PRIVATE GREYFRIARS
KIRKYARD TOUR
Discover the stories of some of Old Edinburgh’s people, only inches away from where their mortal remains lie buried today!
WE’RE GOOD TO GO!
COVID-19 AND YOUR SAFETY
Historic Edinburgh Tours Ltd have successfully achieved the
‘Good to go” standard from Visit Britain which shows we follow
current government COVID-19 guidelines and that we have
processes in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social
distancing.
You can find out more about our COVID-19 policy here.
“Robert definitely knows to catch the attention of
the audience. My teenage son that usually looses
interest for anything historical quite quickly was
following from start to finish with pleasure and
was really looking to the next tour - he told us he
thought that barely 30 min were spent into
Greyfriars (tour is 1.5h !). Quite an achievement”
Marc Deryke - Tripadvisor
TRIPADVISOR REVIEWS = 100% WERE 5 STAR REVIEWS
Remember, your Greyfriars tour is private - you can choose when it starts! We’ve also got some flexibility with
distances and elevations on the tour. Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss these alternatives. Robert, your
Edinburgh tour guide, wants to give you a guided walk that interests you and which is accessible for all your
group.
In this Edinburgh walking tour, all your locations will take place within Greyfriars Kirkyard itself. We’ve outlined all
the story possibilities for your visit. We may not cover them all; it depends on where your interests lie.
Remember, this is YOUR tour, and we’ve got opportunities to accommodate the things you are interested in!
Story 1 - Greyfriars Bobby, the faithful wee dug!
You’ll find just how vital Greyfriars is to Scotland’s history and you’ll get a chance to discover the different stories
behind the legend of the famous wee Skye Terrier Greyfriars Bobby! Greyfriars Bobby is, almost certainly, the
most renowned creature buried here. The Greyfriars Bobby statue, which sits just outside, is renowned as being
Scotland’s most photographed statue. Not a bad feat! Greyfriars Bobby was the lead character in not one but two
films (one of them a Walt Disney film!) He also had a wee cameo role in the 2010 Burke and Hare film with Simon
Pegg. His story, however, maybe isn’t quite what you think. We’ll let you decide what you think happened here!
Story 2 - Remember, you are mortal (“Memento Mori”)
You’ll find out why some of the memorials have skulls and crossbones and how this helps you date gravestones.
You’ll find out about the early ‘inhabitants’ of Greyfriars and what happened to the Greyfriars Friary. We’ll even
use a rather exciting prop to figure out how the corpses under your feet look.
Story 3 - One man, three resting places…
We now ‘meet’ a famous teacher, George Buchanan. Buchanan was the teacher of the future King James VI. You’ll
find out about his use of physical threats and bad language! You’ll also learn why his grave is rather peculiar…
Story 4 - Harry Potter’s school
George Heriot is famed for being rich and for having an even richer and very philanthropic son. Their legacy
holds particular interest for visitors in the 21st century because it might well be an inspiration for a place called
‘Hogwarts’…
Story 5 - The Covenanters and the Martyr’s Memorial
If Greyfriars Bobby is the most famous Greyfriars ‘inmate’, then our next stop focuses on the most significant.
You’ll learn about the Covenanters - who they were, what their demands were, what the ‘Killing times’ were and
why they are entwined with Greyfriars Kirkyard.
Stories 6 and 7 - Royal Connections - Dr Pitcairn and J.E.M.
In quick succession, you’ll be introduced Dr Archibald Pitcairn and his legacy - a legacy that had profound
implications on the life of his son. You’ll then find out about the most powerful person in the Kirkyard. James
Douglas, Earl of Morton. The Regent Morton effectively had the power of the king, and he played a considerable
role in the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots and even more so in the early part of the kingship of James VI. You’ll find
out why his grave is harder to find than you might expect…
Story 8 - John Kay’s caricatures
It’s not all doom and gloom on this Greyfriars Kirkyard tour (although we do LOVE to tell a gory story!) Our next
character is John Kay, possibly one of our favourite Old Edinburgh people. Kay was a caricaturist, and you’ll see
some of his comical illustrations of Englightenment Edinburgh’s most eclectic group of people.
Story 9 - The Porteous Riots
Your next story is about a pioneering golfer…who was lynched! John Porteous was a captain in the Edinburgh
Town Guard. He oversaw the execution of a smuggler which went badly wrong and there was a riot at the
execution platform in the Grassmarket. The repercussions of this would come back to haunt Porteous. Your
Edinburgh guide will tell you all about the tumultuous story of the Porteous Riots.
Story 10 - Harry Potter’s pals
We’ll visit the western extension of the Kirkyard, and we’ll find out about William McGonagall, the “World’s worst
poet” (an unfair name we think). We’ll also take an opportunity to learn about the possible Greyfriars links to JK
Rowling’s Harry Potter books. We’re a history tour…but it would be churlish to miss out on some popular culture
too! If you aren’t interested in Harry Potter, don’t worry! We can introduce you to William Creech, a man who has
links to Deacon William Brodie (the famous Edinburgh thief), Robert Burns and the abolition of slavery.
Stories 11, 12 and 13 - Tortured spies to boring teachers!
Your tour is torture! Almost literally! You’ll find out about an eighteenth-century spy - William Carstares - and the
methods of torture he endured. You might even get a chance to experiment with your new-found knowledge and
our very own set of thumbscrews (ooooh yes!) Within a few steps you’ll also have an opportunity to find out
about the Burke and Hare murders. You might even get to inspect the memorial of the Covenanter, Alexander
Henderson, to see if a historical story is true.
Story 12 - The infamous Greyfriars Kirkyard ghost story
Although we’re focusing on history, we can’t miss out on the story of ‘Bluidy Mackenzie’ - the most famous
Greyfriars Kirkyard ghost story! Want to see the secret parts of Sir George Mackenzie’s mausoleum? We’ve got
photos!
Story 13 - Bodysnatchers and Burke and Hare
Our tour comes to an end with the story of the bodysnatchers, the infamous ‘resurrection men’. You’ll learn how
they lifted corpses and why we know so little about them. We’ll also return to the Burke and Hare story. Although
Burke and Hare are renowned as ‘bodysnatchers’, we’re only sure of their role as murderers. You’ll find out why
body-snatching and murdering were so closely related.
Greyfriars Kirkyard has many incredible stories. We’ve gone into some detail with these notes, but the full stories
are even more fascinating. This graveyard tour holds a five-star rating - we’ve not had anything BUT five-star
reviews for this most macabre offering from our range of Edinburgh tours!
YOUR PRIVATE GREYFRIARS KIRKYARD TOUR
COME WITH US AND MEET THE DEAD OF OLD EDINBURGH
FIVE REASONS WHY WE THINK YOU WILL LIKE THIS TOUR!
WHY EXPLORE A BURIAL GROUND?
OUR ASSURANCES TO YOU
WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE US?
YOUR TOUR ITINERARY
WHAT WILL I DISCOVER ON MY KIRKYARD TOUR?
“Our tour with Robert was excellent, and we
would highly recommend this informative
and diverse tour. I thought I knew quite a
bit of Scottish history, well now I know much
more. The tour was fun, respectful, and very
engaging, you should make time for this
one.”
ShannonB- TripAdvisor review of the Greyfriars Kirkyard
tour - May 2019
“So much history,
so well told”
TRIPADVISOR REVIEW OF THE GREYFRIARS KIRKYARD TOUR
WHAT HAVE OUR GUESTS SAID?
A FINAL WORD FROM ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON
WHAT DID EDINBURGH FOLK THINK OF GREYFRIARS?
Robert Louis Stevenson was a famous ‘son of Edinburgh’,
remembered for novels such as ‘Treasure Island’, ‘Kidnapped’
and ‘Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’.
He also wrote ‘Edinburgh - Picturesque Notes’ where he
describes many of the places we take you to on our Edinburgh
tours. His descriptions are ones we love!
Here is a little excerpt from his chapter on Greyfriars Kirkyard;
“Greyfriars is a place of many associations. There was one
window in a house at the lower end, now demolished, which
was pointed out to me by the gravedigger as a spot of legendary
interest. Burke, the resurrection man, infamous for so many
murders at five shillings a-head, used to sit there at, with pipe
and nightcap, to watch burials going forward on the green. In a
tomb higher up, which must then have been but newly finished,
John Knox, according to the same informant, had taken refuge in
a turmoil of the Reformation. Behind the church is the haunted
mausoleum of Sir George Mackenzie: Bloody Mackenzie, Lord
Advocate in the Covenanting troubles and author of some
pleasing sentiments on toleration.”
Discover the stories behind martyred Covenanters, an
amusing artist, an infamous ghost, grave robbers, the
Irish murderers Burke and Hare, a tortured spy and, of
course, the devoted Skye Terrier, Greyfriars Bobby!
The burial ground has some truly incredibly ornate
memorials, and we do look at these, but we focus more
on the stories of some of the people interred here. Their
stories are stories of Edinburgh’s history. Don’t forget;
you’ll learn about these characters as you stand only
inches away from where their mortal remains lie buried
today!
Are you ready to ‘meet’ the ‘Dead of Old Edinburgh’?
QUIBBLE-FREE REFUND
We offer a full refund if you cancel
your tour more than 12 hours
before your tour is due to start.
‘GOOD TO GO’ CERTIFICATION
We have the Visit Britain ‘Good to Go’
sign that shows we’ve implemented
COVID-19 safety features.
FRIENDLY GUIDE - IN A KILT!
Robert is your local guide. He was born
in Edinburgh and has lived here all his
life. He researched all our tours and
has an excellent knowledge of
Edinburgh’s history.
ACCESSIBILITY OPTIONS
If you have someone with mobility
issues, please contact us in advance
so that we can offer route changes.
PERFECT FOR CHILDREN
Robert, your guide, is a qualified
primary school teacher and will
help keep your children engaged.
CONVENIENCE
Your tour is private - you can
choose when it starts. You can ask
all the questions you want to!
CONTACT US
robert@historicedinburghtours.co.uk
+44 (0)7590 026 077
28/2 BRIDGE ROAD
EDINBURGH
EH13 0LQ
Registered in Scotland - SC454482
ONLINE EXPERIENCES
© Historic Edinburgh Tours Ltd 2020
Call us +44 (0)7590 026 077
PRIVATE GREYFRIARS
KIRKYARD TOUR
Discover the stories of some of Old Edinburgh’s people, only inches away from where their mortal remains lie buried today!
“The past is brought vividly to life through a
combination of Robert's experienced story telling,
with visual aides which tell the remarkable story
of the buildings, people and events of his beloved
city. The best spent two hours of a packed
weekend for these two first-time visitors.”
Pennyslad - Tripadvisor
“A BRILLIANT TOUR!”
Discover the stories behind martyred Covenanters, an
amusing artist, an infamous ghost, grave robbers, the Irish
murderers Burke and Hare, a tortured spy and, of course,
the devoted Skye Terrier, Greyfriars Bobby!
The burial ground has some truly incredibly ornate
memorials, and we do look at these, but we focus more on
the stories of some of the people interred here. Their
stories are stories of Edinburgh’s history. Don’t forget; you’ll
learn about these characters as you stand only inches
away from where their mortal remains lie buried today!
Are you ready to ‘meet’ the ‘Dead of Old Edinburgh’?
QUIBBLE-FREE REFUND
We offer a full refund if you cancel your tour more
than 12 hours before your tour is due to start.
‘GOOD TO GO’ CERTIFICATION
We have the Visit Britain ‘Good to Go’ sign that shows
we’ve implemented COVID-19 safety features.
FRIENDLY GUIDE - IN A KILT!
Robert is your local guide. He was born in Edinburgh
and has lived here all his life. He researched all our
tours and has an excellent knowledge of Edinburgh’s
history.
ACCESSIBILITY OPTIONS
If you have someone with mobility issues, please
contact us in advance so that we can offer route
changes.
PERFECT FOR CHILDREN
Robert, your guide, is a qualified primary school
teacher and will help keep your children engaged.
CONVENIENCE
Your tour is private - you can choose when it starts.
You can ask all the questions you want to!
YOUR PRIVATE
GREYFRIARS KIRKYARD TOUR
OUR ASSURANCES TO YOU
WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE US?
FIVE REASONS WHY WE THINK
YOU WILL LIKE THIS TOUR!
WHY EXPLORE A BURIAL GROUND?
YOUR TOUR ITINERARY
WHAT WILL I DISCOVER ON MY GREYFRIARS TOUR?
“If this is your first time in Edinburgh (actually even
if it’s not), Robert’s talk is a brilliant way to start.
He is a fantastic speaker, storyteller and
personality. He delves back and forth in time, using
great illustrations and photographs from his folder,
and really makes the city come alive.
One of the best walking tours I’ve ever taken; a
really unforgettable experience.”
Alcabe - TripAdvisor review of The Old Edinburgh Walking Tour -
September, 2018
“Don’t miss this!”
Your Greyfriars Kirkyard tour itinerary
Remember, your Greyfriars tour is private - you can choose when it
starts! We’ve also got some flexibility with distances and elevations on
the tour. Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss these alternatives.
Robert, your Edinburgh tour guide, wants to give you a guided walk
that interests you!
In this Edinburgh walking tour, all your locations will take place within
Greyfriars Kirkyard itself. We’ve outlined all the story possibilities for
your visit. We may not cover them all; it depends on where your
interests lie. Remember, this is YOUR tour, and we’ve got
opportunities to accommodate the things you are interested in!
Story 1 - Greyfriars Bobby, the faithful wee dug!
You’ll find just how vital Greyfriars is to Scotland’s history and you’ll
get a chance to discover the different stories behind the legend of the
famous wee Skye Terrier Greyfriars Bobby! Greyfriars Bobby is,
almost certainly, the most renowned creature buried here. The
Greyfriars Bobby statue, which sits just outside, is renowned as being
Scotland’s most photographed statue. Not a bad feat! Greyfriars
Bobby was the lead character in not one but two films (one of them a
Walt Disney film!) He also had a wee cameo role in the 2010 Burke
and Hare film with Simon Pegg. His story, however, maybe isn’t quite
what you think. We’ll let you decide what you think happened here!
Story 2 - Remember, you are mortal (“Memento Mori”)
You’ll find out why some of the memorials have skulls and crossbones
and how this helps you date gravestones. You’ll find out about the
early ‘inhabitants’ of Greyfriars and what happened to the Greyfriars
Friary. We’ll even use a rather exciting prop to figure out how the
corpses under your feet look.
Story 3 - One man, three resting places…
We now ‘meet’ a famous teacher, George Buchanan. Buchanan was
the teacher of the future King James VI. You’ll find out about his use
of physical threats and bad language! You’ll also learn why his grave is
rather peculiar…
Story 4 - Harry Potter’s school
George Heriot is famed for being rich and for having an even richer
and very philanthropic son. Their legacy holds particular interest for
visitors in the 21st century because it might well be an inspiration for
a place called ‘Hogwarts’…
Story 5 - The Covenanters and the Martyr’s Memorial
If Greyfriars Bobby is the most famous Greyfriars ‘inmate’, then our
next stop focuses on the most significant. You’ll learn about the
Covenanters - who they were, what their demands were, what the
‘Killing times’ were and why they are entwined with Greyfriars
Kirkyard.
Stories 6 and 7 - Royal Connections - Dr Pitcairn and J.E.M.
In quick succession, you’ll be introduced Dr Archibald Pitcairn and his
legacy - a legacy that had profound implications on the life of his son.
You’ll then find out about the most powerful person in the Kirkyard.
James Douglas, Earl of Morton. The Regent Morton effectively had the
power of the king, and he played a considerable role in the reign of
Mary, Queen of Scots and even more so in the early part of the
kingship of James VI. You’ll find out why his grave is harder to find
than you might expect…
Story 8 - John Kay’s caricatures
It’s not all doom and gloom on this Greyfriars Kirkyard tour (although
we do LOVE to tell a gory story!) Our next character is John Kay,
possibly one of our favourite Old Edinburgh people. Kay was a
caricaturist, and you’ll see some of his comical illustrations of
Englightenment Edinburgh’s most eclectic group of people.
Story 9 - The Porteous Riots
Your next story is about a pioneering golfer…who was lynched! John
Porteous was a captain in the Edinburgh Town Guard. He oversaw the
execution of a smuggler which went badly wrong and there was a riot
at the execution platform in the Grassmarket. The repercussions of
this would come back to haunt Porteous. Your Edinburgh guide will
tell you all about the tumultuous story of the Porteous Riots.
Story 10 - Harry Potter’s pals
We’ll visit the western extension of the Kirkyard, and we’ll find out
about William McGonagall, the “World’s worst poet” (an unfair name
we think). We’ll also take an opportunity to learn about the possible
Greyfriars links to JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books. We’re a history
tour…but it would be churlish to miss out on some popular culture
too! If you aren’t interested in Harry Potter, don’t worry! We can
introduce you to William Creech, a man who has links to Deacon
William Brodie (the famous Edinburgh thief), Robert Burns and the
abolition of slavery.
Stories 11, 12 and 13 - Tortured spies to boring teachers!
Your tour is torture! Almost literally! You’ll find out about an
eighteenth-century spy - William Carstares - and the methods of
torture he endured. You might even get a chance to experiment with
your new-found knowledge and our very own set of thumbscrews
(ooooh yes!) Within a few steps you’ll also have an opportunity to
find out about the Burke and Hare murders. You might even get to
inspect the memorial of the Covenanter, Alexander Henderson, to see
if a historical story is true.
Story 12 - The infamous Greyfriars Kirkyard ghost story
Although we’re focusing on history, we can’t miss out on the story of
‘Bluidy Mackenzie’ - the most famous Greyfriars Kirkyard ghost story!
Want to see the secret parts of Sir George Mackenzie’s mausoleum?
We’ve got photos!
Story 13 - Bodysnatchers and Burke and Hare
Our tour comes to an end with the story of the bodysnatchers, the
infamous ‘resurrection men’. You’ll learn how they lifted corpses and
why we know so little about them. We’ll also return to the Burke and
Hare story. Although Burke and Hare are renowned as
‘bodysnatchers’, we’re only sure of their role as murderers. You’ll find
out why body-snatching and murdering were so closely related.
Greyfriars Kirkyard has many incredible stories. We’ve gone into
some detail with these notes, but the full stories are even more
fascinating. This graveyard tour holds a five-star rating - we’ve not
had anything BUT five-star reviews for this most macabre offering
from our range of Edinburgh tours!
WE’RE GOOD TO GO!
COVID-19 AND YOUR SAFETY
Historic Edinburgh Tours Ltd have achieved the
‘Good to go” standard from Visit Britain.
You can find out more about our COVID-19
policy here.
© Historic Edinburgh Tours Ltd 2020
Text/Call us :
+44 (0)7590 026 077
