How to Find Thomas Riddell’s Grave (Voldemort) in Greyfriars

Greyfriars Kirkyard is a century old graveyard most famous for being the inspiration for a handful of characters in the Harry Potter books. Names Like Tom Riddle, Professor McGonagall, Mad-Eye Moody, and more all have origins from this graveyard. Now, I decided to find the tombstones myself, which was fun until it wasn’t. Even with 4 layers on, I still froze my face and fingers off! You can opt to do a walking tour of the graveyard, but you can do it on your own as well. I wish I had clearer instructions when walking around trying to find the tombstones, so here’s how to find Thomas Riddell’s Grave (Tom Riddle) and more in Greyfriars Cemetery.

What to not do here: walk around in the freezing cold trying to find some tombstones that inspired names of Harry Potter characters. Luckily, I did it so you don’t have to, and now you’ll find the gravestones much faster than I did!

History of Greyfriars Kirkyard

Founded in 1562, Greyfriars Kirkyard served as the burial ground for the city’s residents for centuries. It has graves dating dating back to the Scottish Reformation and beyond. You’ll find elaborate mausoleums belonging to Edinburgh’s elite to humble headstones marking the final resting places of everyday citizens, including the kirkyard’s most famous grave—Greyfriars Bobby. In fact, Bobby is not a human, but a dog! This little terrier faithfully guarded the grave of his owner, John Gray, a nightwatchman for the Edinburgh City Police, for 14 years until he died in 1872.

Besides its extensive history in Edinburgh, it’s also infamous for being one of the most haunted graveyards in the world. Some say they’ve heard a dog barking from the graveyard and even, perhaps, a ghastly dog running about. The source of the haunting, though, is from George Mackenzie’s grave. He was the man responsible for persecuting Presbyterian Covenanters, supporters of the Church of Scotland who refused to subscribe to the Anglican church, in 1677. He imprisoned around a thousand people in terrible conditions, and executed as well. As a result, he garnered the nickname “Bloody Mackenzie” and his mausoleum is one of the most haunted in the world. There have been 300+ reports of people being haunted by him, so much so that the city had to close his mausoleum to prevent more reports.

Take a stroll, if you dare!

Harry Potter and Greyfriars Kirkyard

Nowadays, the graveyard is most famous for being the inspiration for the names of Harry Potter characters. The most famous name being Tom Riddle, which is the name of the villain Voldemort, He Who Shall Not be Named. The villain’s name is similar to the Thomas Riddell’s grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard. You’ll find this information on tourist websites and even in the graveyard itself. However, after I did more digging, apparently it’s all a rumor! Rowling herself mentioned that one of her kids went on a tour, and came back with information that was new to her. In a 1999 Barnes and Nobles interview, she states that she collects name for inspiration, in which she mentioned gravestones. This interview probably sparked some connections with fans who think the resemblance to the Kirkyard’s names is extremely similar.

Whether it’s true or not, there’s no doubt that the names have similarities. Thomas Riddle for Tom Riddle, McGonagall, Sirius Black, and even Moody. It makes sense, though, especially if these names are Scottish and/or English that they found their way into Rowling’s work since she herself is English and Scottish. Now, it’s a fun way to feel close to a groundbreaking piece of fiction, and interact with it tangibly. But which character names can you find in the kirkyard?

Harry Potter Names and the Kirkyard Equivalent

So, here are some of the names you can find on tombstones in the graveyard:

• Tom Riddle — Thomas Riddell
• Harry Potter — Anne and Robert Potter
• Crookshanks — Cruikshanks
• Rufus Scrimgeour — Daniel Scrymgeour
• Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody — Mrs. Elizabeth Moodie
• Sirius Black — Sirius, Francis, Charles (Sr.), and Charles (Jr.) Black
• Professor Minerva McGonagall — William McGonagall

You’ll probably want to see the names for yourself—you’re in luck! I show you how to find them and what they look like so you can find them hassle-free.

How to Find Tombstones That Inspired Harry Potter Characters

Before we start, I just want to note that if you visit this kirkyard, be respectful of the tombstones and the area. This graveyard gets a lot of foot traffic, especially since many are coming to find the tombstones themselves as well. Walk along the designated paths, don’t touch the stones, take your trash with you, watch your step, and help leave the place in tact and tidy.

The locations on Google Maps for Thomas Riddell’s grave is incorrect, as it is placed in the wrong part of the yard. So, I’ll provide images, a map, arrows, and (hopefully) clear instructions to get you to the right place. Here’s a Google My Maps I made with all the locations if you prefer an integrated map:

So with that, let’s start!

Entrances

Greyfriars Kirkyard has two entrances: Main entrance at the junction of four roads and the back gate entrance onto Candlemaker Row. If you search up Greyfriars Kirkyard Edinburgh on Google Maps, it will take you to the main entrance.

I recommend entering via the main entrance, which is directly in front of the church. It’s kind of hidden from the main street, and many people walk down the sloped street on the right of the main entrance. Off of the George IV Bridge Road, you’ll find a small sign pointing to the graveyard. Follow the sign and walk straight into the churchyard. The second entrance is the best entrance to leave from, as it takes you straight onto the street.

1. Anne and Robert Potter

Upon entering, you’ll see the Greyfriars Bobby tombstone first. Walk to the right of Bobby and head straight into the graveyard on the right-handside of the church. The Potter tombstone will be the first Harry Potter tombstone you’ll encounter. It’s identifiable by the cross on top of the tombstone in the larger, main grass patch of the Northern Yard.

2. Cruikshanks

I could not find this grave for the life of me. I walked around in circles for about half an hour before I succumbed to the cold and gave up, haha. Apparently the tombstone with the Cruikshanks name is near the Potter tombstone. See if you can find it! I’d love to know if it’s actually there or if it’s just a rumor.

3. Daniel Scrymgeour

Directly to the left of the Potter tombstone is the tombstone of Daniel Scrymgeour. There’s also another grave in the kirkyard that has the name Scrymgeour as well. See if you can find it!

4. William McGonagall

Now, walk to the left of the Potter tombstone and walk straight towards the Flodden Wall, which takes you to the Southern Yard. Walk through the archway and keep going straight, all the way down until you reach the gated doorway that looks out onto the George Heriot’s school. On the left of the gates mounted on the wall is the tombstone plaque for William McGonagall. It’s the smallest plaque of all the names, so it’s easy to miss!

Hogwarts?

George Heriot’s School is a private primary and secondary school right in the center of urban Edinburgh. Its Edinburgh’s oldest school and famous for its impressive Romanesque architecture. But that’s not what most people know it for. The school has speculations for being the inspiration behind Hogwarts. Both Hogwarts and George Heriot’s have 4 towers and 4 houses; the students even have sort of similar class attire. However, this idea has never been confirmed or denied by the author. Apparently, her children went to this school, but not while she was writing the book, so that statement itself is not enough to say it was inspiration for Hogwarts. Regardless, it is an interesting speculation, especially since its the closest real school that shares similarities with the famous Hogwarts.

5. Sirius Black

Face the direction McGonagall’s plaque’s faces (back to the plaque) and walk straight down. In other words, if you’re facing the academy gate, turn right and walk down. Turn right at the end and walk straight to the corner. The second to last tombstone on the left is the Sirius Black tombstone. Or rather, what is left of it.

Apparently, there used to be a tombstone with the name Sirius Black on it, but it was stolen from the graveyard.

6. Thomas Riddell

Turn right at the corner and the third tombstone on the left is Thomas Riddell’s grave. It will be next to an empty part of the wall on the right side.

7. Francis, Charles (Sr.), and Charles (Jr.) Black

Keep walking straight, to the right of Thomas Riddell’s grave and towards the Flodden Wall archway. The wall curves in a bit, which is where you’ll find the Blacks’ tombstone. The names on the stone are quite faded, so it’s hard to see the names, but it definitely says Black on it!

8. Mrs. Elizabeth Moodie

Walk to the right of the Blacks’ grave and towards the Flodden Wall archway again. Right before the archway, on the left-handside you’ll find Mrs. Moodie’s tombstone.

Exit

Walk through the Flodden Wall archway and in the far left corner of the Northern Yard is the exit to Candlemaker’s Row. You can also exit through the front entrance as well.

What to Do After Exploring Greyfriars Kirkyard

Edniburgh has so many amazing things to do, and luckily, the kirkyard is located in Edinburgh’s Old Town. This area of Edinburgh has lots of historic sites, shopping streets, and cool attractions to visit. Best of all, they’re incredibly close by (within a 10 minute walk) of the kirkyard. So, here are some suggestions after your trip to Greyfriars Kirkyard:

Walk down the Royal Mile:

The Royal Mile is a road that connects two royal residences together, the Edingburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It’s one of the main roads in Edinburgh and is lined with iconic landmarks, historic buildings, hidden closes, and boutique shops and cafes. Explore historic landmarks such as St. Giles’ Cathedral, the Scotch Whisky Experience, and the Real Mary King’s Close.

Visit the National Museum of Scotland:

Right across from the kirkyard is the National Museum of Scotland. It is a museum of Scottish history and culture, technology, art, design, and more. It has dozens of exhibits, a cafe, and beautiful interior architecture that lets all the sunlight in. It’s a gorgeous museum with tons of things to see—you can spend hours just walking around! Best of all, it’s free.

Visit Diagon Alley IRL via Victoria Street:

Victoria Street, with its colorful storefronts and winding cobblestone lanes, is said to be the inspiration behind J.K. Rowling’s Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series. However, she herself has denied this claim, saying that the street came from her imagination. But there’s no doubt both have lots of similarities, from the cobblestone buildings to the way it slopes up the street. Dating back to the 18th century, this historic street has been home to a diverse array of shops, cafes, and residences over the centuries. Pop into the Harry Potter shop on this street, snag some pics, and imagine that you’re a wizard going shopping down Diagon Alley.

Walk Around the University of Edinburgh:

Founded in 1582, the University of Edinburgh is one of the oldest universities in the world. The campus location is in the heart of the city, with imposing facades on its buildings and a huge garden near the campus. You’ll see students walking around at all hours, and there are tons of cheap eateries and pubs surrounding the university as well. Great to see what it would be like to be a student there!

Walk down Grassmarket:

This 14th century square and street actually has a dark past. It once was a bustling marketplace and site of public hangings and executions. You’ll even see some shops to this day have ropes hanging in their windows and be themed after hangings. The street is now a vibrant hub of activity, dotted with eclectic shops, lively pubs, and cozy cafes. On weekends, you’ll also find an artisan market in the Grassmarket square, selling local crafts and goods. It’s also known for its amazing view of the Edinburgh Castle, just look up!

More Harry Potter Sites in Edinburgh

Greyfriars isn’t the only site in Edinburgh that has connections to Harry Potter. So Potterheads, rejoice! There are several important locations and attractions you can visit that helped in the creation of Harry Potter. Some places include:

The Elephant House:

The Elephant House is a cozy café located in Edinburgh’s Old Town, known for its charming ambiance and panoramic views of Edinburgh Castle. What makes this cafe famous to Potterheads is that it is one of the places where J.K. Rowling famously wrote early chapters of the series. The cafe and fans claim that it is the “birthplace of Harry Potter”, but the author was already writing the series before even stepping foot into the cafe. However, the cafe is closed due to a fire in 2021, but set to reopen in spring 2024.

Victoria Street:

As stated in the previous section, the supposed inspiration for Diagon Alley.

The Balmoral:

This century-old hotel saw the completion of the last book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, of the Harry Potter series in 2007. J.K. Rowling stayed in their top suite for half a year to finish writing her book to have a quiet place to work. You cannot enter the suite without a private tour or booking the room (for, like, 2 thousand dollars a night), but you can (probably) visit the door itself, at room 552.

You can find out more about these places in this blog about Harry Potter in Edinburgh. And if you want someone else to lead you around these sites, you bet there are Harry Potter dedicated tours! Two popular tours include the Potter Trail and the PotterTour, both award-winning tours that take you on a journey through Edinburgh’s most wizardy sites. However, the Potter Trail is free (donation-based), while PotterTour is around $35 USD per adult. But you can’t go wrong with either!

Explore More of Edinburgh

Hopefully, you were able to find the Harry Potter tombstones (especially Thomas Riddell’s grave) easily and quickly! I wish I had had a guide as clear and thorough as this one when I went—I nearly froze my fingers off in the 30F degree cold and rain. Now that you’ve discovered the graves that so-called inspired the great characters of Harry Potter, there’s much more to see in Edinburgh! From other Harry Potter sites to historic attractions and more, you’ll find that the city is just as charming as its associations to the wizarding world. I can’t wait for you to experience the city, and fall in love with charming Edinburgh! Happy travels!