Article Source: VisitScotland
Last Updated: 23 June 2017 15:38
A Ford Anglia seen flying over the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets has touched down in Bo’ness to help Fetlar the snowy owl launch VisitScotland’s first ever Harry Potter holiday itinerary.
The online guide has been created ahead of the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – the first of JK Rowling’s seven bestselling books about the boy wizard – which was first published on 26 June 1997.
Using the itinerary, fans of Harry, Ron and Hermione can enjoy a magical four-day tour of Scotland, starting in Edinburgh, where Rowling wrote the first and last novels in the series, and finishing in Glen Coe, which forms the stunning backdrop to the movies The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Goblet of Fire.
It also includes a trip on the Jacobite Steam Train, the real-life Hogwarts Express which can be seen crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct on the West Highland Line in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
To celebrate the itinerary launch, one of the Ford Anglia 105Es used in the 2002 movie was at Kinneil House – a Historic Environment Scotland property – along with five-year-old Fetlar, a snowy owl similar to Harry’s beloved pet Hedwig.
The car is on display at Bo’ness Motor Museum, alongside such gems as James Bond’s Lotus Esprit from The Spy Who Loved Me and Del Boy’s Reliant Robin from Only Fools and Horses, while Fetlar can be visited at the Scottish Owl Centre. Among its many feathered residents, the Centre is also home to Oulu – a 15-year-old Great Grey and real-life sister of Errol, Ron Weasley’s hapless bird who also features in The Chamber of Secrets.
Other locations on the itinerary include:
• The Elephant House, Edinburgh – the coffee house where JK Rowling wrote much of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
• The Balmoral, Edinburgh – where the author penned the final book of the series, The Deathly Hallows
• Rannoch Moor, Highlands – the mysterious place where Death Eaters board the train in the movie Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 1
• Loch Shiel, Highlands – the loch which doubles for the Black Lake in the film series
• Steall Falls, Highlands – a beautiful cascading waterfall that features in The Goblet of Fire, when Harry faces down a Hungarian Horntail dragon in the Triwizard Tournament
• Clachaig Inn, Glen Coe, Highlands – the inn next door to the site of Hagrid’s Hut in The Prisoner of Azkaban
Jenni Steele, Film and Creative Industries Manager at VisitScotland, said: “Harry Potter is a truly global phenomenon that has brought joy to millions of people of all ages over the last two decades. As ‘the birthplace of Harry Potter’, Scotland boasts numerous locations associated with the bestselling books and the blockbuster movies. Our handy new online itinerary allows fans to follow in the footsteps of JK Rowling as well as the boy wizard himself and enjoy a magical tour of Scotland.”
To view the full itinerary, click here
Photo credit: Lauren Walker from the Scottish Owl Centre at Kinneil House with snowy owl Fetlar – the type of bird made famous by Hedwig – and a Ford Anglia seen in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Picture: James Glossop/VisitScotland.
Stirling’s Remembering Together project is set to host a celebration of community, creativity and the changing seasons on Thursday 2nd May in the heart of Cornton.
READ MORENow in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MOREStirling Council is thrilled to announce the creation of Stirling Studios, which will be among the biggest film studio campuses in Scotland.
READ MOREFamilies have been following a fascinating trail featuring life-size brick models of sea creatures around Stirling at the BRICKLIVE Ocean tour which runs until Sunday April 21st.
READ MORELatest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MOREThe Stirling Highland Games Committee is thrilled to announce that former Scotland International hooker Kevin McKenzie has been appointed as the Honorary Chieftain for the 2024 Games.
READ MORE17 year old Brodie Brown from Stirling goes head-to-head for ‘Song of the Year’ at The John Lennon Songwriter Awards despite life-long physical and mental health battles.
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MOREThis year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MOREJoin Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORENoughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MOREMacdonald Hotels, one of the UK’s most popular independent hotel groups, invites you to join them for an Easter break to remember.
READ MOREA mass gathering of heavy horses assembled at the home of Scotland’s iconic Kelpies structures today (Tuesday, March 26) in celebration of the forthcoming 10th anniversary.
READ MOREDobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MOREThe search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MOREThis year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MOREA host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MOREA range of Stirling’s outstanding independent business owners were rewarded with trophies last night at the city’s annual Business Awards.
READ MORESpring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MOREFull cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MOREDobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MOREA sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland is going hopping mad for Easter and hosting a bumper 35 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care this spring.
READ MOREStirling’s business community is getting ready to celebrate at the city’s annual awards for independent traders.
READ MOREExcavation work on a Pictish stone of potential ‘international significance’, discovered buried in a cemetery near Doune, will begin within the next fortnight.
READ MOREGreat Run 2024 series highlights inspirational stories from runners around the UK.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is bringing back its much-loved Easter event, inviting families to hop along to their nearest store and enjoy an Easter Bunny Breakfast egg-stravaganza.
READ MOREFriday 8th March marks International Women's Day and to celebrate Vue is set to screen four inspiring films which follow the achievements of incredible female leads.
READ MORE