Harry Potter fans worldwide will forever associate the City of
Edinburgh with the image of J. K. Rowling 
huddled over a cold coffee creating their favourite
fictional witches and wizards.
One of the most appealing aspects of the J. K. Rowling story is
her rags to riches tale which continues to inspire new writers not
just in Edinburgh but worldwide.
Real life inspiration
For J. K. Rowling Edinburgh turned out to be the perfect
inspiration for the Harry Potter books with its brooding castle
perched above the city and winding cobbled streets.
Walking around Edinburgh's old town it isn't hard to imagine
meeting a witch or wizard. In fact during the tourist season you
may well meet someone dressed as a wizard leading a tour group of
ghost hunters.
It has even been suggested that one of Edinburgh's private
schools, George Heriot's School was the model for Hogwart's School
of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is easy to see how this impressive
building sitting in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle and only a few
minutes from the Royal Mile could have inspired the writer.
Scottish Arts Council Funding
It wasn't just Edinburgh's fantastic historical atmosphere that
helped J. K. Rowling launch her writing career. As a single mother
living on benefits she applied for a writer's bursary from the
Scottish Arts Council. She 
says this gave her the encouragement and the financial
support to complete the first Harry Potter book.
After completing the first book it was only a matter of time
before an agent agreed to represent her. The book was eventually
picked up by Bloomsbury and published in 1997. Soon fans all over
the world were demanding more Harry Potter and J. K. Rowling
decided to write a series of books.
After seven books and film adaptations she has become one of
Britain's richest women.
Edinburgh - a special place
Despite her huge fortune J. K. Rowling has never been tempted to
leave the city that inspired her. On receiving the Edinburgh Award
in 2008 honouring her contribution to the social and cultural life
of Edinburgh she said, "It is an absolute honour to receive this
award, as Edinburgh is very much home for me and is the place where
Harry evolved over seven books and many, many hours of writing in
its cafes.
"So much has happened to me both professionally and
personally since I moved here nearly 15 years ago, that to receive
this recognition is particularly meaningful and special." - JK
Rowling
Edinburgh – a writer's city
J. K. Rowling isn't the only writer to have been inspired and
honoured by Edinburgh. Sir Walter Scott (1771 – 1832) was a
prolific Scottish historical novelist and poet. He was popular in
Scotland and throughout Europe in his day.
Edinburgh's main train station is named after his Waverley
novels. And no first time visitor to Edinburgh upon leaving
Waverley Station could miss the Scott Monument, an inspiring gothic
rocket dominating the city's main shopping street.
Other great writer's who were inspired by Edinburgh include
Robert Burns (1759 - 1796) and Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 -
1894). Edinburgh's Writer's Museum, situated in Lady Stair's House,
built in 1622, just off the Royal Mile is dedicated to the lives of
great Scottish Author's from the 14th Century to the
present day.
Edinburgh continues to be an inspiration to writers and aspiring
writers of all ages.
