The enduring appeal of Harry Potter shows no signs of abating. Children and adults alike are drawn in by the magic and power of the mythology of the books and films. The film series consists of eight epic fantasy films, beginning with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and culminating with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. Much of the film series was shot in Scotland, and today you can visit some its top filming locations, which we outline below.
1. Loch Etive
Lock Etive is located on the west coast of Scotland. 30 kilometres long, this impressive sea loch was used in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 as the setting for Harry, Hermione and Ron's famous camping trip. The closest town to the Loch is Taynuilt, which is 46 miles from Fort William via the A82, and 87 miles north of Glasgow via the A82 road. If you’d rather get to Lock Etive by train, from Glasgow Queen Street station you can take First Scotrail train to nearby Taynuilt (the journey takes 2hrs 36 minutes). Head to the northernmost corner of the lake to find the exact filming spot.
A Harry Potter fan exploring Loch Etive.
2. Loch Eilt
Another awe-inspiring Scottish loch used in the Harry Potter films is Loch Eilt. This freshwater loch in found in Lochaber, in the West Highlands of Scotland. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the Prisoner of Azkaban, the Goblet of Fire, the Deathly Hallows Part 2, the Loch was used for establishing shots of the Hogwarts school grounds, and later as the island location of Dumbledore's grave. Loch Eilt is 134 miles north Glasgow and accessible via the A82. Lochailort is the nearest train station, and trains from Fort William take around 50 minutes.
3. The Jacobite Steam Train
The world-renowned Hogwarts Express featured in all of the Harry Potter films. It is the name of the train that journeys between London, King's Cross Station Platform 9¾ and Hogsmeade Station. The real life Hogwarts Express is The Jacobite Steam Train, which travels from Fort William to Mallaig. Often referred to as the greatest railway journey in the world, this near 90 mile round trip passes over the Glenfinnan Viaduct — an iconic Harry Potter location, which featured in four of the Harry Potter films. Tickets cost £34 for a standard ticket and £58 for a first class adult return. During the summer the train passes over the viaduct four times a day. And it’s a must-do experience for Potter fans.
The Jacobite Steam Train passes over the Glenfinnan Monument.
4. Loch Arkaig
The dragion escape flight so brilliantly depicted in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 was filmed on location at Loch Arkaig, Scotland. In real life the Loch is a hidden gem, calm and peaceful, it is found off the beaten track between Inverness and Fort William. The Loch’s pine forest is one of the Scotland’s last remaining fragments of native Caledonian pinewood. Entrance to the Loch is free of course, and the closest town is Fort William, which has a well-connected train station which has a regular service to Glasgow.