J.K. Rowling’s Golden Handprints Edinburgh

Hidden finds!

Sarah from Edinburgh

About me Hi! I’m Sarah. I’m a marketing professional and travel writer. Based in Edinburgh’s city centre, I’ve worked for some of Scotland’s most prestigious tourism boards, hotels and attractions. Teaching people about my beautiful city and country is one of my favourite pastimes. I love storytelling. My own website focuses on vegan travel on a tight budget. My love of animals ...
""J.K. Rowling’s Golden Handprints" is one of the tons of Harry Potter-related sights in Edinburgh that most fans miss. Tourists wander right past it!"

I have a confession to make – I’ve never read or seen anything from the Harry Potter series! However, the world’s obsession with the spectacle-wearing wizard brings tourists to Edinburgh in their droves. The city is where J.K. Rowling lived while she wrote most of the books, and everywhere you go, nods to the city’s architecture can be found in her tales.

But, in amongst the Potter tours of the real-life Diagon Alley and Hogwarts school buildings, there’s something they always miss... J.K. Rowling’s golden handprints! This is one of my favourite Harry Potter-inspired secret spots in Edinburgh, and I LOVE making people feel like they have seen something special by taking them there. In fact, they’re so small that even a lot of the locals don’t know they’re there!

What’s even better is that it couldn’t be easier to get to them! As you walk up Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile towards the castle, you’ll find the Edinburgh City Chambers. In its flagstone courtyard, you’ll find squares of golden handprints; the markings of Edinburgh Award winners, immortalised in bronze. J.K. Rowling’s prints are on one of the first flagstones on the left. Tourists wander right past the spot every day without ever knowing they’ve passed right by a mini Harry Potter treat!

002-building
Art & culture

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

Edinburgh Spotter Sarah

About me Hi! I’m Sarah. I’m a marketing professional and travel writer. Based in Edinburgh’s city centre, I’ve worked for some of Scotland’s most prestigious tourism boards, hotels and attractions. Teaching people about my beautiful city and country is one of my favourite pastimes. I love storytelling. My own website focuses on vegan travel on a tight budget. My love of animals and environmental welfare means that I regularly document projects and interest stories covering these topics. Why Edinburgh I’ve visited 40 countries and countless cities, but Edin...

About this spot

High Street 253

£

free

Nov 9, 2025

Our Edinburgh City Guide

Find your way with 138 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Edinburgh guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Edinburgh

Piershill Cemetery

Magical mystery

"Piershill Cemetery" in Edinburgh has a large Jewish section (quite uncommon), but the main thing that caught my eye was the tomb of the Great Lafayette...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Fiona

Diack

Nov 19, 2025

Kukina

The borek place

"Kukina" in Edinburgh is known among my circle of friends as 'the borek place.' But I have to admit: once I had one their gozleme, I could never go back...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Fiona

Diack

Nov 19, 2025

Pilrig Park

UK's only siege works site

This park holds a hidden treasure from the 16th century! These siege works are believed to be the only ones from the 16th century found in Britain.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Nov 17, 2025

Dean Cemetery

Hidden stories

"Dean Cemetery" in Edinburgh keeps some fascinating stories hidden in the gravestones. My favorite is that of the man behind the phrase 'botched job...'

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Fiona

Diack

Nov 17, 2025

Campervan Brewery

COVID-friendly beer spot

"Campervan Brewery" and their amazing taproom in Edinburgh is the perfect place for a post-lockdown pint. You should try their Trainspotting beer!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Fiona

Diack

Nov 17, 2025

Considerat Chocolate

Incredible vegan donuts

Plant based or not, if you love donuts, you HAVE to take a trip to "Considerat Chocolate" in Edinburgh! You won't even notice they're vegan...

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Nov 13, 2025

Nott Wine Bar

Charcuterie boards & artisan coffee

Edinburgh's Leith Walk is filling up fast with trendy new coffee shops, bakeries, and local maker stores - "Nott Wine Bar" is one of my favourites!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Nov 7, 2025

Lochend Park

Birdwatching bounty

"Lochend Park" in Edinburgh is for you if you want a peaceful stroll around a loch (small lake), a gander at a doocot, a dander under mature trees...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Oct 29, 2025

Newhaven Harbour

Fish and chips by the sea

Cute, quaint "Newhaven Harbour" is a hidden gem in Edinburg. Try walking around the area - it will take you about an hour...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Oct 29, 2025

Starbank Park

Gardens with a view

"Starbank Park" in Edinburgh offers cracking views over the Firth of Forth - it's such a peaceful, beautiful place to sit and sun yourself in the sea air!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Oct 29, 2025

Water of Leith

River through the city

The "Water of Leith" is a river that runs from one side of Edinburgh to the other, and it runs through some of the city's most scenic & interesting sites...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Oct 29, 2025

Wardie Bay

Wild swimming in the city

"Wardie Bay" in Edinburgh is a bijou beach on the Firth of Forth and my favourite spot for wild swimming in the city...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Oct 29, 2025

Heading to Edinburgh?

138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Edinburgh app Home
Edinburgh app Home
Edinburgh app Map
Edinburgh app Home

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

138 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Edinburgh

Get to know our other Spotters from Edinburgh

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
53
Made with the 💚 of 496 Spotters.
Filters