
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
Although the Grassmarket’s infamy as the site of public execution stretches back over 300 years, the final hanging in Edinburgh of a convicted criminal is, perhaps surprisingly, within living memory: 23rd June 1954.
Elizabeth McGarry, a Catholic single parent with two teenage children, knew that her homeless ex-husband posed a substantial risk to her family’s safety. Her previous marriage to George Robertson had ended as a result of his violent controlling behaviour and, despite the fact that he was, for a time, out of her life, she kept the door to the family home locked, a chair jammed against the handle to prevent it from being opened, and a poker close by for defence.
What possessed Elizabeth to allow Robertson into her home on the night of 28th February 1954 will probably remain unknown, although a party with the neighbours may have set the family off-guard. What followed, however, is certain, thanks to the court testimony of one of the teenagers present.
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