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Edinburgh's murky past is revealed through a series of spooky guided tours These are not for the faint hearted for you can expect some 'jumper-ooters' on the journeys that may take place after sunset. You will be regaled with stories of how the 19th century practice of body snatching developed. You will hear stories of witchcraft and plague and torture. You may also hear tales about such people as the Witch of North Berwick. The Church of St Andres was the scene for a gathering of witches under the leadership of the Earl of Bothwell who hoped to cause a storm to drown James VI and his wife Princes Anne of Denmark. Un fortunately for the witches, the storm did not arise and the witches met a grisly fate at the hands of the king's men. James incidentally took a keen interest in the events and even wrote a book about it. You probably will be shown the Grassmarket Pub, which was opposite a gallows. Here in 1724 an unfortunate woman, Maggie Dickson was sentenced to death for concealing the death of a prematurely born illegitimate child (the father was not sentenced). She was hanged, taken down and taken by cart for her final journey to her home. Friends of Maggie who wanted to give her a Christian burial instigated a major alteration and medical students from the Edinburgh University who wanted to use her body for dissection practice (executed criminals were a legal source of bodies for research). All were surprised when a groaning Maggie revived. She made a full recovery and after a hurried legal argument - it was decided that someone who had been hanged and pronounced dead could not be hanged again. She lived for another 30 years and became known as half-hanged Maggie. Naturally, given the nature of the streets and the inclement Scottish weather- sensible clothes and shoes are required. Also, knowledge of CPR may be an advantage for those easily spooked! |