For years, Harry Potter tours have been a staple of Edinburgh’s tourism scene, drawing countless fans to the cobbled streets and cozy cafes where author J.K. Rowling famously penned parts of the globally beloved series. But Fraser Horn, founder of Edinburgh Street Historians, says the time has come to let the magic go—and make room for something more meaningful.
In an exclusive essay originally shared with PinkNews, Horn revealed his decision to permanently retire the popular Harry Potter-themed walking tours. Starting this July, they will be replaced by LGBTQ+ history tours that delve into Edinburgh’s queer past, offering stories of resilience, activism, and community.
A Difficult but Necessary Decision
“This decision was not made lightly,” Horn wrote. “Although I wanted out of Potter ever since J.K. Rowling’s essay in 2020, the simple fact of the matter is that the story is so deeply ingrained in the Edinburgh tourism industry that it feels almost impossible to dislodge.”
Horn, who began guiding tours in 2019 and launched his independent venture Street Historians in February, explained the profound impact the Harry Potter books once had on him.
“I was about 11 when I first got into Harry Potter. The kid looked a lot like me at the time,” he said. “It was an instant classic of a kids’ book. But we all grew up after the series ended—some of us into decent people, others into cartoon villainy.”
The final decision to drop Potter came after the success of his LGBTQ+ history tour and Rowling’s recent controversial political activity. The author publicly celebrated a U.K. Supreme Court ruling criticized for its impact on trans rights, an action that Horn says made the decision clear.
“I was motivated to drop Potter for Pride Month because of the recent Supreme Court decision which will make our trans siblings unsafe,” he wrote. “Rowling has confirmed she donated money to the organization that advocated for the court decision and celebrated with a cigar picture on a boat, which made me want to drop Potter even more.”
From Fantasy to Fact: Embracing LGBTQ+ History
Horn’s new focus is the LGBTQ+ history walking tour, which runs every Friday at 6 p.m. It explores overlooked narratives, from medical innovators to Cold War spies to the impact of the AIDS crisis and LGBTQ+ activism in reshaping modern Scottish society.
“It is essential stuff,” Horn said. “Guests have been making friends, and these are the kind of life-long connections from which community is made.”
The decision has largely been met with overwhelming positivity. “People who have come on the LGBTQ+ tour love having an event which is a bit different from the standard fare, both in terms of walking tours and queer events,” he noted.
However, Horn acknowledged that some in the community were skeptical. “Some thought I was doing it for the wrong reason: rainbow capitalism, or purely to make money for Pride before switching back to Potter tours,” he said. “It’s fair that the community might expect this sort of thing—companies change very quickly.”
Horn pointed to Barclays Bank as an example. “They have a very proud LGBTQ+ section,” he said, “then I read how they are banning trans people from using the toilets of their gender, based on the court ruling.”
To be clear, Horn emphasized: “Potter will not be coming back to the Street Historians roster.”
Reclaiming History and Telling New Stories
While Harry Potter continues to be a major tourist draw—especially with an HBO Max reboot in production—Horn is more focused on amplifying historically marginalized voices.
“We have been looking for more interesting stories to tell, for example, on forgotten women,” he said. “Even with significant economic considerations, it seems necessary for me to drop Potter.”
Horn likens the shift in priorities to the moral themes found in many children’s books. “Some may be upset, but I guess that’s the lesson I took from the sort of books I read growing up,” he said. “We have to take a stand eventually or nothing will ever change.”
The Edinburgh Street Historians will continue to offer pay-what-you-want walking tours, including their popular Old Town tour and the new LGBTQ+ history experience. Horn’s collaboration with LGBT Health and Wellbeing, a Scottish charity, has also deepened his commitment to using his platform to support queer communities.
Street Historians aims to be more than just another tour company. “We’re fun, different, and the best way to see Edinburgh, in my view,” Horn said.
Making Edinburgh Queerer, One Step at a Time
Speaking to Gayety, the tour guide mentioned “I was uncomfortable platforming her in my city.”
Horn’s move reflects a broader cultural shift among younger generations of travelers and LGBTQ+ allies seeking authentic, inclusive experiences that don’t gloss over real issues.
With growing awareness around rainbow capitalism and the need for trans-inclusive advocacy, Horn believes walking tours like his can play a small but meaningful role in how cities confront the past—and create space for the future.
“If any of those tourists are queer and want a tour that’s more important, they can book the LGBTQ+ one,” he said simply.
For more information or to book a tour, visit Street Historians.
