We stopped in to pay our respects at the Greyfriars Kirkyard during our stay in Edinburgh, Scotland.  Dating back to the 16th century, the Greyfriars Kirk and the cemetery attached to it have an extensive history.  Walking amongst the graves, you can feel it in your bones.

Greyfriars Kirkyard

The Greyfriars Kirk and Kirkyard were on the very spot where the Grey Friars Franciscan order was established prior to the Scottish Reformation.  The Friary was in use until 1559.  Just a few years later, in 1562, Mary Queen of Scots gave the land to the city to be used as a burial ground.  Several decades later, 1620, construction on the Greyfriars Kirk was finished.  In fact, it was the first church built in Edinburgh after the Reformation.

The National Covenant was signed here in 1638, which united the liturgy of Scotland and rejected the liturgy of England.  An original copy of the manuscript is on display at the Greyfriars Kirk Museum.

The church is still very much in use and vibrant today.

Famous Burials

A number of prominent people are buried at the Greyfriars Kirkyard including James Hutton, the Scottish geologist who developed the theory of uniformitarianism (earth processes that existed in the past exist in the same manner in the present).

Greyfriars Bobby

One of the most well-known burials here belongs to a dog.  Greyfriars Bobby was a Skye Terrier.  His owner, John Gray, was a night watchmen.  When John died, Bobby, his dog, guarded his grave for 14 years before he passed away himself on January 14, 1872.  As such,  Bobby the dog was allowed to be buried here, but just outside of the official consecrated kirkyard.  Today, he is honored today with his own statue which stands on the George IV bridge near the spot where he was buried.

Museum

There is a museum located on the grounds of the Greyfriars Kirkyard that focuses on the history of the site.  The museum covers the prominent citizens buried on the grounds, the history of the Franciscan order, the National Covenant (including an original copy of one of the manuscripts), and the story of Greyfriars Bobby.

Where is it Located

The Greyfriars Kirkyard and Kirk are located in the Old Town part of Edinburgh, Scotland, along Candlemaker Row near the intersection with Chambers Street.