J.K. Rowling famously penned many of her iconic Harry Potter books in Edinburgh. In fact, her final book was completed at The Balmoral. Join us as we explore the atmospheric locations that inspired the characters and settings in her books, and visit some of the places where she wrote her much-loved stories.
Victoria Street
The quaint, cobbled street of Diagon Alley is where Harry and his friends go for magical supplies, from Eeylops Owl Emporium to Gringotts Wizarding Bank. Many believe the alley was directly inspired by Edinburgh’s Victoria Street. You won’t find an owl emporium here, but Victoria Street is home to Diagon House, which offers a curious and charming selection of official Harry Potter items.
The Balmoral
Rowling checked into room 552 at The Balmoral to finish The Deathly Hallows, the final instalment in the Harry Potter series. Now known as the J.K. Rowling Suite, you can book a stay in the suite and catch a glimpse of the marble statue upon which the author herself has written, ‘JK Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in this room (552) on 11th Jan 2007.’
Greyfriars Kirkland
This atmospheric graveyard serves as the final resting places of some familiarly named individuals, such as Thomas Riddell and William McGonagall. Keep your eyes peeled for the views of George Heriot’s School from here, too—this 16 th -century turreted school may well have stirred Rowling’s imagination when she was writing about Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Spoon
Formerly known as Nicolson’s Café, Spoon was where Rowling penned some of the earliest chapters of Harry Potter. Less frequented than the Elephant House Café, where the author famously wrote several of the later Potter novels, look for the Harry Potter themed plaque outside.
To book your stay in the extraordinary J.K. Rowling suite at The Balmoral call +44 131 556
2414 or email reservations.balmoral@roccofortehotels.com.
Paris is always a good idea. Except, perhaps, when it’s hosting the Olympic Summer Games, and the usual tourist throng looks set to multiply almost prohibitively. Of course, the Games are exciting, but if wading through crowds feels like a marathon effort, try a cultural relay around one of these stunning European cities instead.
As the gentle glow of each ornate chandelier begins to dim, a hush descends upon the audience before an all-consuming world of tragedy and triumph unfolds. Both exhilarating and deeply moving, a night at the opera has the distinct power to evoke emotion, while offering a unique insight into a perhaps unfamiliar city.
Journey through Europe’s symphony of unmissable opera houses, each steeped in history and grandeur.
This summer, Masseria Torre Maizza turns up the volume on a cause that needs our attention. Save the Olives, a non-profit organisation championed by Dame Helen Mirren, whose mission is to raise awareness of Xylella fastidiosa, a bacterium devastating Puglia’s olive trees and impacting the local economy and ecosystem. In support, we have devised an incredible calendar of music and art amidst our Masseria’s olive groves – a poignant setting, grounded in the cause.
