Loch Morar is used for the close-up shots of Hogwarts Lake as well as a number of background pictures. Located in Lochaber, it is the fifth largest lake in Scotland, covering 10 square miles. It is also the deepest freshwater lake in the British Isles, with a maximum depth of 1,017 feet.

Several Scottish lochs were used to depict the Great Lake and the surrounding grounds of Hogwarts. The most famous is Loch Shiel near Glenfinnan, which served as the primary backdrop for the Great Lake in several films, including the underwater task of the Triwizard Tournament in The Goblet of Fire. Another significant location is Loch Eilt, specifically the tiny island of Eilean na Moine, which was used as the final resting place of Albus Dumbledore and where Voldemort steals the Elder Wand. For the final journey in The Deathly Hallows Part 2, the dramatic flight on the Gringotts dragon takes place over Loch Etive. In 2026, many fans take the "Jacobite Steam Train" (the real-life Hogwarts Express) to see these lochs firsthand. The train passes directly over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, providing a spectacular panoramic view of Loch Shiel, which remains one of the most photographed film locations in the world.