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6 Years of Guiding Experience

Harry Potter & History Tour
Unique perspective of both worlds

Small Group Experience
Max 10-12 People

Edinburgh Walking Tour: Harry Potter & History

Small Group Walking Tours running all year round

The Best Edinburgh Harry Potter Walking Tour

Are you a Harry Potter fan with a passion for history? Then it’s time to connect your chimney to Diagon Alley’s Floo Network and secure your place on a unique small-group Edinburgh Harry Potter and History walking tour!

 

This Old Town tour brings together Edinburgh’s darker tales with classic Potter Trail sites. Showing how the city became the ‘birthplace’ of Harry Potter, uncover hidden viewpoints of Edinburgh Castle, meet the city’s beloved Greyfriars Bobby, and delve into stories of brutal executions and forgotten legends.

Harry Potter Walking Tour Itinerary

The Harry Potter tour will start at the National Library of Scotland. Here we will discuss the hardest period of J K Rowling’s life, how she began her venture in creating the Harry Potter books and what inspired her to create Diagon Alley. We will then find ourselves in the heart of the old town, where we will explore the gruesome history of public executions, find one of the most incredible viewpoints of Edinburgh Castle and navigate through the beautiful streets to arguably the most haunted graveyard in the UK, Greyfriars Kirkyard.

 

Set amidst the hauntingly beautiful gravestones and mausoleums we will firstly meet Greyfriars Bobby, the incredibly loyal dog who stole the hearts of the nation. Before discovering four gravestones (including the grave of Tom Riddle) which are believed by Harry Potter fans to have inspired J K Rowling to name some of the characters. On the way out of the graveyard we revisit the realm of dark tales this time featuring the notorious Burke and Hare, and the Covenantors Prison.

 

Towards the end of the experience, you will visit two cafes where Jo spent her time writing the early chapters of her iconic books. Before finishing up at the City Chambers. If you would like to try deep fried mars bar or/and haggis please ask!

Book an Edinburgh Walking Tour Today!

From £14 Per Person

Start Location: National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge Road

Start Time: 9am & 3pm

Capacity: Max 10

Duration: 2 Hours

English

Available: All Year Round

The Best Edinburgh Harry Potter Walking Tour

Are you a Harry Potter fan with a passion for history? Then it’s time to connect your chimney to Diagon Alley’s Floo Network and secure your place on a unique small-group Edinburgh Harry Potter and History walking tour!

 

This Old Town tour brings together Edinburgh’s darker tales with classic Potter Trail sites. Showing how the city became the ‘birthplace’ of Harry Potter, uncover hidden viewpoints of Edinburgh Castle, meet the city’s beloved Greyfriars Bobby, and delve into stories of brutal executions and forgotten legends.

Book an Edinburgh Walking Tour Today!

Important Information

From £14 Per Person

Start Location: National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge Road

Start Time: 9am & 3pm

Duration: 2 hours

Max 10-12 people

English

Available: All Year Round

Harry Potter Walking Tour Itinerary

Meet Rob at the National Library of Scotland

Arrive 5 minutes before the start time

Victoria Street

Talk about the real birthplace of Harry Potter & the believed inspiration for Diagon Alley

Grassmarket

Talk about executions and Scotland's National Bard, Rabbie Burns

The Vennel

One of the most beautiful views of the Edinburgh Castle is also home to the city wall

Greyfriars Kirkyard

Learn about Greyfriars Bobby and gravestones believed to have inspired Harry Potter character names

Elephant House Cafe

Learn about J K Rowling writing here and whether it is the real 'birthplace'

Balmoral Hotel

Learn about the ending of the Harry Potter Series

Finish at J K Rowing's Handprints

Outside the City Chambers on the High Street

👥 Max 8 People ★ 5.0  185 Reviews

Edinburgh Harry Potter & History Tour

The Best Edinburgh Harry Potter Walking Tour

Are you a Harry Potter fan with a passion for history? Then it’s time to connect your chimney to Diagon Alley’s Floo Network and secure your place on a unique small-group Edinburgh Harry Potter and History walking tour!

This Old Town tour brings together Edinburgh’s darker tales with classic Potter Trail sites. Showing how the city became the ‘birthplace’ of Harry Potter, uncover hidden viewpoints of Edinburgh Castle, meet the city’s beloved Greyfriars Bobby, and delve into stories of brutal executions and forgotten legends.

Book an Edinburgh Walking Tour Today!

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Harry Potter Walking Tour Itinerary

Meet Rob at the National Library of Scotland

Arrive 5 minutes before the start time

Victoria Street

Talk about the real birthplace of Harry Potter & the believed inspiration for Diagon Alley

Grassmarket

Talk about executions and Scotland's National Bard, Rabbie Burns

The Vennel

One of the most beautiful views of the Edinburgh Castle is also home to the city wall

Greyfriars Kirkyard

Learn about Greyfriars Bobby and gravestones believed to have inspired Harry Potter character names

Elephant House Cafe

Learn about J K Rowling writing here and whether it is the real 'birthplace'

Balmoral Hotel

Learn about the ending of the Harry Potter Series

Finish at J K Rowing's Handprints

Outside the City Chambers on the High Street

Tour Photo Highlights

Top Rated Edinburgh Walking Tour

EXCELLENT
Based on 233 reviews
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Geoff B profile picture
Geoff B
Verified
Highly recommended Rob’s tour was amazing and highly recommend. A good mix of Harry Potter facts and history of Edinburgh. Rob has some great “dad jokes” and banter to keep interest.
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bdduker
Verified
Outlander and Highland Coos Rob Carr Tours was awesome. He was extremely responsive and flexible to customize our tour. He has a very comfortable van and was super accommodating. We jointly worked out the best agenda for us and my wife and I had the best time on a 1day tour from Edinburgh. He was super knowledgeable and even found some hidden gems. Literally one of the best tours we have been on.
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Natalie S profile picture
Natalie S
Verified
Love this tour! The tour was amazing. Rob is super friendly. I love how the tour brings you into places in Edinburgh I wouldnt have normally seen. So great this was my 2nd time taking the same tour!
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Marcy S profile picture
Marcy S
Verified
Unforgettable Scotland experience with Rob Carr Tours We just returned from a 9-day tour with Rob. What an unforgettable experience! Our tour was the perfect combination of history, culture, and nature. Rob is the consummate tour guide - knowledgeable, friendly, fun, and dedicated. His commitment to making sure we had a positive experience was evident. We were super happy with the itinerary and with all the accommodations he chose. Not only did we enjoy the activities we shared, but Rob skillfully helped us all enjoy each other's company as well. Book the tour! You won't be sorry!
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Lory H
Verified
Simply the BEST!! My trip to Scotland was truly an experience of a lifetime, and so much of that was because of our incredible hiking and travel guide, Rob Carr. Our group consisted of seven people—four family members traveling together, along with me and two of my friends. We didn’t know the other four when the trip began, but Rob had such a natural way of bringing everyone together and creating an atmosphere where we all felt comfortable and included. By the end of the trip, it truly felt like we had shared something special together. Rob gave us the opportunity to experience some of Scotland’s iconic sights, including the breathtaking Old Man of Storr, but what made the trip especially memorable were the lesser-known trails and hidden gems he introduced us to along the way. We experienced parts of Scotland we likely never would have discovered on our own, making the trip feel incredibly special and personal. Our group also had a wide range of fitness and hiking abilities, and Rob was wonderfully accommodating to everyone. He had a remarkable ability to make sure each person felt comfortable, included, and able to enjoy the experience at their own level. No one ever felt rushed or left behind. His patience and attentiveness allowed all of us to truly appreciate each adventure while still feeling like we were experiencing it together. Beyond being an exceptional guide, Rob is simply an amazing person. He is kind, personable, knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in the people he is traveling with. He took the time to engage with us not only as a group, but individually. He got to know each of us, shared plenty of laughs with us, and made us feel like so much more than just people on a tour. It is difficult to put into words how much Rob added to my Scotland experience. I came home with incredible memories, beautiful stories, new friendships, and a genuine appreciation for the person who helped make it all possible. If you have the opportunity to explore Scotland with Rob Carr, do it! I cannot recommend him highly enough. He is an extraordinary guide and an even more wonderful human being. Thank you, Rob, for making an already beautiful country and adventure truly unforgettable!
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MJ C
Verified
From Edinburgh to Skye to Harris and then some - the tour that exceeded every expectation When I found Rob Carr Tours on Instagram, I knew this was the trip I wanted. Booked the 9-day Scotland tour from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye and Harris. Rob is gem. His high energy is contagious and set the tone for the entire journey. The itinerary was jam-packed in the best way, yet still left us wanting more. He looked after us with real care - attentive, patient, and thoughtful. Just a fun, authentic person to be around, and that made all the difference. Skye was pure magic - beautiful landscapes, dramatic castles, awesome hikes, endless views, and the crystal-blue beaches (yes, in Scotland!). The beauty, the stories, the whisky, the laughter, the quiet moments, they all added up to an indescribable, incredible experience I will forever cherish. Thank you, Rob, for making this trip everything it was❣️
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Sara B profile picture
Sara B
Verified
Highlands and Islands tour Rob provided us an amazing Scotland experience, taking us to places I never would have seen if I had been on my own. He made sure we were immersed in a true Scotish experience. I would highly recommend his services!
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Lucy R profile picture
Lucy R
Verified
A Scotland Adventure Our tour with Rob Carr Tours was absolutely fantastic! From start to finish, it was an incredible experience filled with beautiful scenery, amazing adventures, and unforgettable memories. The tour included an Edinburgh walking tour, fantastic hikes through the breathtaking Isle of Skye and Isle of Lewis, visits to charming towns like Portree and Pitlochry, whiskey tasting, and so much more. Every day brought something new and exciting, and Rob did an amazing job making sure we experienced the very best of Scotland. Rob was enthusiastic, attentive, incredibly passionate about his work, and—best of all—funny! His knowledge, energy, and personality made the entire trip even more enjoyable. You could tell how much he genuinely loves Scotland and sharing it with others. If you’re looking for a tour that combines incredible sights, adventure, history, and plenty of laughs, I highly recommend Rob Carr Tours. It was truly a wonderful trip, and we would absolutely do it again! 🥃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️
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Tabetha D profile picture
Tabetha D
Verified
An Unforgettable Scottish Adventure with an Amazing Guide! Rob Carr was an absolutely incredible tour guide, and I couldn’t recommend him more! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Our private tour started with the Ben A’an hike, and I have to say… my hiking experience was minimal. I was determined to make it to the top and not give up, and Rob was so incredibly patient and encouraging with me the entire way. He never made me feel rushed or like I was holding things up, and he adjusted to my pace with so much understanding and kindness. When I finally made it to the top, the views were absolutely AMAZING and made every step worth it! Throughout the day, Rob shared so much Scottish history, stories, and interesting little details that made the experience even more special. The hike took much longer than anticipated (because I was SO slow 😂), but Rob improvised and found other stops and experiences for us to enjoy since we couldn’t make it to everything originally planned. We truly had the time of our lives, and this is a day I know I’ll look back on for the rest of my life. And when the jet lag finally caught up with us and we asked if we could cut the day a little short, Rob was completely understanding and accommodating. Thank you, Rob, for an unforgettable day, for your patience, encouragement, and for making the experience so special. You were absolutely fantastic! 10 out of 10 — HIGHLY recommend! ⛰️
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Lexi H profile picture
Lexi H
Verified
Amazing tour - perfect blend of Harry Potter and history Rob gave an amazing tour. He's funny, knowledgeable, and provided a perfect mix of Harry Potter and history spots/facts. We had a blast and would love to take more of Rob's tours after experiencing this one!

Tour Photo Highlights

Frequently Asked Questions

Start Location: National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge Road

Finish Location: City Chambers, High Street

Start Time: 9am & 3pm

Duration: Around 2 hours

Recommended: Waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes

Walking tours in peak months (May–October) can book out quickly, so earlier is better. For off-season dates, the sooner the better but flexible or day before bookings are usually more likely.