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!