The Most Historic Cemeteries To Explore In Edinburgh

Perhaps the most famous cemetery in Edinburgh, Greyfriars Kirkyard dates back to the late 16th century. Amongst those laid to rest here are poet John Gray and his beloved canine Bobby, who slept on his grave for 13 years. Linked with a bloody past, around 1200 militant Covenanters were held captive in a field near the cemetery during the late 1600s. By the 18th century, this area acquired vaulted tombs or the Covenanters’ Prison. The Kirkyard is also home to the Italianate tomb of Scottish lawyer Sir George MacKenzie, a man known as Bluidy MacKenzie. The tomb, which was broken into in 2004 via a ventilation slot (a skull was stolen and used as a football), is supposedly haunted with MacKenzie’s poltergeist. Today, you can still see the iron railings implemented to deter grave robbers and the sturdy stonewalls. Mortsafes or iron cages were also used to protect bodies from being exhumed to sell for medical research.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that man’s best friend and the good folk of Edinburgh have a particularly special bond — look at the story of Greyfriars Bobby. Not forgetting the unbreakable bond shared by humans and canines, there is an special section within the confines of Edinburgh Castle for dogs to rest in peace. Perfectly manicured grass and wee tombstones set the scene for this doggy cemetery, which dates back to 1840. This soldiers’ dog graveyard was created for regimental officers to give their companions the burial they deserve.