Although travelling isn’t an option at the moment, there’s lots of inspiration for future trips to be found when watching your favourite films and TV series at home. Here, we take a look at the top Harry Potter filming locations in Scotland, so that you can start planning your magical trip via a ferry to Scotland from the safety of your sofa.
1. Glenfinnan viaduct – The Hogwarts Express
At the beginning of each school year, Harry Potter and his friends board the magical Hogwarts Express from Kings Cross, and you can see part of its journey with a visit to Glenfinnan Viaduct – one of the top filming locations in Scotland. This striking Victorian viaduct boasts 21 arches, a height of 31m and a length of 38m, and forms part of the Jacobite Steam Train’s route from Fort William to Mallaig – thought to be one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. The train travels for 84 miles past some incredible Scottish scenery, and you’re guaranteed some amazing views if you decide to board it.
Perhaps the most well-known scene that the Glenfinnan viaduct is featured in the Harry Potter series is at the beginning of the Chamber of Secrets. This scene shows Harry and Ron flying along the viaduct in the Weasley’s magical Ford Anglia, a sight that any fan would love to see! Although spotting a flying car is highly unlikely, you can head to Glenfinnan viaduct and see the ‘Hogwarts Express’ travelling past, and it often stops on the bridge to allow onlookers to capture it on camera. The train runs a morning and afternoon service in the summer but just a morning service during the months either side, so always check the timetable before you plan your trip! However, the viaduct is very impressive with or without the train, so it’s certainly worth a visit at any time of day.
2. Steall Falls – Fighting dragons
Standing at 120m high, Steall Falls is the second tallest waterfall in Scotland, and is located close to Fort William where the ‘Hogwarts Express’ begins its journey. You’ll spot the stunning Steall Falls in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, when Harry is tasked with fighting the terrifying Hungarian Horntail. Although you’d be forgiven for missing it due to being distracted by Harry whizzing away from the dragon aboard his trusty Firebolt broom! You can also see the falls in the sixth film, The Half-Blood Prince, when Ron is completing his trial to become Gryffindor’s quidditch keeper.
To see Steall Falls, you can take on the 90 minute walking route that trails through the Nevis Gorge. The walk is just 3.5km in length, but the path is uneven so ensure that you’re wearing sturdy shoes before you head off. The walk begins at the edge of the car park at the end of the road up Glen Nevis, which can get busy due to being the starting point for a number of walks. You’ll wander through trees until you reach a wide grassy meadow, and from here you’ll see Steall Falls ahead of you – just watch out for dragons…
3. Glen Coe – Hagrid’s hut
The steep sided valley of Glen Coe is a very popular spot with hikers and wild campers due to its stunning scenery. Boasting falls, pools, and mountain views, it’s unsurprising that this almost mythical looking area featured in a number of the wizarding films. For The Prisoner of Azkaban, three sets were introduced to this Harry Potter filming location close to the bottom of Clachaig Gully. Perhaps the most famous of the three was Hagrid’s Hut, complete with pumpkin patch, and the stone sundial in which Hermione famously punches Draco Malfoy.
The filming locations were chosen due to their striking views across Torren Lochan and Signal Rock forest, and you might also recognise the spot where the Bridge of Nowhere was set on the hillside. In addition to the Harry Potter films, Glen Coe has also played a part in a number of other box office hits, including James Bond’s Skyfall and Scottish classic Braveheart. If you’re hoping to hike around Glen Coe, you might like to start at the Visitor’s Centre where you can pick up some helpful tips and information. You’ll also find toilets, a shop, and a cafe here.
4. Loch Eilt – Dumbledore’s grave
A filming location for some sombre Harry Potter moments, Loch Eilt is a freshwater loch located just eight miles from the Glenfinnan viaduct in the Scottish Highlands. A number of small islands are set in the loch, including Eilean na Moine, which is the spot where Dumbledore is shown to be buried. This is where Voldemort comes to steal the Elder Wand in The Deathly Hallows: Part 1, and its remote but beautiful location makes it perfect for this.
You can see Hagrid skimming stones across Loch Eilt in The Prisoner of Azkaban following Buckbeak’s sentencing, when Harry, Hermione, and Ron find him, too. The loch is also used in the background of scenes in The Chamber of Secrets and The Goblet of Fire, so it has played quite an integral part in the film series.
5. Rannoch Moor – Dodging Dementors
Rannoch Moor, or the Great Moor of Rannoch, is the largest area of wilderness in Scotland and one of the last remaining areas of wilderness in Europe. Consisting of bogs, small lakes, and rocky outcrops, this is exactly the kind of place you’d expect to witness a Dementor attack – if you’re a Harry Potter fan of course! Rannoch Moor provided the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 filming location where Dementors swooped in on the Hogwarts Express in their hunt for Harry, and you see them stop the train before spookily apparating themselves on board.
Despite being the spot chosen for this harrowing event in the Harry Potter film series, Rannoch Moor is actually a popular place for hiking, cycling, and fishing, and can be easily reached by foot from the local train station. Trains also travel across the moor, so you might prefer to see it through a window as you pass by rather than tackle the boggy terrain yourself. When you visit, keep an eye out for a whole range of flora and fauna, including red deer and grouse, which thrive in their wilderness surroundings.
Now that you know where to find the top Harry Potter filming locations in Scotland, you can start to plan your magical trip while you enjoy the film series (or books) at home.
