Visiting Edinburgh again, the Elephant Café was the place I had to visit once more. Even it was the end of the June, the weather met the stereotypes; it was rainy and cold and nothing seemed like better idea than sitting down in the cosy café with large cup of hot tea and enjoy the best view over historic town from the dry and warm seats.
But for Harry Potter fans, Elephant Café isn't just any café, but the birthplace of J. K. Rowling's excellent books. There the single mother could spend hours and hours with her baby, writing her book and absorbing the atmosphere of the 14th century architecture which surrounds the magnificent castle built on the hill. It isn't hard to imagine this castle to have inspired Rowling in her creation of Hogwarts, and the café must be an outstanding place to create the characters as you can sit hours watching people; their features and motions.
But the café itself is an inspiration as well. Following the name of the café, there are elephants in all sizes and shapes placed around in on tables, windowsills and even walls, many of which are in sale. These African and Indian influences may not have anything to do with British wizarding world, but the atmosphere and lightning are perfect and it is admirable to see that this proud little café has not wanted to change with the fame. Only a piece of wall is filled with press cuttings of Harry Potter and its author but the rest of the area is Potter-free, you just have to go with the imagination. And you can see that many are following Rowling's example as the regular tapping of laptop from one table and the scratching of a pen on notebook from another tell of inspiration being in work. But writing isn't all you can do here. From opening to closing the large tables are occupied by students on their breaks, families gathering together, old friends changing news and people deep in their newspapers forgetting to drink their coffee.
For Edinburgh visitors the Elephant café is highly recommended place to visit. Even if you couldn't care less about Harry Potter, it is an outstanding spot to enjoy town's architectural wonders safe from the Scottish weather. Situated in 21 George IV Bridge, it is very accessible in the middle of the tourist attractions of the Old Tow. And advertised as a gourmet coffee and tea shop it indeed offers large supply of delicious coffees and teas, as well as a large supply of pastry's and lunch options.
