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 ...

Jul 10, 2025

J.K. Rowling’s Golden Handprints Edinburgh

Hidden finds!

""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!

Art & culture

About this spot

High Street 253

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