the structure features intricate and unique ornamentation, except for a specific pair of windows situated on the ground floor flanking the now obsolete central turret on the west side of the building. Additionally, a statue of the school's founder, George Heriot, is prominently displayed within a niche on the northern side of the courtyard.

***Harry Potter Tour***
When seen for the first time, the castle-like George Heriot's School usually strikes the onlooker with its resemblance to Hogwarts. Indeed, this private educational institution relies on the same House system to sort students as the famous School of Witchcraft and Wizardry did, sorting its young wizard pupils as Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, and perhaps it had inspired J.K. Rowling, whose children also attended George Heriot鈥檚 School!

Another reason for speculation about its inspiration behind Hogwarts is that, similarly to Greyfrier鈥檚 Kirkyard, the George Heriot School can be seen from the windows of the Elephant House Caf茅, which J.K. Rowling used to frequent while writing Harry Potter.

20+ years from the publication of Harry Potter And The Philosopher鈥檚 Stone it is now claimed that the birthplace of Harry Potter was in fact Nicholson鈥檚 Caf茅, co-owned by Rowling鈥檚 brother-in-law back in 1997. Later, Rowling admitted that the original idea struck her on a train, without any paper at hand, but Nicolson鈥檚, she said, was the place where she indeed 鈥渨rote huge parts of the book鈥�. Attesting to this fact is also the local photographer, Marius Alexander, who pictured the then aspiring author writing at Nicolson鈥檚 following her move to Edinburgh with her daughter three years earlier.

Rowling explained her choice of Nicolson's 鈥� whose large windows overlook the University of Edinburgh 鈥� as a really great place to write, because there were so many tables around here that she didn't feel too guilty about taking her favorite table up too long. 鈥淚 always wanted to try and get that one because it was out of the way in the corner,鈥� she said.

Now rebranded as Spoon bistro, which The List magazine describes as a 鈥淕ood-humoured eatery with casual all-day dining and chilled-out service delivering simply prepared bistro classics,鈥� this place still retains great significance to the author and to every Potter-head out there as the Rowling-anointed nursery for Harry鈥檚 first adventure. A token to this is a plaque commemorating the spot where part of one of the world's most famous book series was written.

In her own words, Rowling promised to the place owners that when the book is published, she will 鈥渢ry and get [them] loads of publicity" though no-one ever dreamed for a moment that it was going to happen some day.

The Edinburgh City Chambers serves as the official meeting place for the City of Edinburgh Council and its predecessors. The existing building, which holds a Category A listing, was originally intended as the Royal Exchange and was designed by John Adam, with some modifications made by John Fergus. During its construction, a number of small streets, commonly referred to as "closes" in Edinburgh, were incorporated into the site, running from north to south. The Royal Exchange structure partially occupied the space above these blocked-off closes, which are now underground. These underground closes were closed to the public for many years but have since been reopened as 'The Real Mary King's Close'.

The main building is situated behind the High Street, separated by a courtyard with an arched open arcade that faces the street. Within the courtyard stands a notable bronze statue of Alexander Taming Bucephalus, created by John Steell.

***Harry Potter Tour***
Inside the Chambers there is a Hollywood-style plaque installed as tribute to the winners of the prestigious Edinburgh Award which is presented to the outstanding citizens of the city.

In 2008 J.K. Rowling received the award, following which her hands were cast in bronze and placed in the chambers鈥� courtyard.

The Balmoral, originally known as the North British Railway Station Hotel, is a prestigious five-star establishment and a well-known landmark in Edinburgh. Situated at the heart of the city's east end on Princes Street, which is the primary shopping district beneath the towering Edinburgh Castle, it also marks the southern boundary of the New Town.

Since 1902, the hotel's clock has intentionally been set three minutes ahead of the actual time to prevent Edinburgh residents from missing their trains. This practice continues today, except on December 31st (Hogmanay), when the clock is synchronized with the correct time for the city's New Year celebrations. The clock tower itself, standing at a height of 190 feet (58 meters), stands out prominently in the center of Edinburgh.

In February 2007, it was confirmed that the renowned author J.K. Rowling completed the final book in the Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," while staying at this hotel. Rowling left a signed note on a marble bust of Hermes in her room, stating, "J.K. Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in this room (552) on 11th Jan 2007." Subsequently, the room was renamed the "J.K. Rowling Suite," and the marble bust is now displayed in a protective glass case. This suite, with a nightly rate of nearly 拢1,000, has become a place of pilgrimage for dedicated Harry Potter fans.