Why is the Elephant House temporarily closed?

A meeting of City of Edinburgh Council's Local Review Body heard that the building on Merchant Street in the Capital had been uninhabitable since the fire in August 2021. The Elephant House Café below was closed and temporarily moved to a new location because of the impact of the blaze on the building structure.

Why is the Elephant House closed?

Plans have been unveiled to restore the Elephant House Cafe in Edinburgh, after it was forced to close its doors four years ago following a devastating fire ripped through the building.

What happened to the Elephant Cafe?

The Elephant House cafe was one of several properties badly damaged in a blaze on George IV Bridge in Edinburgh in August 2021. Its reopening has been delayed because the building's owner went into liquidation. Cafe owner David Taylor said he hoped to reopen by summer 2024.

Who is the owner of the Elephant House?

In December the BBC published an article featuring an interview with David Taylor, the owner of the cafe, it has been revealed that “The table JK Rowling used to lean on to write part of her books was salvaged from the fire and restored.

Did JK Rowling write in The Elephant House?

This is one of the cafes in which JK Rowling wrote some of Harry Potter - but it was not the "birthplace" of Harry Potter as it claimed. In fact, JK Rowling has pointed out that she had been writing Harry Potter for years before she ever set foot in the place.

After The Fire - Elephant House JK Rowlings WIndow - Oz Bar - Candlemaker Row - Harry Potter Cafe

Is Diagon Alley in Edinburgh?

Victoria Street Edinburgh. Believed to have inspired Diagon Alley, thanks to its winding layout, colourful façades, and whimsical shops — J.K. Rowling lived wrote nearby #edinburgh #scotland. JK took inspiration from the surrounding areas when she penned HP working from a cafe nearby.

What book did J.K. Rowling write when she was 6?

Jo wanted to be a writer from an early age. She wrote her first book at the age of six – a story about a rabbit, called 'Rabbit'. At just eleven, she wrote her first novel – about seven cursed diamonds and the people who owned them.

Why is the Elephant House famous?

Arguably the most famous café in Edinburgh, The Elephant house earned it's remarkable reputation as the “birthplace” of Harry Potter where it is known J.K Rowling spent much of her early writing career. As a result of this, the café has become a tourism hot spot with bus tours stopping to walk in the shoes of Rowling.

Where is the girl who stole an elephant set?

Set in the dazzling landscapes of Sri Lanka, The Girl Who Stole an Elephant is the story of a girl called Chaya and her friends Neel and Nour.

Did JK Rowling write in a coffee shop?

The original Elephant House Cafe on George IV Bridge became a tourist attraction after it was revealed that some of the series of books about the famous boy wizard were written at the Edinburgh cafe.

Where did they film Harry Potter in Edinburgh?

Alnwick Castle

My first Rabbie's tour will come as no surprise. It was Alnwick Castle, where the first two Harry Potter movies were filmed. The tour itself was fantastic because our driver/guide James knew we were all Potterheads and made sure to tailor his stories towards us.

What is the saddest elephant that died?

Often referred to as the "world's saddest elephant," Mali was a resident at the Manila Zoo for over 40 years. Manila zoo's chief veterinarian announced Mali died from pancreatic cancer, as well as a blockage in her aorta. At the start of the week Manila Zoo's chief veterinarian Dr.

Where is the loneliest elephant now?

After eight long years, Kaavan is finally able to interact with other elephants again. In his new home in Cambodia, he is slowly getting to know the other giants in the neighboring enclosure.

Is the oldest elephant still alive?

In fact, the longest-living elephant in the world was Vatsala, a female elephant who lived in the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, India. She died on Wednesday, 9 July 2025. She remains the only elephant known to have lived 100 years or longer.

Who is the half-blood prince?

Severus Snape was born 9 January 1960 to Tobias Snape, an abusive Muggle, and Eileen Prince, a neglectful pure-blood witch. He began to identify with his mother's family and created a secret nickname from his mother's maiden name, calling himself the "Half-Blood Prince".

What is the sad story of J.K. Rowling?

The truth is, Her life is full of lessons to learn, J.K. Rowling worked in the hardest and toughest environment, Her mother died when she was 25, The death of her mother shattered her completely. That was right after she began writing Harry Potter and she never had the chance to tell her.

What happened when J.K. Rowling was 15 years old?

Anne was diagnosed with a "virulent strain" of multiple sclerosis when she was 34 or 35 and Jo was 15. Rowling's home life was complicated by her mother's illness and a strained relationship with her father. Rowling later said "home was a difficult place to be", and that her teenage years were unhappy.

Is Edinburgh like Harry Potter?

Edinburgh has a history of witchcraft, or at least witch-hunting, and with Edinburgh Castle looming over the city it is easy to see a connection between Edinburgh and magical Hogwarts. For all HP fans, here are some of the Harry Potter locations in Edinburgh where J K Rowling found inspiration for the books.

What is the French version of Diagon Alley?

Place Cachée, the French equivalent of Diagon Alley, if you like, translates to 'hidden place' in English – and serves as your main shopping district.

Why is Victoria Street in Edinburgh so famous?

Victoria Street is a steep street of cobbles, which winds up from the Grassmarket to George IV Bridge, near the Royal Mile. With its unusual shape and collection of quirky shops, its often said to be the idea behind Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series.

Where is Dumbledore's grave?

Dumbledore's Island (and other Harry Potter locations)

The Island of trees, Eilean na Moine, located on Loch Eilt, Lochaber is the setting for Dumbledore's grave. Located on the A830 towards Glenfinnan from Lochailort.

Was Game of Thrones filmed in Scotland?

Doune Castle (aka Winterfell) where the pilot episode was shot, is the only "Game of Thrones" filming location in Scotland. The medieval castle was originally built in the thirteenth century and can be seen in several other films such as "Monty Python and the Holy Grail."

Where was the Buckbeak scene filmed?

Loch Shiel

Buckbeak flew over this lake and Harry and Hermione looked across it from the astronomy tower in Half-Blood Prince. The loch is deep, nearly 400 feet, and enclosed by mountains on the northeast side.