The History of the New Town
HISTORY OF EDINBURGH’S NEW TOWN Prior to the mid-18th century, Edinburgh was a cesspit of filth, disease and crime, with tens of thousands of citizens
The White Hart Inn is Edinburgh’s most haunted…
Dating back to 1516, the White Hart Inn perhaps has more reason than most to be haunted. Pulled hair, slamming doors and flying chutney bottles have been reported, while paranormal experts allegedly captured the whispered words, ‘Help me!’ Someone must have missed last orders.
…while The Wee Pub is Scotland’s smallest.
Measuring just 17ft by 15ft, The Wee Pub is reputedly the country’s smallest drinkery, accommodating just 20 patrons – at a squeeze! In keeping with diminutive size of the establishment, even the drinks are listed on postcards, with magnifying lenses on hand.
The convict who came back from the dead.
1724: fish hawker Maggie Dickson is charged with and subsequently convicted of murder, following the stillbirth of her baby after concealing her pregnancy. Despite being hanged on the Grassmarket, Dickson later awoke, in a coffin, having apparently survived the ordeal. Under Scotland’s double jeopardy law, she couldn’t be convicted for the same crime twice, so was free to enjoy the rest of her life.
The dogged persistence of Bobby.
Greyfriars’ Bobby is one of Edinburgh’s most famous residents, a statue in recognition of which is erected on the corner of Candlemaker Row. Bobby was a Skye Terrier who memorably kept watch over his owner’s grave for 14 years until his own death in 1872 – or, by some accounts, in 1867, with a lookalike taking over thereafter. Either way, Bobby is the only dog to be afforded the Freedom of the City in Britain.
Catapulting Edinburgh into the Dark Ages
In 2018, a large object resembling a cannonball was uncovered during excavations for a new hotel development, offering archaeologists an unprecedented insight into the city’s history. Believed to be launched from a trebuchet – a popular medieval weapon resembling a giant catapult – the ball was most likely used in the Siege of Edinburgh of 1296, revealing that the entire city would have received a pummelling, not just the castle itself.
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HISTORY OF EDINBURGH’S NEW TOWN Prior to the mid-18th century, Edinburgh was a cesspit of filth, disease and crime, with tens of thousands of citizens
12 surprising facts about Edinburgh’s Old Town A visit to Edinburgh’s Old Town is guaranteed to deliver some delightful surprises for the intrepid traveller. But
The history of edinburgh’s old town It’s the capital city that very nearly wasn’t. When Robert the Bruce awarded Edinburgh its charter in 1329, it’s
The Creation Of Victoria Street Victoria Street is one of Edinburgh’s most recognisable and picturesque locations, its elegant curve graced by a series of colourful
5 Surprising Facts About the Grassmarket The White Hart Inn is Edinburgh’s most haunted… Dating back to 1516, the White Hart Inn perhaps has more
EDINBURGH’S LAST HANGING Although the Grassmarket’s infamy as the site of public execution stretches back over 300 years, the final hanging in Edinburgh of a
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