The Headless Horseman in Edinburgh – The Headless Horseman in Edinburgh

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This tour is not available in Deutsch

Read this in — English

This tour is not available in Deutsch

Anchor Close

This close (which is a Scottish term for alleyway) was the location of Smellie’s Printing House, who printed Robert Burns works and the first ever editions of the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Ichabod's home

Some of the buildings here in James’ court date back to the 16th century. The close has been the home of Scottish writer James Boswell and 18th century philosopher David Hume.

Ichabod's school

In the 1800’s, this used to be a school known as the Normal Institution. It was managed by the Church of Scotland and provided residence for teachers and 500-600 children.

The Grassmarket

The stone circle marks the site where many Covenanters were hanged in the public gallows. Covenanters were Scots who rebelled against the King in defence of Scottish religion in the 1600s.

Greyfriars Bobby statue

According to legend, the dog Greyfriars Bobby was so loyal to his late master, nightwatchman John Gray, that he spent the rest of his life by his grave at the haunted Greyfriars Kirkyard.

Under the bridge

You are standing under the now closed West College Street Bridge, connecting the National museum of Scotland to the University of Edinburgh’s Old College

Tron Kirk

In 1697, 18-year-old student Thomas Aikenhead ridiculed the Bible outside Tron Kirk, the church across the road. He became the last person in Scotland to be executed for blasphemy.

St Cecilia's Hall

This is St Cecilia's Hall, built in 1763 as the first purpose-built concert hall in Scotland. After being used as a warehouse, school and Freemasons lodge, it’s now hosting concerts again.

St Patrick's Church

St Patrick's Church, built 1771-1774, became a Catholic church in 1856. Excavations at the site indicate that this would have been the location of the town boundary in the 14th century.

High Street Hostel

Above the hostel entranceway you can see a crown and two unicorns - the national animal of Scotland. This was the royal emblem of Scotland before the union with England in 1603.

Fleshmarket Close

Fleshmarket Close used to be the location of a butcher's market. The blood from the meat would run down the alley to the slaughter house and the lake at the bottom of the hill.

Locations you'll visit on this tour:

The Royal Mile, with its narrow alleys
James' Court, with historic buildings and where The Writers Museum is located
Castlehill - where you can see Edinburgh Castle
The Covenanters memorial at Grassmarket square
The Greyfriars Bobby fountain and statue, in honor of the loyal dog that stayed by its master's grave
Tron Kirk
St Patrick's Church