Greyfriars Kirkyard & Victoria Street

Greyfriars Kirkyard

The Greyfriars Kirkyard (since 1562) is Edinburgh's most famous cemetery — and one of the most atmospheric places in the city. Crooked gravestones, weathered mausoleums, ancient trees, and the silhouette of George Heriot's School in the background. Two stories make it legendary:

• Harry Potter: J.K. Rowling walked here when she wrote the first novels. On the gravestones, you can find the names Tom Riddell (Voldemort's birth name), William McGonagall (Professor McGonagall), and Elizabeth Moodie. The George Heriot's School behind the cemetery — a boarding school with towers and battlements — was the visual inspiration for Hogwarts.
• Greyfriars Bobby: A Skye Terrier who, after the death of his owner John Gray, watched over his grave at Greyfriars Kirkyard for 14 years (1858–1872). His bronze statue in front of the cemetery is one of Edinburgh's most photographed monuments. The story is sentimental, probably somewhat exaggerated — but Edinburgh's heart belongs to Bobby.

Victoria Street & Grassmarket

The Victoria Street is a curved, steeply descending street with colorful facades leading from the Royal Mile to the Grassmarket — and the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. Antiquarian bookshops, souvenir shops, restaurants, and the vibrant colors of the facades make it one of the most photographed places in the city.

The Grassmarket at the foot is a historic marketplace in the shadow of Castle Rock — once the site of public executions (a gallows cross marks the spot), now a lively mix of pubs, restaurants, and boutiques. The pubs at Grassmarket (The Last Drop, Maggie Dickson's) are among the most atmospheric in the city.