Hogwarts Herald

The Harry Potter series author, J.K. Rowling, is to have her handprints become the latest tourist attraction in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. Her handprints are set in stone and will be put on display outside the City Chambers. The preserving of her handprints is part of her honor of receiving the Edinburgh Award, which she was awarded last year. Of the honor of having her handprints preserved, J.K. Rowling said, “I am deeply honour to have my keyboard-chipped fingernails, not to mention my pen-induced friction callous, commemorated in the place where I produced Harry Potter.” The handprints have already been set in stone at a stonemason’s workshop in Morningside, but it sounds like they are not yet on display outside the City Chambers. At least the article I read just implied they were soon to be displayed or perhaps it meant they just went on display.

Remember to comment this month and get an entry in the Hogwarts Herald February 2009 Contest to win a copy of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

The other day I ran across an interesting travel site that books HP Fan Trips. They offer some Adult and Family trips in London and include London and Edinburgh. All the trips this year correspond with the theatrical release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The London trip this year is called London Movie and the other trips are either London to Edinburgh or Edinburgh to London.

The London Movie trip is offered as an Adult tour and a Family tour July 15-19, 2009. It costs $1,949 ($2,199 on Family tour) per person based on double occupancy. The trip includes 4 nights in a 3 star hotel, a ride on the Olton Hall (”Hogwarts Express”) to Oxford, movie tickets to a midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, a Gala Banquet at Hampton Court Palace, a guide daily, a professional storyteller, transfers from the airport to the hotel, a panoramic tour of London, guided tour of Oxford filming locations, and breakfast daily.

The Edinburgh to London trip is offered as an Adult tour July 10-19 and a Family tour July 11-19, 2009. It costs $3,199 ($2,899 for family tour) per person based on double occupancy. It includes 4 (3 on Family Tour) nights in Edinburgh, 1 night in Gloucester, 4 nights in London, a ride on the Olton Hall (”Hogwarts Express”) to Oxford, a Gala Banquet at Hampton Court Palace, movie tickets to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, a guide, a storyteller, a panoramic tour of Edinburgh, Alnwick Castle entrances, Edinburgh Castle tour, tour through Highlands of Scotland, air transfer from Edinburgh to Birmingham, guided walking tour of Oxford, tour of Gloucester Cathedral and Lacock Abbey filming locations, panoramic tour of London, and exclusive themed gift.