Blog Post 1- The Northwestern Scottish Highlands

Hello again! 

Welcome to my first geographical blog post surrounding the region of Hogwarts in Scotland. 

It is debated throughout the Potterverse where the exact location of Hogwarts is in Scotland. By analyzing different aspects of the area such as the climate and mountainous surroundings, as well as the amount of time it takes to travel by train(Hogwarts Express) from London to arrive, the majority believe that Hogwarts is plotted somewhere in the western Highland area; possibly around the
 Lochalsh and Kintail area.

Image comparing Highland mountains to mountains surround Hogwarts and the Blake Lake

Map plotting potential train route of the Hogwarts Express from London to Hogwarts
as well as the Lochalsh and Kintail regions

The mountains in the this region surrounding Hogwarts are formed on Lewisian Gneiss, which is the oldest form of rock in Scotland. The rocks are Precambrian metamorphic meaning that overtime igneous rocks morphed due to changes in climate and pressure.

Felsic Lewisian gneiss found in the Highlands

The region is filled with glacier-carved mountains, valleys, and plains. Elevations reached are commonly around 2500 feet. Scotland is known to some very large faults that have divided its highland ranges such as the Highland Boundary Fault which divides northern and southern Scotland with its dramatic mountains. The Great Glen fault which occurs closer to Hogwarts, is a left-lateral fault that bisects the northwestern highland area.

Fault lines in Scotland

Although no major faults have occurred in the northern Highlands for some time, Hogwarts has been plotted in them since 990 A.D which means that throughout that period the mountain ranges have definitely seen some minor faulting all around. Since Hogwarts is known to be in the same condition today as it was thousands of years ago, despite faulting, it leads me to believe that one of the many enchantments that surround and protect Hogwarts is one that prevents the mountain it resides on from any dramatic fault changes that would harm the school.

Until next time, thanks for reading!

And remember, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.

(No matter any faulting or earthquakes that may occur and collapse the school. It'll be fine. It totally protects itself.)

Sources

http://members.madasafish.com/~cj_whitehound/Fanfic/map_of_Hogwarts/location.htm
http://www.bgs.ac.uk/discoveringGeology/hazards/earthquakes/UK.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_Highlands
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewisian_complex
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology_of_Scotland