Visit the Famous Kirkyard
The Kirkyard is owned by Edinburgh City Council
The Kirkyard is open 24 hours a day and is one of the most famous graveyards in the world.
Day to day maintenance of the graveyard is managed by the Mortonhall Crematorium team which is within Edinburgh Council’s Berevement department.
If you have any issues with the Kirkyard concerning matters such as litter, discarded needles, anti-social behaviour etc, please contact the council directly.
Greyfriars Bobby
Bobby was a Skye Terrier and was looked after by a local policeman John Gray for the last two years of his life. After John Gray’s death Bobby reportedly guarded his grave in the Kirkyard for fourteen years. Bobby captured the heart of the Lord Provost, William Chambers (whose statue is nearby on Chambers Street) and the public, who would bring him food and other comforts.
Read MoreWilliam McGonagall
McGonagall was known, rather cruelly, as one of the worst poets in Scotland – his most famous work is probably The Tay Bridge Disaster (based on a horrific rail crash by Dundee, his hometown), which ends on these priceless lines:
Read MoreTom ‘Riddle’
Pity poor innocent Tom Riddell. When he passed away in 1806, it’s very unlikely he had any notion of ever being the inspiration for one of the most famous villains in modern children’s literature. But that is exactly what he has become, as a stream of devoted Potter fans flock into the Kirkyard – whatever the weather – to pay homage to a grave that JK Rowling has said subconsciously inspired her writing.
Read MoreCannot visit in-person? Here is a virtual tour of the Kirkyard