Edinburgh - Magical Harry Potter Highlights & Wizards Tour

Located just outside the walls of Edinburgh Castle in front of the Gate House is the castle esplanade. It is the Large flat area built in 1753 as a parade ground for resident troops and home to some of the most unusual monument and statues. Tour guests will enjoy stunning views of the city that surround the castle. This stop will also include a visit to the memorial called the Witches Well which remembers the large population of women that were burned at the stake for being suspected as witches in the 16th century.

Located on the Royal Mile a short distance from the castle, the John Knox House & Scottish Storytelling Centre attraction is a treat for anyone interested in Scotland's rich cultural heritage. It was built in 1470 and is said to be the one-time home of the protestant reformer after which it's named. The expert local guide will offer incredible insights into the Scottish Reformation, a pivotal moment in the country's history.

Stop to hear about The Mercat Cross of Edinburgh located in Parliament Square next to St Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile. The Mercat Cross has been around since the 14th century, although the present structure is of Victorian origin. Moved several times, disassembled and reassembled. The Cross is not really a cross. It is a octagonal drum substructure with the royal arms of Britain, Scotland, England and Ireland, the borough arms of Edinburgh, Leith and the Canongate, and the University. Edinburgh’s Mercat Cross is topped with a carved unicorn, Scotland’s national animal. The Mercat Cross is a landmark in Edinburgh. As elsewhere in Scotland, important civic announcements were made at the Mercat Cross. In the past, you would also have seen public punishments and executions carried out at the cross. It's been the site of landmark moments in the city's history. Make sure you see the unicorn at the top. Group will have time to take photos.

Consecrated in 1243, St. Giles Cathedral — also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh — is Edinburgh's principal church. On this stop guests will see the current structure which was built in the 1300s and is notable for its impressive 161-foot-tall central tower with its eight arched buttresses. These form a huge crown (the Crown Steeple), which has become a favorite backdrop for photos and selfies. Interior highlights include memorials to the dead of WWI; lovely stained-glass windows; and a statue of John Knox, leader of the Protestant Reformation (his former home, 45 High Street, is close by and contains a museum). The tour guide will offer a fully guided exterior visit allowing guests the opportunity to learn so much about the structure and the history of Scotland.

We stop here to find out about Deacon Brodie, one of the most infamous criminals from Edinburgh's history and we will find out about the famous character he inspired for Robert Louis Stevenson The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Visit the very Café where JK Rowling wrote the most incredible Harry Potter fantasy series, which has won multiple awards and sold more than 500 million copies, becoming the best-selling book series in the world.

Greyfriars Bobby was a Skye Terrier who became known in 19th-century Edinburgh, Scotland, after reportedly spending fourteen years guarding his owner's grave, until his own death on 14 January 1872. The story continues to be well known in Scotland, through several books and films. A prominent commemorative statue and nearby graves are a tourist attraction.

This part of the tour will visit the Scottish History and Archaeology galleries. The expert local guide will enlighten the tour group with a visit to a collection of the most interesting exhibits which will provide a comprehensive overview of Scotland’s artifacts and treasure. The Scottish galleries showcases displays from the Palaeolithic era to the present day, from the earliest cultures to space age science, prehistory to pop culture. Come face-to-face with iconic historic artefacts, learn how Scottish innovation has helped shape the modern world, and see how the lives of everyday Scots have changed through the centuries.