5 beautiful Scottish lochs you didn't know were featured in the Harry Potter films

The Harry Potter film series showed off some of Britain’s most beautiful scenery, from Malham Cove in Yorkshire to the Seven Sisters Country Park in Sussex, but there are some hidden filming locations even the biggest fans don’t know about.

After lockdown had us watching the fantasy series all over again, we thought we’d look at the picturesque lochs in Scotland that you can visit on a staycation this summer – and they all featured in the Harry Potter films.

CarMoney revealed the five secret lochs that starred in the movies. These hidden gems are perfect for a UK break thanks to their Hollywood connections and amazing views.

And you can experience Scotland's picturesque lochs with Country Living on our exclusive trips this year and next. You could sail Scotland on a luxury yacht-style cruise as you take in Loch Ness and Loch Lochy, or make it a steam adventure, just like Harry and his friends, as you ride the Jacobite train past Loch Shiel.

BROWSE SCOTTISH ESCAPES FROM CL

This is where the famous trio (Harry, Ron and Hermione) escape from the wizarding bank of Gringotts on the back of a dragon after taking the Cup of Helga Hufflepuff. The three of them are forced to leap off the dragon in the film, landing into this ice-cold loch.

VISIT ETIVE DURING A STOP IN OBAN ON CL'S ECO-LUXE CRUISE

In the Harry Potter films, the Great Lake is portrayed by Loch Shiel and is known as the Black Lake. Located in the Scottish Highlands, the Glenfinnan Viaduct is a railway viaduct that overlooks the Glenfinnan Monument and the waters of Loch Shiel. The Harry Potter films made this one of the world's most famous pieces of railway infrastructure.

RIDE PAST LOCH SHIEL ACROSS THE VIADUCT WITH CL

This large freshwater loch can be located east of the coastal village of Mallaig. It is the deepest freshwater body of water in the British Isles. It is also one of the largest lochs in Scotland. This loch was one of the many lochs used for shots of Hogwarts Lake. Loch Morar was used primarily for close-up scenes throughout the movies.

BROWSE PLACES TO STAY IN MORAR

Loch Arkaig is a 12-mile long freshwater loch located north of Fort William. Fancy a trip to Dumbledore’s final resting place? The director of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 decided to blend Loch Arkaig and Loch Eilt together to fit his artistic vision better for Dumbledore’s resting place.

BROWSE PLACES TO STAY IN FORT WILLIAM

Loch Eilt is also the sad setting where Harry and the gang find Hagrid skimming stones over the water following the trial of his beloved Buckbeak, in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

RIDE PAST EILT ON THE JACOBITE TRAIN