Greyfriars
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Greyfriars, a site that serves as a profound intersection of Edinburgh's religious, military, and legendary history. This space, comprising the Greyfriars Kirk and its famous Kirkyard, has been a central fixture of the…
Listen in the app2Section 1 — The Greyfriars Bobby Statue and the Legend
Just outside the entrance to the Kirkyard stands the iconic bronze statue of Greyfriars Bobby. This little Skye Terrier is the hero of Edinburgh’s most enchanting story: following the death of his master, a policeman named John…
Listen in the app3Section 2 — The Harry Potter Graves and Literary Inspiration
As we move into the heart of the Kirkyard, we find ourselves in an area that has become a modern place of pilgrimage for fans of the Harry Potter series. The author JK Rowling frequently wrote in cafes overlooking this graveyard,…
Listen in the app4Section 3 — Bloody Mackenzie and the Poltergeist
At the rear of the Kirkyard stands one of its most imposing and feared monuments: the mausoleum of Sir George Mackenzie. Known to history as 'Bloody Mackenzie,' he was a 17th-century lawyer and Lord Advocate who was responsible…
Listen in the app5Section 4 — The Covenanters’ Prison
Through a set of heavy iron gates in the southern corner of the yard lies the Covenanters' Prison. This was not a building, but a roofless enclosure where 1,200 Presbyterian prisoners were held following the Battle of Bothwell…
Listen in the app6Section 5 — The Flodden Wall and the Boundary of the Dead
The boundary of Greyfriars Kirkyard is defined by a massive stone structure: the Flodden Wall. Built around 1513, it was a desperate defensive project intended to protect Edinburgh from an English invasion after the crushing…
Listen in the app7Section 6 — The Greyfriars Kirk and the National Covenant
We conclude our exploration at the Greyfriars Kirk itself. Founded in 1620, the building has survived fires, restorations, and even use as a military storehouse during the time of Oliver Cromwell. …
Listen in the app8Closing
Our journey through Greyfriars draws to a close here, amongst the leaning stones and the echoes of centuries past. We have moved from the heartwarming legend of a loyal dog to the chilling history of religious persecution and…
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What is Greyfriars?
Greyfriars is a place with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Type | Heritage |
|---|---|
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 55.9467, -3.1916 |
| Last updated |
