The ultimate Harry Potter Scottish road trip for fans to try this summer

– As Harry Potter arrives on Netflix, experience its iconic locations in real life with a beautiful Highlands road trip

– There are six magical locations to explore, including Glen Etive, Glenfinnan Viaduct, and Loch Morar

– The Harry Potter road trip takes 7 hours 54 minutes to complete by car

As the fifth most popular filming location in Europe, Scotland has provided a beautiful backdrop for countless Hollywood blockbusters over the last few decades.

Harry Potter is perhaps the most famous and beloved of these film series to shoot scenes north of the English border, with stunning Highland scenery featuring across each of the eight exciting instalments.

And, as this franchise has arrived on Netflix and reignited the nation’s love for all things Potter, fans can visit its most iconic filming locations, as Macklin Motors has curated the ultimate road trip route of Scotland for Potterheads.

Taking 8 hours to complete by car, this road trip is perfect for Harry Potter fans who want to feel the magic of their favourite scenes, while taking in beautiful Scottish landscapes at the same time.

The journey starts in the astonishingly beautiful valley of Glen Etive, before driving just over half an hour to Rannoch Moor’s Insta-ready autumnal shades, both of which featured in the Deathly Hallows.

The next stop is Steall Falls, the second highest waterfall in Great Britain, a popular beauty spot that made an appearance in the adrenaline-pumping dragon chase scene in the Goblet of Fire.

Drive 40 minutes further and drivers will find the most iconic Harry Potter filming location in Scotland: Glenfinnan Viaduct. Potterheads will certainly recognise this stunning railway viaduct from the Chamber of Secrets’ unforgettable flying car sequence.

The penultimate stop on the road trip route is Loch Morar, which eagle-eyed fans will immediately recognise as Hogwarts Lake from the Prisoner of Azkaban. Then, a long drive across the Scottish Highlands will reveal the very last filming location on the map: Black Rock Gorge. This stoic cavern featured in the Goblet of Fire, taking centre stage during the Triwizard Tournament.

Macklin Motors spokesperson commented: ““Whether for a bank holiday weekend or a week in the Summer holidays, finding the perfect holiday destination for the entire family is always a tricky task.

“With our Harry Potter road trip, we want to provide the best of both worlds for kids and parents alike, touring beautiful Highland hotspots with a magical twist. Plus, at just under eight hours in total, drivers can complete this road trip in a day or take their time with it throughout their holiday in Scotland.

“So, pack the car with snacks, ready your family’s favourite playlist, and set off on a bewitching adventure around Scotland’s stunning scenery.”

For more filming location road trips around Scotland and to find the Google Maps route for this road trip, visit the Macklin Motors blog.

Gleneagles Townhouse showcases Edinburgh artist Madeleine Gardiner

-New Exhibit ‘Scottish Light’ showcases local artist’s oil paintings in Lobby 37-

Edinburgh born artist Madeleine Gardiner will be the next in a series of Scottish artists to showcase her contemporary landscape paintings in Gleneagles Townhouse this April.

The Townhouse’s exhibition space, Lobby 37, will play host to a selection of Madeleine’s recent oil paintings inspired by memories of childhood holidays in the Scottish Highlands and the soft hazy light of Scotland.

The Exhibition, entitled ‘Scottish Light’, will run from Saturday 1 April to Thursday 27 April and will be available to view daily between 9am and 7pm for the public, and for members and hotel guests throughout their visit to the Townhouse.

Wild spaces, memory and atmosphere are key areas of concern in the artist’s work. 

While her early works reflect nostalgia of the rugged Scottish coast and lochs, over time this presence began to blend with images of her travels to places like Namibia, Arizona, The Canadian Rockies, Vietnam, and the Tyrolean Alps.

Her paintings represent composite landscapes built from memories connected through a shared aesthetic, and harnessing light and recreating the ways in which it alters depth is a primary focus in her process.

Madeleine Gardiner graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with a BA degree in painting in 2015, and moving to London in 2017. 

Two of Madeleine’s paintings are on display in the Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder.

More information about the artist and her work is available at:

 www.madeleinegardiner.com