Question 1

Is this tour suitable for my kids? Is it too scary? Will they understand it?

Accepted Answer

We welcome children of above the age of seven but ask you not to bring children under the age of seven on the tour, unless it is a private booking. We know from experience that their little legs don’t tend to enjoy a 1hr+ walking tour. In addition, some of the tour content deals with the later, darker books which most of them have not read yet, and with the biography of the author and history of the city, topics which aren't aimed at younger children.  Babes-in-arms (under 18 months) are allowed on public tours and you do not have to book a space for them. However, please make plans to take them away from the group for a while should there be tears, so as not to disrupt the experience of others. We recommend carrying babies in a sling, because some of the ground is uneven, however many parents have managed with pushchairs.

If you’re travelling with a big group of many ages we recommend you book a tour for the older members and we’ll happily recommend some wizarding activities that younger kids might join you for after your tour. If that's not possible, we can accommodate younger children on a private tour.  We do not allow unaccompanied children on any tour.

With regard to scares - the Potter Trail has some creepy locations, but there’s nothing in here half as likely to give kids nightmares as some of the scarier scenes in the books! There’s no-one waiting to jump out or try and scare you – this isn’t a ‘ghost’ or ‘horror’ tour, and is aimed at entertaining, not terrifying!
The tour is designed to engage Potterheads old enough to read the books and communicate information clearly. We feature lots of interactive elements including a House Point Competition, sorting quiz and spellcasting to keep kids (over seven) entertained.

Question 2

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Accepted Answer

Our tours run rain or shine, and we get plenty of both in Edinburgh! When you join us on the Potter Trail, we suggest packing umbrellas or waterproofs to cope with our changeable weather.

In very rare circumstances we may cancel a tour if weather conditions are so extreme they present an actual danger to us or our guests (e.g. during orange or red weather warnings from the met office).

We will always contact guests if their tour is going to be cancelled for any reason, so if you don't get a cancellation message/email from us by the morning of your tour date, you can be confident the tour will go ahead.

Question 3

Are dogs welcome on the tour?

Accepted Answer

Yes, unless they’re called Fluffy.

Question 4

My partner/kids/friends are mad about Potter, but I’ve never even read it. Will I find it boring/confusing?"

Accepted Answer

We certainly hope not! Although the tour is focused on the books and films, there’s also plenty of funny, atmospheric and informative content about Edinburgh’s literary history and real-world characters. If all you know about the series is that they’re about the adventures of a schoolboy wizard and are written by JK Rowling, then congratulations – you already know more than enough to enjoy the tour. No prior knowledge is assumed.

Question 5

I have mobility problems – is this tour for me?

Accepted Answer

The tour involves about a mile and a half of walking, with frequent stops. Wheelchair users are welcome, but a small number of locations involve slightly uneven terrain. We’ll adapt things so if you can’t visit these locations, you won’t be away from the group for more than a few moments.

Question 6

I want to bring a birthday party/hen do/club social on the tour. Is that okay?

Accepted Answer

We’d love to see you! Although unfortunately we can't accept large groups onto our public tour. Any groups larger than 10 people must book a private tour.
If you book a private tour, you’ll get a more memorable personal experience – and we’ll work with you to tailor the tour just for your group

Question 7

I’m exceedingly generous! Do you have a guideline amount?

Accepted Answer

Most walking tours in Edinburgh cost somewhere between £15 and £25 per person. If you can afford it, anything in this range woud be much appreciated! Our tours are, however, set up as free to allow anyone to enjoy the tour regardless of their financial situation and we won’t hold it against you if you choose not to make a contribution.

Question 8

Can I take photographs?

Accepted Answer

100% yes! In fact, we'd encourage you to upload any photos to our TripAdvisor, Facebook and Instagram pages. We only ask that you don't take any videos and post big chunks of the tour online as this would ruin the experience for future witches and wizards who want to join the tour!

Question 9

Where does the tour start?

Accepted Answer

We meet by the famous Greyfriars Bobby statue on George IV Bridge, across from the National Museum of Scotland, near the junction between Chambers Street and the George IV Bridge.

Question 10

Do you offer the tour in any other languages besides English?

Accepted Answer

All of our tours are currently in English only. We have however had plenty of people translating for their children / friends on the tour in the past. You might find this a little easier to do if you book a private tour with us as you can then control the pace of the tour and we can leave gaps for translation.

There are other Harry Potter tours in the city that currently provide tours in different languages.

Question 11

Can I come on the tour as part of a larger group?

Accepted Answer

You will not be able to book groups larger than six on to our Free Public Tours. If you are bringing a larger group, we insist that you book one of our Private Tours. If you are a school/youth group you can book one of our School Tours to get a discounted rate. 
 
This is to keep the tour at a manageable size, and means the tour will be much better for your group, and our guides.

Question 12

My kids haven’t read all the books / seen all the films yet. Does the tour contain any spoilers?

Accepted Answer

This depends what you consider to be a spoiler! There are a few references to later books and a few plot points mentioned that might not make sense if you haven’t read the whole series. The plot points we mention are:

•   Harry meeting Lord Voldemort at the end of the Triwizard Tournament
•   The fact that Tom Riddle is revealed to be Voldemort
•   Harry and Dudley getting attacked by dementors at the beginning of book 5

There are also references to Mad Eye Moody, Rufus Scrimgeour, Amos Diggory, Sirius Black, Rita Skeeter, Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, Borgin and Burkes, Dumbledore’s Army and Tom Riddle’s family.

Question 13

I’ve heard Edinburgh has a lot of hills! What sort of distance does the tour cover and is it all flat?

Accepted Answer

We cover about 1.25 miles on the route, and believe it or not it is almost entirely flat!

Question 14

Where is good to park near the tour start point?

Accepted Answer

There are usually some available places on either Chambers Street or Grassmarket for muggle vehicles. Failing that there is a multi-storey carpark on Castle Terrace. We are currently petitioning Edinburgh Council to get some decent broom parking spaces nearby.

Question 15

Who is responsible for my safety?

Accepted Answer

Guests are responsible for their own safety following the tour, which takes place in public locations. Nothing in the tour is more hazardous than exploring Edinburgh unaccompanied, but we advise guests to take due care especially crossing the road and when there is wet/uneven ground underfoot, and cannot accept liability for injuries. Children must be supervised by a responsible adult. There is about 1.25 miles of walking on the tour.