Grassmarket

This pleasant location with people sunning themselves was popular for a different reason in Edinburgh's dark past. It was the site of a gallows and in the absence of reality TV was a source of entertainment. Many famous people were killed here including body snatcher Burke, many Covenanters and Captain John Porteous who was hanged in the Grassmarket after ordering the shooting of civilians who had become rowdy - during some hangings in the Grassmarket.

It was also where Half-Hangit Maggie was half hangit. Her crime - which I am sure you will agree was a terrible one - was concealment of a pregnancy for which she was condemned to death. After the hanging, Maggie was put in her coffin and carried off, at which point the jolting of the carriage on the roads (which have not improved since) woke her up. She lived out the rest of her life in Musselburgh, became somewhat of a tourist attraction and had several more children.

A reminder for those who are not sure what they are sitting on is the name of a nearby pub - The Last Drop.