Harry Potter and erosion at ‘Voldemort’s grave’

HER literary creation cast a spell on millions of readers around the world.

But now fans of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter are being blamed for ruining a historic Scottish cemetery in their search for a fictional character’s grave.

Fans of the books believe a grave at Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh is the inspiration for Potter’s nemesis Lord Voldemort.

In JK Rowling’s novels, the Dark Lord started out in life as Tom Marvolo Riddle – an anagram of ‘I am Lord Voldemort’.

The novelist has a home in the capital and it is believed she may have been inspired to choose the character’s name after seeing a grave in the cemetery.

The headstone commemorates Thomas Riddell, a general who died in 1806 at the age of 72. In a post on Twitter, the City of Edinburgh Council said: ‘Greyfriars Cemetery suffering significant erosion on ground around Tom Riddell #HarryPotter #LordVoldemort (Tom Riddle) grave due to 100,000s of visitors.

‘It’s great the cemetery is so popular, so we are looking at solutions.’

Fans have speculated that other graves in the cemetery could have inspired names for other characters – such as poet William McGonagall, who died in 1902 and may have inspired Professor Minerva McGonagall.

A City of Edinburgh Council spokesman said: ‘We are currently looking at ways to help preserve the areas around the grave of Thomas Riddell which has become an attraction for Harry Potter fans.

‘In time, we will organise repair work but ask people to take care when visiting.’