Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery Edinburgh — Attraction in City of Edinburgh

Greyfriars Kirkyard is said to be one of, if not, THE most haunted graveyards in all of Edinburgh, and it certainly has that air of mystery about it. From tales of a violent poltergeist, ghosts of plague victims, ghostly looking tombs, and a wee dog, it has plenty to whet ones appetite if the macabre and ghostly goings on is what you're after. But Greyfriars is also a magnet for another kind of visitor... thanks to the works of a local author, J.K.Rowling, fans of the wizardly Harry Potter flock here every year to seek out the tombs bearing the names of their scholarly hero's. Moody, Scrimgouer, McGonnegall, Potter and even Voldemort himself under the guise of Thomas Riddle can all be found if you know where to look, though you can get a map with the locations on it to make life easier, but where's the fun in that..In the far left corner you will find a locked off area known as The Covernantors Prison where hundreds of prisoners were kept before being shipped off to Australia..many died before they got that choice. A little way to one side, an imposing large black tomb. the resting place of George 'Bloody' Mackenzie, so called because he was largely responsible, as Lord Advocate to the King, for the incarceration of said prisoners. In the late 90s, the story goes that a homeless man broke into the tomb and fell through the floor, breaking open the casket holding the remains of Mackenzie. Since then, visitors and tour goers are said to suffer from nausea, scratches to their bodies, and bruising... but what about the wee dog I hear you ask. That tale dates back to 1855 when a local man, John Grey, befriended a wee terrier who he named Bobby. The became firm friends, but a few years later, in 1858, Grey succumbed to illness and passed away. Every day for the next fourteen years, Bobby would visit his masters grave, only leaving when forced to do so. Bobby died in 1872 but couldn't be buried next to his master as it was consecrated ground, so he was buried close to the entrance. Later, a bronze life-size statue was erected outside the Kirkyard in his honour, a memorial which still stands today at the junction of George IV Bridge and Candlemaker Row, and the pub outside his also named after him too.(One thing the locals would ask of you though...please, please, DO NOT RUB Bobby's nose...it is causing damage to the statue). By day, it has the air of a graveyard, but at night, it takes on a whole new persona.. If you take a tour at night I recommend the City Of The Dead tours, which can be booked online or at Bobby's Bothy, a little hut on the right as you enter. Be prepared to...

Greyfriars Kirkyard: A Gothic Tapestry of History, Myth, and Mist

Wandering through Greyfriars Kirkyard feels like stepping into a storybook—or perhaps onto the set of a Jean Rollin classic. It’s part history, part legend, and soaked in eerie charm. Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, this centuries-old cemetery is more than just a resting place; it’s a hauntingly beautiful tapestry of Scottish heritage.

The atmosphere is unmistakably peaceful, and thankfully, most visitors treat it with the reverence it deserves. Winding, snaking paths lead past moss-covered tombstones and faded memorials, with the Gothic silhouette of Greyfriars Kirk casting its timeless watch over the grounds.

History enthusiasts will relish the graves of Scottish notables, the somber legacy of the Covenanters, and the literary echoes woven into the site by J.K. Rowling—yes, Potterheads, Tom Riddle’s gravestone is here (if you can find him lurking in the shadows).

And of course, no visit is complete without a moment spent at the statue of Greyfriars Bobby—the legendary little terrier whose devotion endured beyond death. His bronze likeness just outside the gates is a beloved icon, and rubbing his nose is said to bring good luck. Even he adds a tender note to the Kirkyard’s layered lore.

Whether you’re chasing ghost stories, literary Easter eggs, or simply seeking a poetic stroll through Edinburgh’s fog-shrouded past, Greyfriars Kirkyard delivers. It’s free to wander, but you won’t...

Known as the most haunted graveyard in the entire world, this 400-year-old resting place has played a role in many of Edinburgh’s most important historic chapters. Today, however, this graveyard is most famously known for a little dog that’s buried here, called Greyfriars Bobby. It’s a story that will melt your heart.

Greyfriars Kirkyard is a large graveyard that surrounds the historic Greyfriars Kirk. Kirk is the old Scottish word for a church.

It’s was established as a burial area during the reign of Mary Queen of Scots. Ever since then it has seen over 100,000 people buried here!

They were called Greyfriars as they wore grey robes – hence where the Kirk and Graveyard get their names!

The most famous grave here is actually not that of a person but of a little Skye Terrier dog. His name is Greyfriars Bobby! As well as Greyfriars Bobby, fans of the Harry Potter books flock here in droves every year.

a lot of people know that The Elephant House Cafe was a regular haunt for J.K.Rowling and is now known as the “birthplace of Harry Potter”.

this graveyard is only a short walk away from the café! So, it’s not too farfetched a theory to think Rowling strolled through here.

Although she has never admitted it, it seems as though she was inspired by the names of tombstones in the kirkyard and ended up using them in her stories! So, you’ll recognize many famous characters on the tombs like Potter, McGonagall, Moodie, Charles Black, and...