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Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Vandals attack shops on street that inspired Harry Potter's Diagon Alley
Vandals have targeted an historic Edinburgh street believed to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series. At least ten shops in Victoria Street were spray painted with graffiti over the weekend. The winding cobbled street is lined with the colourful storefronts of many independent shops and is said to be one of the most photographed in Scotland. At least ten shops in Victoria Street were damaged by vandals ANDREW MCRAE Andrew McRae, a shop owner, said the city was being 'wrecked with impunity' and called for more action to be taken. Among the three businesses he owns on the street is Museum Context, which sells Harry Potter merchandise. • Tourist tax could pay for removing graffiti in Edinburgh He told the BBC: 'I've been doing business in the Old Town for a number of years and I've never seen anything on this kind of scale before with one street being so badly targeted and damaged. Andrew McRae said action needed to be taken to protect the city from vandals 'Victoria Street is one of the most picturesque and beautiful streets in the city if not Scotland and a great deal of time and effort is spent by the independent business owners to keep it in that condition. 'So to come in to work and see this trail of destruction — I was very shocked and it was very demoralising. It seems to me there are no consequences or there is no sense that people will be held accountable for what they are doing.' • Spread of graffiti 'threatens Edinburgh's heritage status' The City of Edinburgh council's transport and environment convener, Stephen Jenkinson, said: 'First and foremost, defacing any building with graffiti is a criminal offence and I'd encourage anyone with any information on the culprits to contact the police. 'This type of mindless behaviour damages the local environment for everyone, whether they be residents or visitors, and wastes time and money on removing it. Daniel Radcliffe and Robbie Coltrane in Diagon Alley in a scene from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Victoria Street has been cited as an inspiration for the alley 'We've invested in a dedicated graffiti team who will be happy to offer advice to private owners on how best to deal with it and, if requested, to remove it — on a cost recovery basis.' Police Scotland said it was investigating the vandalism.
The National
5 days ago
- The National
Edinburgh Victoria Street targeted by vandals as police investigate
At least 10 shops on Victoria Street in Edinburgh's Old Town had graffiti tags sprayed on their windows, stone walls and doors over the weekend. Police Scotland said it had received a report of the vandalism and inquiries were ongoing. Victoria Street is popular among tourists and influencers for its colourful buildings and cobblestone pavement. (Image: Getty Images) It is often cited as an inspiration for the fictional Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series. Shopkeepers have said that the street, which links George IV bridge and the Grassmarket, has been "wrecked" after the "absolutely mindless" vandalism. Andrew McRae, who owns three shops on Victoria Street, told BBC News: "I've been doing business in the Old Town for a number of years and I've never seen anything on this kind of scale before with one street being so badly targeted and damaged. READ MORE: Dog owners warned of 'toxic bacteria' after Scotland heatwave "Victoria Street is one of the most picturesque and beautiful streets in the city if not Scotland and a great deal of time and effort is spent by the independent business owners to keep it in that condition. "So to come in to work and see this trail of destruction – I was very shocked and it was very demoralising." Another shop owner, John Bowman, told the broadcaster: "I was annoyed like everyone else would be when I saw the graffiti. I've had to buy paint to cover it up as it won't clean off. "It's not good for tourism. The authorities should do something about it but they won't." Part of the graffiti attack at the weekend saw the 900-year-old St Giles' Cathedral targeted as well as other monuments and stone buildings in the Old Town, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Removing graffiti from historical buildings is a difficult task and can require specialist equipment and knowledge to do so without damaging the building. READ MORE: Warning not to swim in two Fife beaches due to pollution Stephen Jenkinson, City of Edinburgh Council's environment convener, said: "First and foremost, defacing any building with graffiti is a criminal offence and I'd encourage anyone with any information on the culprits to contact the police. "This type of mindless behaviour damages the local environment for everyone, whether they be residents or visitors, and wastes time and money on removing it. "We've invested in a dedicated graffiti team who will be happy to offer advice to private owners on how best to deal with it and, if requested, to remove it (on a cost recovery basis)."
Scottish Sun
12-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Louts target series of shops on one of Scotland's most historic streets
Street with links to Harry Potter is said to be arguably the most photographed in country VANDAL ATTACKS Louts target series of shops on one of Scotland's most historic streets Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) YOBS targeted a series of businesses in one of Scotland's most historic streets during a mindless vandalism spree. The graffiti louts sprayed premises in Edinburgh's historic Victoria Street with tags during the rampage overnight. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Vandalised shops in Edinburgh's Victoria Street Credit: Andrew McRae 5 Vandalised shops in Edinburgh's Victoria Street Credit: Andrew McRae 5 Aerial view of the famous Victoria Street in the Old Town of Edinburgh, Scotland. Credit: Getty 5 Andrew McRae has previously hit out at graffiti blighting Edinburgh city centre Credit: Andrew Barr Shops affected include The Whisky Shop, Chalmers Tweed & Cashmere, Isle of Skye Candles, Walker Slater Ladieswear, Swish and Cuttea Sark. Food businesses Oink and Howies were also targeted. Today business leaders blasted the mindless attacks. Independent retailer and cafe owner Andrew McRae, who is the policy chair at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "Edinburgh's very own 'Diagon Alley' has been attacked overnight on Friday with at least nine independent businesses affected. "Absolutely shocked this morning to see vandalism on this scale targeting a key part of our World Heritage Site and arguably Scotland's most photographed street. "The tags are all the same referring to Tarbet YCB and YT - football related perhaps - so I hope Police Scotland will not find it hard to catch the culprits, if they decide to allocate the necessary resources." Mr McRae said the incident highlighted "ongoing antisocial behaviour" that is impacting businesses and residents across the city centre. He added: "For example during the week it was reported that before they had even opened the new public toilets on Middle Meadow Walk had been covered in graffiti. "Businesses will act fast to clean up and repair the mess, but what a waste of time and hard earned money." Victoria Street is a winding cobbled lane that leads down to the city's Grassmarket. Our famous shopping street in major Scots city has turned into a disaster It is known for its vibrant, colourful buildings and independent shops, making it a popular tourist destination. And it is also known for its association with the Harry Potter series, with some believing it inspired the magical Diagon Alley - fictional shopping district in the book series. Police Scotland was contacted for comment.
Daily Record
08-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Ayrshire businessman and former Kilmarnock Standard photographer announced as new Federation of Small Businesses chair
Guy Hinks is an award-winning photographer and former solicitor. A former Kilmarnock Standard photographer has been appointed as the new chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Guy Hinks is an award-winning photographer who previously worked for the Kilmarnock Standard as well as being a former solicitor. He succeeds independent retailer Andrew McRae who is stepping down after seven years. Guy has been a member of FSB's Scotland Policy Unit since 2021, helping inform its support for small businesses through the Covid pandemic and its aftermath. He said: 'Small and micro businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, yet they continue to face significant challenges. 'Scotland should be a place they can not only survive but thrive. It is an honour to lead FSB's campaigning to help make sure that is the case. 'In the role, I will aim to build on the formidable work of my predecessor Andrew McRae, championing Scotland's small businesses, and protecting and promoting their interests. 'While I will be representing businesses across the country I am proud to be from Ayrshire and I will take particular pleasure in banging the drum for the area's vibrant and supportive small business community.' FSB Policy and Advocacy Chair, Tina McKenzie, said: 'Congratulations to Guy on his new appointment. My thanks to outgoing chair Andrew McRae for flying the flag for small businesses in Scotland over the past seven years.' Departing chair Andrew McRae added: 'Leading FSB's campaign work over the last seven years has been eventful to say the least. The Covid pandemic and its immediate aftermath were some of the most turbulent times in living memory to be running an independent business. 'I would like to take this chance to pay tribute to the work of the wider FSB team who provided magnificent support to our members throughout the crisis. 'Scotland's small businesses continue to face significant challenges, but we are a creative, dynamic and resilient bunch. 'It has been a privilege to represent Scotland's small business community for so long, and I know we will find a worthy champion in my successor Guy Hinks.' Guy worked in civil and criminal law in the west of Scotland before switching careers in 2008 to establish his own award-winning photography business.
