GREYFRIAR'S KIRKYARD

Greyfriar's Kirkyard is steeped in history. Mary Queen of Scots granted the former convent garden surrounding Greyfriar's Kirk to be used as a buirial ground in 1562.

The grounds play host to a number of famous Scots including; Sir Walter Scott's father, William McGonnegal, Scotland's worst poet, George Heriot founder of the school next door to Greyfriar's, James Craig, designer of Edinburgh's New Town, William Adam lies in a mausoleum designed by his son, architect John Adam (brother of Robert Adam) but perhaps the most famous resident of all is Greyfriar's Bobby the loyal Skye Terrier who kept a 14 year vigil on his masters grave, both dog and his master, John Gray are buired here.

1,200 Covananters were imprisoned here in squalid conditions in the Covenanter's prison before being either hanged at the Grassmarket, or if they were lucky deported to Barbados as slaves. There is a memorial stone to comemorate their suffering for their cause.

Ironically George 'Bluidy' MacKenzie who percecuted many of the Covenanters is also buried here in The Black Mosoleum and is said to haunt Greyfriar's. Known as the 'MacKenzie Poltergeist' many people on the ghost tours have reported being physically attacked by an unseen force.

The Kirk was originally outwith the old City wall and a section of the Flodden Wall still exists within the graveyard.