Greyfriars Kirkyard facts for kids
Greyfriars Kirkyard is an old cemetery in Edinburgh, Scotland. It surrounds Greyfriars Kirk, a historic church in the city's Old Town. People have been buried here since the late 1500s. The church and its many old monuments are very important. They are protected as a special "Category A-listed building," which means they are very significant historically. Some people even say the kirkyard is haunted!
Many famous Scottish people are buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard. These include Sir George Mackenzie, who was a powerful lawyer, and George Buchanan, who was a teacher and advisor to Scottish royalty. It is also the resting place of Greyfriars Bobby, a loyal Skye Terrier dog. Bobby famously stayed by his master's grave in the kirkyard for 14 years after he died.
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Exploring Greyfriars Kirkyard
Greyfriars Kirkyard is a fascinating place with a long history. It is not just a cemetery but also a quiet green space in the middle of busy Edinburgh. Many visitors come to see the old gravestones and monuments.
A Look at Its History
Burials at Greyfriars Kirkyard began in the late 16th century. This means people have been laid to rest here for over 400 years! The kirkyard has seen many important events in Scottish history. It is a place where you can feel the past all around you.
Famous People Buried Here
Many important Scots are buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard.
- Sir George Mackenzie: He was a very important lawyer in Scotland. His tomb is one of the most well-known in the kirkyard.
- George Buchanan: He was a famous scholar and teacher. He even taught King James VI of Scotland!
- Mary Erskine: She was a successful businesswoman who helped start a famous school in Edinburgh.
- John Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton: He was a powerful Scottish nobleman.
The Legend of Greyfriars Bobby
One of the most famous residents of Greyfriars Kirkyard is not a person, but a dog named Greyfriars Bobby. Bobby was a Skye Terrier who belonged to a night watchman named John Gray. When John Gray died in 1858, he was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard.
Bobby then spent the next 14 years of his life guarding his master's grave. He would leave only for food. This amazing loyalty made Bobby famous. Today, there is a statue of Bobby near the kirkyard, and his grave is a popular spot for visitors.
Haunted Tales of the Kirkyard
Because Greyfriars Kirkyard is so old and has so much history, some people believe it is haunted. There are many stories about strange happenings and ghostly sightings within the kirkyard. These tales add to the mystery and appeal of the place.
Images for kids
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Greyfriars Kirkyard with Edinburgh Castle behind
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"Non Omnis Moriar" (Not All of Me Will Die), Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh
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Hill & Adamson photograph dated 1848, showing D O Hill sketching at the Dennystoun Monument, watched by the Misses Morris.
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The huge monument to Thomas Bannatyn, Greyfriars Kirkyard
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Monument to John Mylne, erected by his nephew Robert
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The Pitcairne vault within the Covenanter's Prison, Greyfriars Kirkyard
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Sir James McLurg's tomb in the Covenanter's Prison
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The Kincaid monument, Greyfriars Kirkyard
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Thomas Riddell's Grave, Greyfriars Kirkyard
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Notable burials
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Section of the east wall
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Monuments on the east wall
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George Buchanan Memorial
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Tomb of John Bayne of Pitcairlie (17thC)
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Detail on the tomb of George Foulis, laird of Ravilstoun (d.1633) and his wife, Jane Bannatyne
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Detail on the John Mylne Monument (17thC)
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Mausoleum of Sir George Mackenzie, by James Smith
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Recumbent figure on the tomb of William and Clement Little, 1683
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Gravestones in the north-west of the kirkyard, including marker for the burial site of George Watson
See also
In Spanish: Cementerio Greyfriars para niños
