Brand new Scottish attraction offers magical experience Harry Potter fans will love
A magical new attraction opens next Friday, June 6, bringing Harry Potter-style enchantment.
A magical new attraction is set to enchant Scottish Harry Potter fans this summer. The Bubbling Toad is nestled within the lush surroundings of Vogrie Country Park in Midlothian, just a short drive from Edinburgh.
The event will open its doors next Friday, June 6, transforming the once-forgotten first floor of Vogrie House into a world where 'stories shimmer, potions bubble, and magic lingers in the air.'
The Bubbling Toad has been created by Gayanne Potter - a voiceover artist who claims ScotRail's new 'Iona' AI announcer is using her voice data - and her family, and is a lovingly handcrafted space born from months of creativity and community spirit.
What was once a neglected wing of the stunning estate has been reborn as an immersive escape, sparkling with twinkling fairy lights, enchanted classrooms, and hidden treasures at every turn, Glasgow Live reports.
Offering a spellbinding experience for all ages, the attraction features potion classes, fairy trails, and handmade crafts beneath a glowing tree, alongside magical stories told in a starlit library.
Families with kids and adults alike will find something to delight in, with a Victorian-themed escape room launching alongside the opening, set to change themes every few months.
The festive season promises a special transformation too, turning The Fairy Hollow into an Elf's workshop and the escape room into Santa's Grotto.
The Bubbling Toad is designed to be welcoming and adaptable, offering quiet sessions across all experiences to ensure accessibility.
Visitors can look forward to a wide range of activities, including:
Potion classes where spells swirl and cauldrons bubble
Fairy, woodland, and dragon-themed parties plus seasonal celebrations
Creative workshops for all ages, from crafting to stargazing
Relaxing spaces like the enchanted Fairy Hollow and the dreamy Lunar Library
Adult craft and design evenings
Exclusive hires of the Lunar Library for fortune-telling nights and private events
The story behind The Bubbling Toad is one of transformation. When the council offered Gayanne and her family the first floor of Vogrie House, they saw not decay but opportunity.
The family revealed that on that first cold January morning, they arrived armed with paintbrushes, old furniture, storm-felled branches, and a head full of ideas. The result is a unique, handcrafted space where artistry, storytelling, and 'a little bit of mischief' come together in perfect harmony.
Gayanne Potter, founder and creative director of The Bubbling Toad, said ahead of the grand opening: 'I wanted to create a space that felt magical and enchanting, somewhere families could enjoy a slower pace for a while and reconnect through different imaginative activities.
"Take time away from screens, just be swept up in the wonder we've created in the different rooms. Magic has no age limit and The Bubbling Toad doesn't either, it's for everyone.'
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
In other magical news, the highly anticipated Harry Potter television series has announced its leading cast.
Warner Bros and HBO confirmed that young Scottish actor Dominic McLaughlin will take on the iconic role of Harry Potter, joined by Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
The series is expected to debut on HBO and HBO Max in 2026, promising to bring fresh life to the beloved wizarding world.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edinburgh Live
38 minutes ago
- Edinburgh Live
The creepy Edinburgh graveyard where the real Harry Potter characters are buried
Every Edinburgh local worth their salt has visited the world famous Greyfriars Kirkyard. Nestled in the heart of the city's beautiful Old Town, the church, Greyfriars Kirk, was founded in 1620 as the first church to be built in post-reformation Scotland. Burials in the graveyard surrounding the church have been taking place since the 16th century, resulting in it being the final resting place of a number of notable Edinburgh residents. READ MORE - Midlothian woman transforms mansion into a magical family escape READ MORE - Police thwart alleged terror attack plan on King Charles' guards Amongst the heavily decorated tombstones and mausoleums belonging to lords, scholars and architects, lie resting places of those whose names will most certainly ring bells. It is in this famed graveyard that you will find Tom Riddell, William McGonagall and a certain Robert Potter- the inspiration for some of JK Rowling's most famous Harry Potter characters. Rumour has it that the names emblazoned on various headstones in the graveyard inspired J.K. Rowling to create characters of similar names in the wizarding world of Harry Potter. It is also believed that Hogwarts was based on the neighbouring George Heriot's School, and another iconic Edinburgh location, Victoria Street, gave her the idea for Diagon Alley. Rowling wrote much of the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone book sitting in The Elephant House café, which has sweeping views across Greyfriars Kirkyard. She has previously acknowledged her connection to Edinburgh stating: "Edinburgh is very much home for me and is the place where Harry evolved over seven books and many, many hours of writing in its cafés." Thomas Riddell was a general who died on 24 November 1806 at the age of 72. It is commonly speculated that Thomas' name could have inspired the character of Lord Voldemort and his real name of Tom Marvolo Riddle. The site is so popular with Harry Potter fans flocking it have its own location marker on Google Maps. In July 2020, the City of Edinburgh Council even warned of 'significant erosion' around Riddell's grave. William McGonagall was unfortunately known as one of the worst poets in Scotland, one of his most famous works being that of 'The Tay Bridge Disaster' which is based on a horrific rail crash in Dundee, his hometown. McGonagall also worked as a weaver, struggling to make much money from his poetry. He was buried in an unmarked grave, although an inscribed slab was later installed in 1999. It is thought that his name inspired that of Professor Minerva McGonagall. Greyfriars Kirkyard also features a grave belonging to Mrs Elizabeth Moodie, a name which may have inspired the fictional character Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody. Look carefully and you'll also spot the names of Scrymgeour (which could have influenced the character of Rufus Scrimgeour), Cruikshanks (a slightly different spelling to Hermione Granger's cat, Crookshanks) a family of Potters and a family with the name Black. In addition, the entire Kirkyard is rumoured to have been the inspiration behind the fictional resting place of Harry Potter's parents, Lily and James, in Godric's Hollow. If you'd like to explore the Greyfriars Kirkyard for yourself, it is open 24 hours a day, and with many unofficial city-based Harry Potter tours, you'll be sure to spot the resting places of those who likely served as inspiration for J.K. Rowling. However, if you have no current plans to visit the city of Edinburgh, you can do so with a virtual tour via the Greyfriars website.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Tragic true story of 'the other Harry Potter' whose life changed forever after a catastrophic injury on set
A stunt double for Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe has opened up about the horrific injury he sustained on set 16 years ago which left him paralysed from the neck down. At 25 years old, David Holmes was working on film sets after becoming a trained gymnast; having overcome years of childhood bullying to live out his dream. He was at the height of his career and working on one of the biggest film franchises in the world when his life changed in an instant following an on-set accident. David, now 44, from Romford, was rehearsing a fight scene for The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 film in 2009 when he fell and plummeted to the ground, hearing the sound of his own neck snapping as he reached the ground. Medics rushed around him but the damage had already been done, with David left paralysed from the chest down bar some limited movements in his arms and hands. Now he has detailed his dismay at the horrendous injury that wrecked his career, calling it 'the gift that keeps on taking'. Despite the catastrophic consequences of his injuries he is ever the optimist, and said he believes that being alive in itself is a 'gift'. Appearing as a guests on Mamamia's No Filter podcast, he opened up about his gratitude for the Harry Potter franchise and how the injury it left him with has changed his outlook on life. David was first cast as the 'second Harry' when he was just 17-years-old, his small frame making him the ideal stunt man for 11-year-old Daniel Radcliffe. Throughout his nearly decade-long tenure working on the iconic film set, he was more than just a second Harry. 'I'm the Hermione when the troll smashes through the bathroom doors. I'm the Ron sitting on the back of the horses he gets hit with on the chest piece. I'm the Malfoy in the Quidditch match, flying off of his broom,' he recalled. But his fearless streak would soon to come to end. During a routine stunt filming The Deathly Hallows: Part 1, the wire attaching him to a harness and pulley system, suddenly snapped, causing David to plummet to the ground. He was paralysed instantly. He was initially taken to A&E at Watford General Hospital but transferred to a specialist spinal injury centre when the extent of his injuries became apparent. He spent several months in hospital and has since undergone years of treatment and surgeries. 'My spinal cord separated at the C 67 vertebrae just at the bottom of your at the bottom of your neck before your thorax starts,' he said. He recalled how the accident 16 years ago made him 'vulnerable' and 'needy' after being 'stripped back' to how he was as a toddler. 'People needed to feed me, people needed to dress me, wash me, you name it, and then gruelling rehabilitation,' he remembered in painstaking detail. Several cast members remained by his side, visiting David in hospital and showing their support. 'They were young to have to see me like that, with wires in me and stuff hanging out my nose,' he said in the podcast. 'For me being brave for them on camera all those years... they got the opportunity to flip that and be brave for me.' David and Daniel's bond is one that still endures today, with the two having collaborated in filming a documentary on the former stunt master titled The Boy Who Lived. In 2020, the pair also recorded a podcast series, Cunning Stunts, about stunt double acting. Daniel took time out a busy filming schedule to visit his stunt double in hospital, a gesture David has never forgotten, describing his as 'a great human being that will sacrifice his life to make sure other people stay employed.' Now 16-years on snap that changed the trajectory of his life for ever, David is able to look on his injury with optimism. 'What's worse than breaking your neck is the pain in your loved one's eyes,' he said. 'Life is hard, broken neck or not. I learned that lesson at 25, and it made me make peace with the fact it teaches you gratitude. I am here today, now. Where am I going to be in 10 years' time, in my body? I can't tell you… it forces me to be here now to take in the day.' Being paralysed from the waist down comes with it's complications, from which David doesn't shy away - and he's always able to see the funny side. 'I can't have control of my bowel routine,' he said. 'So that means I've had more hands up my a** than the cast of The Muppets.' 'I've cr**ped myself everywhere — top of mountains, film premieres, you name it … it never gets easier. But if you can find the joy and humour after it, it gets a little bit more digestible. So I always just laugh at myself.' Elsewhere in the interview, he discussed his relationship with his partner Rosie, a C-4 quadriplegic he met while renting her property in Spain. 'We don't connect over our injuries,' he said. 'We connect over our love for each other and our shared experience of being loved by great families and friends and committed care teams.' 'Our shared life experience when we go on holiday together, it means more because we have to work harder for it. And every orgasm that we both give each other, it means more because we're having an orgasm below our level of injury, something that most people say is unachievable.' He said he was 'grateful' for the life that the two are able to share, adding that they were enjoying having the best sex of their lives together. David also holds immense gratitude for having shared in the Harry Potter experience, praising the franchise for how it has helped others through difficult times. 'There are kids in conflict zones right now, petrified… their parents put Harry Potter on a phone in front of them, and it helps them escape their reality,' he said. 'There are people struggling with mental health issues right now that are always like turning to those films to help them get through a tough time. I'm very, very grateful that I was able to contribute to that fact for tons and tons of people.' 'I get to share my perspective, and hopefully someone goes, 'That's helped me today',' he said. 'We get one chance in life. The best thing is sharing, to share the experience of being a dumb monkey on a rock, spinning through space with a load of other dumb monkeys on a rock.' 'There'll be a generation of people behind me that have a spinal cord injury that will be like that lost little boy that I was in hospital feeling like hope is all gone. And then maybe, just maybe, they might find my journey and my story, and it might give them hope.'
Glasgow Times
3 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
'Scottish David Attenborough' bringing tour to Glasgow
Gordon Buchanan, acclaimed Scottish filmmaker and photographer, is bringing his tour - Lions and Tigers and Bears with Gordon Buchanan - back to the UK. He will stop at 30 venues across England and Scotland including a night at Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre on February 28, 2026. Read more: New Glasgow exhibition poses question 'What might feminist energy systems look like?' Originally launching in February, the tour has already played to packed audiences across the UK and is now returning to Scotland thanks to popular demand. Speaking about his tour, Gordon said: "I had a wonderful time touring Lions and Tigers and Bears earlier this year – and I had to say 'yes' when the chance came up to go back out on the road to a load of new venues. "We joked that it sounded like a line from The Wizard of Oz – but the show is all about these amazing creatures, the undisputed icons of the animal kingdom, who I have been incredibly privileged to spend a lifetime observing. Gordon's Glasgow date is the first of his five Scottish shows, followed by Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, and Stirling. Buchanan, often described as "Scotland's own Sir David Attenborough", has spent more than three decades documenting wildlife across the globe. He began his filmmaking career in 1989 as an assistant to survival cameraman Nick Gordon, travelling to Sierra Leone to film in the Gola Rainforest. His credits include the BBC's Big Cat Diary, the Lost Land Of The… series, and the long-running Family & Me documentaries, which began in 2010 and have featured various species including some Minnesota black bears. Read more: Scotland's biggest motorcycle event set to roar back into action next month Most recently, Buchanan appeared in the BBC series Big Cats 24/7, tracking lions, leopards, and cheetahs in Botswana. Gordon said: "From pandas in China to orphaned grizzlies in Russia, from high-altitude tigers in the Himalayas to jaguars in the depths of the Amazon, I have been fortunate enough to meet many of these incredible creatures in their natural habitats – and I love being able to share their secrets with audiences. "I cannot wait to get back out there, to meet more animal lovers and to tell more tales of amazing adventures. "See you in 2026." Tickets for the Glasgow show go on sale on Friday, June 6, and can be purchased from the Pavilion Theatre or the Gordon Buchanan website.
