Potterrow is one of the more speculative stops on any Edinburgh Potter list, and it earns its place almost entirely on a coincidence of names. It’s a real street on the Southside, home to the University of Edinburgh’s student union, and the theory goes that Rowling — who studied French and Classics at Exeter but lived in Edinburgh while writing the early books — may have picked up “Potter” from walking past this sign rather than any grander literary source.
There’s no confirmation from Rowling either way, which puts Potterrow in a different category to stops like Artisan Roast or the Elephant House, where she’s actually weighed in. What makes the detour worth five minutes anyway is the underpass just behind the union.
Location & Nearby
Potterrow runs through the Southside, tucked behind Bristo Square and the University of Edinburgh’s student union building, about a 10-minute walk from Greyfriars Kirkyard and the Old Town Potter cluster. It’s a functional university street rather than a tourist thoroughfare, lined with student housing, union buildings and the entrance to the underpass known locally as Potterrow Port. There’s no signage pointing tourists here, so it works best as a short detour on the way between the Old Town sites and the Meadows rather than a dedicated trip.
The Underpass — Potterrow Port
Directly behind the student union sits an underpass called Potterrow Port, and it’s the visual, atmospheric version of the name theory rather than the textual one. Dim lighting, flickering strip lights and years of graffiti give it an unmistakable resemblance to the dark underpass where Dementors ambush Harry and Dudley in Order of the Phoenix — right down to the sense that something might be lurking just out of view. None of this is confirmed as an inspiration by Rowling; it’s a case of fans noticing the atmosphere fits a scene from the books rather than any documented source.
Who It Suits
Worth the five-minute walk if you’re already doing a full Potter loop through the Southside and Old Town and want the “spot the name inspiration” detail rather than a guaranteed Rowling-confirmed site. If you’d rather stick to stops she’s actually spoken about, prioritise The Elephant House or Artisan Roast instead, both of which have direct JKR commentary attached.
Practical Tips
- There’s no official marker or plaque — you’re looking at a plain street sign and an underpass
- Best visited during the day; the underpass is unremarkable and poorly lit after dark
- Combine with a walk through Bristo Square if you’re near the university anyway
- Treat the name connection as a fan theory, not a confirmed fact, when telling the story to others
- Ten minutes on foot from Greyfriars Kirkyard if you’re linking it into an Old Town route
Frequently Asked Questions
Did J.K. Rowling really name Harry Potter after this street?
It’s unconfirmed. Rowling lived in Edinburgh while writing the early books and Potterrow is a real street near the university, but she has never publicly confirmed it as the source of the Potter name.
What is Potterrow Port?
It’s the underpass just behind the University of Edinburgh’s student union, known for its dim lighting and graffiti, which fans have compared to the underpass scene in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
