George Heriot’s School: The Real-Life Hogwarts That Inspired Harry Potter

A historic illustration of George Heriot’s School in Edinburgh — the turreted, quadrangle-shaped building often said to have inspired Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series.

If you’ve ever stood at the gates of George Heriot’s School, just below Edinburgh Castle, you’ll understand why people stop in their tracks.

It looks like Hogwarts.

Four grand towers rise at each corner of a stone quadrangle. Turrets and staircases twist through the historic building. The whole place feels like it belongs to another world — one where owls carry letters, staircases move, and chosen children step into their destiny.

But George Heriot’s is not a film set. It’s a real school.And its story might just be one of the truest magical tales in Edinburgh.

A School for the Heartbroken

The school was founded in 1628 by George Heriot, a goldsmith who became one of the richest men in Scotland. He had no surviving children — but instead of hoarding his wealth, he left it to build a school for “puir, faitherless bairns.” Children who had lost a parent and faced life alone.

His vision was bold: a palace-like school built not for princes, but for orphans. A place where grief would not mean the end of a future — but the beginning of something new.

And that vision continues today.George Heriot’s is now one of the most prestigious schools in Scotland, offering first-class education to students of all backgrounds.And it still holds fast to Heriot’s founding promise: if a child has lost a parent — mother or father — they may be offered a place for free.

The Magic of Real-Life Inspiration

J.K. Rowling never confirmed that George Heriot’s was the model for Hogwarts — but the clues are there.

She lived in Edinburgh while writing the Harry Potter books.She wrote in cafés just minutes from the school gates.Her own children attended Heriot’s.

And the echoes are uncanny.

Harry Potter, an orphan, is taken to a school where his life changes forever. A school full of turrets and history. A place where he belongs, even though he doesn’t yet know how. Heriot’s, too, was founded to give lost children a home — one that looked more like a castle than a classroom.

It’s easy to believe that as Rowling wandered the city, passing those spires and arches, the image of a magical school began to form.

Not Just a Lookalike

Many buildings claim to have inspired Hogwarts. But George Heriot’s isn’t just about how it looks — it’s about what it stands for.

This is a school born from grief and built on generosity.It still offers hope to families who’ve faced loss.And it proves that even in the real world, compassion can build something lasting.Something magical.

So if you're visiting Edinburgh and searching for a glimpse of the wizarding world, don't just head to the usual spots. Look to the school behind the gates.The one that looks like Hogwarts. And still holds its own kind of quiet magic.

Want to uncover more stories hiding in plain sight? Browse our Edinburgh History Walks Map