Edinburgh Harry Potter Tour: An Expert Review

Okay, so you are thinking about checking out the Edinburgh Harry Potter tour, right? I mean, at the end of the day, who isn’t at least a bit curious? Perhaps, you have always wanted to peek behind the curtain a little, and see just where JK Rowling drew all her ideas. Or maybe, you are really just looking for an out of the ordinary kind of outing when you are visiting this awesome Scottish capital. Whatever the case may be, I am really here to share my experience, plus hand out some insight so you can decide whether or not this tour is really worth all that time and money. Because time is money, right?

Why Edinburgh is the Perfect Spot for Potter Fans

Edinburgh, honestly, is so much more than just some backdrop for all those Harry Potter tales; it’s really almost the wellspring from which all the magic bubbled up. Like your old cobblestone streets kind of twist and turn like something out of a movie. As a matter of fact, those dramatic buildings really do reach up into the sky. Actually, it’s pretty easy to see how Rowling got a fair bit of her inspiration just by strolling through this ancient town. And honestly, that’s why a walking tour, especially one that focuses in on the Harry Potter stuff, is such a rad idea. Because? You get to walk the same ground, right, see the exact same things that she saw. How amazing is that?

For example, like your Victoria Street, which, honestly, is said to have inspired Diagon Alley, you know? When you stroll along it, you will notice those brightly painted shops and that curvy design; well it is not hard to feel like you are very much headed off to buy a wand at Ollivanders. Then, there is also George Heriot’s School, right, and it looks remarkably similar to Hogwarts with its striking towers and imposing facade. Pretty interesting, as a matter of fact. So really, all those bits and pieces of Edinburgh actually wove themselves right into the material of those Potter tales, so being here, on site, adds a real special layer for any big fan.

What the Tour Usually Covers (Without Giving Away All the Good Bits!)

The Edinburgh Harry Potter walking tour? Well, that can be a bit different, arguably, just depending on which group you tag along with. Still, though, there’s usually a couple of highlights that just about every single tour is going to make sure that you catch. You know, things such as seeing all those locations that have been thought of as sources of inspiration, and there are lots of tales and tidbits regarding the author and just how she came up with all this in Edinburgh. Okay?

Most of those tours start out near the Royal Mile, just a little. Honestly, it’s the very heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. It tends to be the launchpad that sends you over to places such as Greyfriars Kirkyard. Actually, this old graveyard is full of these very old tombstones that carry names pretty similar to quite a few characters that you will read about in the books. That is very bizarre, you know? Then there are stops by places such as the Elephant House cafe, arguably “the birthplace” of Harry Potter, basically, where Rowling spent a fair bit of her time writing those books while she was nursing cups of tea. Often.

Then there is a look at a variety of spots around the Old Town, and basically, your guide will be dishing out details about architectural bits and history and connecting all that up to bits of the Potter movies and novels. Honestly, it’s a pretty interesting way to get insight both into the wizarding stories, right, but also all that history which actually shaped Edinburgh. It might be history you never even expected.

What Really Makes a Tour “Good”? Things You Might Expect

The guide, clearly, is that main difference between one okay tour and one that is utterly amazing. You’d agree, I bet. You sort of want somebody who’s not just full of all these little known tidbits, but, in a way, somebody that has so much passion, and also they are very good at telling those tales. They can totally bring all of the locations to life, clearly, so that you feel a bit more invested and attached to all the stuff. Honestly, how dull would it be if they simply pointed at stuff without giving the history and a little personality?

Small group sizes? Always a plus, right. Very often, if your group isn’t very huge, it makes it easier to actually ask all your questions and so you won’t feel lost at the back of that group. Because, what? The intimacy basically brings forth more conversation and generally it becomes just a lot more memorable, honestly. I have noticed on several tours, actually, when that group is massive, you basically feel like a number, and just herded about like sheep.

And, that pace really needs to be alright for everyone that is on that tour, obviously, mostly if you have children or perhaps there are individuals that simply find it hard to walk. You want to see that those routes are simple to handle, and you will get just enough time at each spot to absorb it. If you find yourselves just zooming by spots without even time to soak it all up, then, in short, what is really the point?

My Actual Experience: The Highs and the Not-So-Highs

Alright, so here’s what went down when I went along for my Harry Potter tour. First off, my guide was totally awesome! Okay? He really seemed very full of all kinds of Harry Potter bits of trivia, combined with history of Edinburgh itself. So, in a way, that actually made all of the difference. He obviously was also pretty open to all questions and he actually encouraged everyone to chip in with bits of info if they had any themselves.

And so that group, though? Seemed very alright. It might be smaller, which, basically, for me is a total win, right, because it does bring about that sense that you are a part of all that group conversation. As a matter of fact, we chatted a whole lot with those others that were also walking around with us, right, sharing what we each thought about all those novels and those movies, and, actually, it kind of enhanced that outing. In some respects. Also, just making that tour that much better.

The only small issue that I had was this; we really did zoom through a part of the Old Town actually, and that might have been awesome to linger longer. Because? I enjoy all that architecture, right. Nevertheless, you know, with time limits to cope with and such, so they really do have to keep up a certain pace. If I actually was to repeat all that? I would try to see if you can do any tour which is marketed as one that will really move at a slower pace.

Making the Best of Your Harry Potter Walk: Tips and Tricks

Booking up your Harry Potter tour? You will want to actually sort all that out early. Especially because, often in peak travel times, those tours that are considered most outstanding are really booked up far, far in advance. You can almost certainly find different times of the day as well, right. Morning might mean less of those crowds, if, that is, you are actually an early riser. Okay? While a tour, you know, that occurs in the evening might have more atmosphere, so it all hangs on whatever is ideal for you. Also.

Dressing correctly for just any of Edinburgh’s walking excursions? That really is so very vital. Especially? If there is weather involved. I have found it, so, so, changeable. You will want to add so many layers and take rain gear along, since Scotland honestly can choose to chuck down a shower very nearly any time. Seriously! Then just wear that really comfortable pair of walking boots since you will actually be on your feet walking along for a little bit, and basically all those cobblestone roads of that Old Town definitely aren’t friends for those wearing heels!

And clearly you’ll be snapping lots of pictures, and you will actually want to make sure that those phones or all your cameras are fully juiced. Very often, basically, tours swing on by stores in which you can buy mementos. That way you get your memories captured for a bit longer, basically after that walk is all said and done. Those wands or scarves can assist you to bring that wizarding sensation back with you, often home.

Are Edinburgh’s Harry Potter Tours Worth It? Final Thoughts

Right, when all is really considered, basically, the Edinburgh Harry Potter walking excursion honestly does give a pretty great combination of just facts and fun and sheer wizarding wonder. Whether you happen to be someone that adores Harry Potter a bit, okay, or just want something just a little different while you explore Edinburgh. And as I was saying? In that instance it might just totally appeal. Just find all those operators that have good reputations, make sure that all of that fits your speed and likes, and then have at it and take it all in. Basically, those streets of Edinburgh really are only brimming over with a whole lot of just hidden secrets that are ready for you to come along and uncover.

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