Highlands
The West-Highlands and the melancholic ambience lying over the numerous Lochs, Glens and Bens will not leave anyone unaffected even without the Harry Potter references. What do you get when you add your desire of finally going to Hogwarts to a little nostalgia? Euphoria! Sounds like one of Prof. Slughorn's potions... Starting at Loch Etive you will visit Hagrid's hut and the place where Harry fought the Hungarian Horntail before getting some rest at Fort William, which will be your base for a few days. Loch Arkaig is ok but you should rather focus on Loch Shiel and Loch Eilt. Take a ride on the Hogwarts Express, maybe you have some Bertie Bott's All Flavour Beans left.
Loch Etive
"That traitorous little bleeder."
After narrowly escaping from Xenophilus Lovegood's, Harry, Ron and Hermione apparate to Loch Etive. Unfortunately they are welcomed by half a dozen Snatchers who found Hermiones scarf wrapped around a tree - a hint Hermione left for Ron who had left them at this very place after a dispute.
Glen Coe
"Search the skies if you must, Minister, meanwhile I'd like a nice cup of tea, or a large brandy"
Near the Clachaig Inn you can find the place, where Hagrid's hut had been from the third movie on. Buckbeak's escape, Hermione's tremendous punch in Malfoy's face or Lupin talking to Harry (on a small model of a bridge that was transported to the hill) - it was all filmed here. At the beginning of scene two you can see small parts of a forest on the opposite hill. This, next to the lake you see in scene one, will help you find the right spot.
Loch Shiel
"Harry Potter has to go into the lake and find his Wheezy."
The Black Lake was shown in every movie and will increase your Hogwarts nostalgia to a nearly unbearable level. Home to the giant squid and location of the second task in the Triwizard Tournament, the first years take boats across the lake to get into Hogwarts for the first time. In some scenes the castle is placed at the shore on the right. Behind you you can see the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Loch Eilt
"Hogwarts should be Dumbledore's final resting place."
You can see Loch Eilt in several of the Hogwarts Express shots. The most famous scene at Loch Eilt is Voldemort gaining possession of the Elderwand by breaking into Dumbledore's grave. In this scene as in many others, the small iconic island was edited into another lake, mostly Loch Shiel or Loch Arkaig.
Jacobite Steam Train
"Anything from the trolley dears?"
You always wanted to take a ride in the Hogwarts Express and enjoy the Highland scenery while drinking a butterbeer? Well, here you go. Starting in Fort William the Jacobite Steam Train takes you on a 2h journey to Mallaig and back. You can see familiar places like Loch Shiel, Loch Morar or Loch Eilt , drive by the sea and not only see, but cross the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. The price is around 38 pounds, or 7 Galleons, 10 Sickles and 20 Knuts.
Isle of Skye
You have made it all the way to Fort William -now you're just one apparition away from the Isle of Skye. Though no Harry Potter scenes were filmed here, I highly recommend visiting the island that shows all of Scotlands beauty in one place. Famous sights like the Old Man Of Storr, Neist Point, the Fairy Pools or Quiraing will make you want to come back to discover the island more thoroughly. For the whiskey lovers: The Taliskey Destillery is to be found on Isle of Skye. Maybe you'd fancy a drink at Talisker Bay?
