Now as a “single parent, recently divorced, not working and very very broke” she would wander the streets of the Edinburgh old town. Usually, it would be around her brother-in-law’s coffee shop, Nicolson’s cafe and “Every time Jessica would fall asleep in her pushchair, I’d dash to the nearest cafe and write as much as I could.”

After years of relentless dedication, the good news arrived: Bloomsbury was going to publish “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.” Rowling described the moment as “second only to the birth of my daughter, was the happiest moment of my life“. As the book gained popularity faster than the firebolt she was invited to take an interview where she spent so much time writing the first book, in Nicolson’s Cafe. The only thing that remains of the memory is a plaque sitting on the wall of Black Medicine Coffee directly below where she used to sit. 

In an attempt to be more discreet and to hide from fans Rowling decided to mix things up, and this is where the Elephant Cafe entered the picture. Drawn to the window seat, secluded and with a breathtaking view of Edinburgh Castle, George Heriot’s School, and Greyfriars Kirkyard, the Elephant Cafe became a crucial part of her journey. People became aware of these writing sessions once again after an interview of her in the building. By which point she had just finished the second book, “The Chamber of Secrets”. 

Since then crowds of Potter heads or curious travelers came to visit the cafe and it became well loved around the city. With its cool view of the Castle and the funky girl toilets. Not for Moaning Murtle more for the fan graffity. As well as this the Elephant House also claims to have hosted fellow winners of the Edinburgh Award and famous writers Ian Rankin and Alexander McCall-Smith.