Covenanter History: The Grassmarket

A cross, raised above the pavement, marks the location of the city gallows in the Grassmarket, Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle towers over one end of the street, and the other end is close to Greyfriars Churchyard where there is a mass grave for the Covenanters. A gate leads directly up into the graveyard from the Grassmarket. Magdalene Chapel is nearby where many bodies were “laid out” in preparation for burial. Covenanters were hanged here after the Battle of Rullion Green in 1666 and followed by many others during the Killing Times. The last was Rev. James Renwick in 1688. #covenanterhistory