GPSMYCITY - Key Persons
George Heriot's School is an independent primary and secondary educational institution located on Lauriston Place in the historic area of Edinburgh known as the Old Town. Its origins trace back to 1628 when it was established as George Heriot's Hospital, thanks to the generous bequest of George Heriot, a renowned royal goldsmith. The school officially opened its doors in 1659. Today, it operates under the governance of the George Heriot's Trust, a Scottish charitable organization, and serves a student body of over 1600, supported by 155 teaching staff and 80 non-teaching personnel.
The school's principal edifice is a distinctive architectural gem, characterized by its turreted design enclosing a spacious courtyard, all constructed from sandstone. Notably, the building exhibits Renaissance-style architecture, and the foundation stone bears the year 1628 as an enduring testament to its historical origins. Each window on the structure features intricate and unique ornamentation, except for a specific pair of windows situated on the ground floor flanking the now obsolete central turret on the west side of the building. Additionally, a statue of the school's founder, George Heriot, is prominently displayed within a niche on the northern side of the courtyard.
Years after the release of the last Harry Potter book and movie, the cultural phenomenon of Harry Potter doesn't seem to fade away and the fandom continues strong as ever. Although by now Harry Potter has become a household name across the globe, the fact that J.K. Rowling penned some of the world's favorite wizarding stories in Scotland's capital, where she still lives now, makes Edinburgh a true Harry Potter's hometown.
Indeed, as you stroll around the city, you can see the streets and sights that have definitely (or probably) inspired the author, locations where she wrote chapters of the sensational saga, and shops themed on Harry Potter.