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JK Rowling

Nominations are now open for the prestigious 2023 Edinburgh Award - they close on October 2.

Nominations invited for 2023 Edinburgh Award

Max Roe with first edition copies of Harry Potter books his mum got him when he was young - one signed by JK Rowling could be worth £10,000.

Harry Potter fan’s old copy of second book could be worth £10,000

Take a look through our picture gallery to see nine Edinburgh pubs with literary connections.

In pictures: 9 Edinburgh pubs that inspired authors

The procession on the Royal Mile on Wednesday

Do we really need yet another royal pantomime? - Vladimir McTavish

Zahid (inset) and Shabana Chaudhry have announced that The Harvest Garden will close its doors in August

End of an era as florist announces "heart-wrenching" closure after 40 years

Sam Heughan, who is know to millions thanks to his role as highland warrior Jamie Fraser in Outlander, moved to Edinburgh as a young boy so his mother could enrol at Edinburgh College of Art. He recalled in his recent memoir how big a change it was from his New Galloway birthplace, writing: “After years of living in a quiet community, my mother, my brother and I packed our belongings for what felt like a whole new world. Swapping the stable and the castle ruins for a suburban street in Edinburgh, we set about settling in for this new chapter in our lives.” The 12-year-old Heughan attended James Gillespie's High School, which he recalls as having “very strong on rules and discipline”.

15 Edinburgh celebrities and the school they went to

The best Edinburgher of all time has been decided by our readers

The best Edinburgher of all time, chosen by our readers

What was the 'mermaid or fish' optical illusion and why it went viral?

Comedy giant Ronnie Corbett first shot to fame on the Frost Report in the 1960s when he had to ad lib for several minutes with no script. He's best known for his appearances with Ronnie Barker in The Two Ronnies and the witty monologues at the end of each programme. Photo BBC/Plum Pictures: Guy Levy

150 faces of Edinburgh from Corbett to Heughan

We are listing the 150 most influential and famous faces from Edinburgh, in pictures.

15 of the most famous faces from our city, in pictures

Just one of the many famous faces from Edinburgh is Jennifer Dodds MBE. The Scottish curler was born in Edinburgh, and has gone on to become an Olympic champion, winning gold at the 2022 Winter games in Beijing.

15 of the most famous people from Edinburgh

Iain Glen is one of Edinburgh's greatest acting exports. Born in the Capital, he went to Edinburgh Academy before studying acting in London. An accomplished theatre actor, Glen is best known for playing Jorah Mormont in Game of Thrones, Dr Alexander Isaacs in the Resident Evil franchise, and recently as Magnus MacMillan in The Rig.

15 of the most famous faces from our city, in pictures

Harry Potter author and Edinburgh resident JK Rowling, who added £30 million to her personal fortune last year, is worth a staggering £850 million, making her the 12th richest person in Scotland.

16 of the richest people in Edinburgh

JK Rowling has backed Joanna Cherry after her Edinburgh Fringe show at the Stand Comedy Club was cancelled thanks to a staff boycott.

MP says she was 'cancelled' by Edinburgh venue over gender views

A bright sunny day for shopping on 20 April 2000.

25 photos of Edinburgh in Y2K

Even though the location of Hogwarts has never been officially determined, many people believe that J.K. Rowling based the magical school on George Heriot's School in the city centre.

Magical locations with Harry Potter links in city
Fans of Harry Potter have been flocking to Edinburgh in recent years to find any connection they can to the famous young wizard.

You didn’t know that the author of the beloved Harry Potter novels studied in Edinburgh? In 1996, J.K. Rowling completed a teacher training course at Moray House but continued working on her novel in her spare time. In fact, Rowling wrote parts of the first Harry Potter book in cafes in Edinburgh. One record-breaking film franchise later, she is now one of the world’s wealthiest and best known authors.

JK Rowling worries for her family’s safety after receiving ‘threats’

Daniel Radcliffe expecting first child with long-term partner Erin Darke

Daniel Radcliffe expecting first child with long-term partner Erin Darke

JK Rowling has revealed she was bullied out of a Harry Potter forum. (Picture: by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

JK Rowling says she was bullied out of a chatroom by Harry Potter fans

The Royal Mint has launched a new coin featuring Albus Dumbledore and King Charles as part of a new Harry Potter themed collection. The monarch’s likeness features on the “heads” of the special 50p, while the Hogwarts headmaster features on the other side.

Dumbledore joins King Charles on new 50p coin from Royal Mint

Author JK Rowling with pupils from Millfield Preparatory School in 1999

Librarian discovers forgotten Harry Potter books signed by JK Rowling

Kirsty Wark has interviewed First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for the new BBC Scotland series The Women Who Changed Modern Scotland. Picture: Two Rivers Media/BBC

Kirsty Wark: Toxic atmosphere on social media is forcing women out of politics

The Sunday Times tax list revealed on Friday that 100 wealthy people or families contributed nearly £5.2 billion in tax in the UK last year.

Top 20 taxpayers in UK revealed - including JK Rowling

India Willoughby and JK Rowling (Getty Images)

‘I’m more of a woman than JK Rowling’: India Willoughby blasts author

Joanne Glass was last seen in Edinburgh on Sunday 22 January

Police appeal for missing woman in the Capital

JK Rowling has launched a 'women-only' sexual violence support service in Edinburgh called Beira's Place

JK Rowling launches 'woman-only' sexual violence service in Edinburgh

The leather-bound special 15th anniversary edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone - published exclusively for the competition in 2012.

‘Rarest’ Harry Potter book ever seen could fetch £10,000 at auction

The Harry Potter book, bound in red leather and signed by JK Rowling herself, was never released on general sale and could deliver a magical result when it’s auctioned off in December

Men and women in the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry, taking part in the Loony Dook for charity on 1 of January 1993.

Edinburgh in 1993 - in pictures

Tom Felton has said he feels “no-one has single-handedly done more for bringing joy to so many different generations” than Harry Potter author JK Rowling.

Tom Felton praises JK Rowling ahead of city event

Nicola Sturgeon has responded to claims by JK Rowling that she is a 'destroyer of women's rights' (PA/ JK Rowling Twitter)

Nicola Sturgeon reacts to JK Rowling t-shirt

JK Rowling has posted a photo of herself wearing a T-shirt which says Nicola Sturgeon is a 'destroyer' of women's rights (Lisa Ferguson/ JK Rowling Twitter)

JK Rowling wears T-shirt calling FM 'Destroyer of Women's Rights'

Author Dame Hilary Mantel, best known for the Wolf Hall trilogy, has died aged 70, HarperCollins has announced.

Tributes to Hilary Mantel following death at 70

JK Rowling's detective novels, such as The Ink Black Heart, written under the pen name Robert Galbraith, show she is a great crime writer (Picture: John Phillips/Getty Images)

Christie and McDermid may be 'Queens of Crime', but Rowling is the Empress

Writer, rapper and political activist Darren McGarvey was speaking at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Picture: John Devlin

Award-winning writer Darren McGarvey credits JK Rowling for kickstarting career

Nick Barley is director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Picture: Robin Mair

Book festival chief says event is a form of defiance’ amid threats to writers

JK Rowling has written seven Harry Potter books sold more than 500 million books worldwide. Photo by Graeme Robertson/Getty Images

Edinburgh resident sells first edition Harry Potter book for £3,750

The first of the 115 houses from Stewart Milne have just been released for sale and a range of three, four, five and six bedroom homes are available . A further 28 homes are being built which have been allocated for affordable housing in partnership with Midlothian Council.

Shortage of GP services - your views online

The author has been trending on Twitter after highlighting the threatening tweet (file image). Picture: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images.

Threatening tweet aimed at JK Rowling blasted as 'dangerous' and appallling'

JK Rowling's first Harry Potter book was rejected by several publishers (Picture: Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)

JK Rowling’s perseverance on Harry Potter still inspires 25 years on

A signed proof copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: Picture: Cathal McNaughton/PA Wire

Harry Potter turns 25: How JK Rowling’s global literary phenomenon was born

Vladimir Putin has cited Edinburgh author JK Rowling as an example of cancel culture in the West.

Putin cites JK Rowling trans controversy as proof West likes to ‘cancel’ people

Head of rare books Helen Vincent with the National Library's copy of the Gutenberg Bible, which is going on display in its new Treasures gallery. Picture: Neil Hanna

Robert Burns, Bonnie Prince Charlie and JK Rowling treasures brought together

Edinburgh City FC is to to fundraise for JK Rowling’s charity Ukraine appeal.

Edinburgh City to raise funds for Ukraine appeal

Emma Watson appeared to make a subtle dig towards JK Rowling (Photo: BBC)

Emma Watson ‘throws shade’ at JK Rowling at Baftas after transgender row

The First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon has said she ‘fundamentally disagrees’ with the author JK Rowling who said the new gender recognition process reform “will harm the most vulnerable in society”.

Nicola Sturgeon 'fundamentally disagrees' with JK Rowling GRA tweet

Harry Potter books signed by JK Rowling are set to fetch thousands at auction

Edinburgh woman's Harry Potter books set to fetch thousands at auction

JK Rowling has launched an appeal to send aid to the children of Ukraine. Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

War in Ukraine: JK Rowling launches appeal to aid orphans

The new look Dropkick Murphy's pub has already been a big hit with regulars and newcomers

Edinburgh pub reopens following fire

Glenfinnan Viaduct

Explore Scotland's most famous film and TV locations

A tweet posted by trans activists targeting JK Rowling will not be treated as criminal, Police Scotland have said.

Police take no action over tweet that revealed JK Rowling’s home

Harry Potter author JK Rowling.

Streeting: Don’t shut down JK Rowling

Jon Stewart says comments he made about the Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone film were meant to be “light-hearted” and he was not accusing author JK Rowling of antisemitism.

Jon Stewart says he did not accuse JK Rowling of antisemitism

Former US talk show host Jon Stewart has hit out at JK Rowling for the “anti-Semitic” imagery used in the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Jon Stewart says he did not accuse JK Rowling of antisemitism

The Boswells School in Chelmsford, Essex, that named a house after JK Rowling has dropped the title in light of the Harry Potter author's "comments and viewpoints surrounding trans people"

School drops JK Rowling house name amid controversy over gender identity remarks

Quidditch organisations have announced that they will be changing the name of the sport. Picture: Creative Commons

Quidditch leagues to change name of sport - here's why