EDINBURGH: Sam Thorne guides Harry Potter enthusiasts through the gothic streets of Edinburgh, where famous author JK Rowling dreamt up the boy wizard over three decades ago. The Scottish capital draws fans of the schoolboy from all corners of the world, boosting the UK economy and contributing billions of pounds in global sales of Potter-related products.
“Here you will encounter the tomb of Voldemort,” Thorne tells his tour group, referring to the dark lord who murdered Potter’s parents when he was a baby. The tour, consisting of about 20 fans, winds through Greyfriars Kirkyard cemetery, where some gravestones bear names reminiscent of several characters”.
American Kate Merson, 43, works in Edinburgh and joins the walk with her husband and two children, aiming to satisfy her nine-year-old’s passion for Potter and her own curiosity about the magical world of Hogwarts.
“Busier and Crazier”
Rowling penned seven Potter books, published between 1997 and 2007, which led to eight blockbuster movies and a multi-billion-dollar global phenomenon. Fans remain captivated by Edinburgh, whose sights and scenes inspired many fantastical characters and locations.
“It’s only gotten busier and crazier. More people are coming in, all asking for tours,” Thorne, 33, told international media. His “Potter Trail” lasts an hour and a half, guiding several dozen tourists through the city’s charming streets, with a suggested donation of £20 ($26) per person.
Thorne’s popular tour concludes on the vibrant, Instagram-friendly Victoria Street, in front of two bustling Potter merchandise shops packed with muggles, or non-wizards. Briya Maru, a 27-year-old Indian from Toronto, braves the driving rain outside one shop, eager to spend on Potter souvenirs.
“It was symbolic for me to get them from here, the Harry Potter city,” Maru told AFP, seeking “exclusive” artifacts. Manager Monica Alsina reports brisk business at her ‘Enchanted Galaxy’ shop, where items range from £40 magic wands to £650 limited-edition character sculptures.
“Tourism Engine”
“The shop has been doing great. Harry Potter is just getting more and more popular,” said Alsina. Although there have been no new books or films recently, the “Potterverse” has expanded to include a hit video game, a West End play, the “Fantastic Beasts” film franchise, and an upcoming television series.
“Harry Potter is a fantastic engine for tourism in Scotland,” said Jenni Steele, spokeswoman for tourism agency VisitScotland. Fans also flock to filming locations in England, including London, the Cotswolds, and York, as well as “The Making of Harry Potter” film-studio park, which has attracted 19 million visitors since opening in 2012. Tickets for the attraction near London start at £53 each, with total revenues exceeding one billion dollars.
