Greyfriars Kirk is a parish church of the Church of Scotland in the Old Town of Edinburgh. The church is surrounded by a large kirkyard. It is a historic building and inspired JK Rowling’s novel Harry Potter. It also served as a Covenanters’ prison.
Historic church
Greyfriars Kirkyard is the graveyard that surrounds the Greyfriars Kirk Historic church. The churchyard, which is adjacent to George Heriot’s School, has been in use since the 16th century. Many notable residents of Edinburgh are buried here.
Greyfriars Kirk is open for tours during daylight hours, and is an interesting place to visit. Located just off the Royal Mile and close to Edinburgh Castle, this church has a wealth of historic monuments and family memorials. A tour can take you through the church’s history and highlight some of the church’s more notable features.
Although undergoing restoration, the church continues to hold a worshipful atmosphere. It has two distinct sections, the Old and the New. The Old Greyfriars Kirk has a distinctive roof shape. The New Greyfriars Church was built around the old one, and features a new timber ceiling added in 1932.
Covenanters’ prison
In a graveyard on the grounds of Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland, you’ll find caged skeletons. Located on the left side of the kirkyard, the skeletons are mostly in ruins, but some are still visible. One of these graves is home to a skeleton of a surgeon named William Inglis.
Another historic site in the area is the Covenanters’ prison. This site is also home to the grave of Sir George Mackenzie, the Lord Advocate in 1677. He was infamous for his persecution of the Covenanters, and his grave is believed to be haunted by paranormal activity. The ghost of this Covenanter has been spotted a few times.
Some visitors have reported being pushed and bumped around while visiting the Covenanters’ prison in Greyfriards Kirk. Others have even reported feeling nauseous after visiting the site.
Inspiration for JK Rowling’s Harry Potter
Many people have speculated about the inspiration for JK Rowling’s Harry Potter, the popular series of books. Although Rowling is renowned for her incredible imagination, there is no doubt that some elements of her books were inspired by real life. For example, she says that she took inspiration from a train ride on the way from Manchester to London when she was writing the first Harry Potter book.
One character that inspired Rowling was her childhood friend, Ian Potter. The two were good friends and Ian lived four doors away from Rowling in Bristol. Ian is now a damp-proofing contractor, but he was a mischievous trickster when he was younger. He encouraged Rowling to go out running through wet concrete with her sister.
After writing the first Harry Potter book, Rowling’s life began to change dramatically. She had a failed marriage, a young daughter, and was living on welfare. She also began to suffer from depression and sought treatment. She eventually got married and returned to the UK.
Home of Greyfriars Bobby
The Greyfriars Kirkyard is a graveyard adjacent to Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh. It has been used as a place of burial since the 16th century. The Kirkyard contains the remains of many notable Edinburgh residents.
The Greyfriars Bobby statue is located across from the kirkyard. It was commissioned by Baroness Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts, the president of the RSPCA’s Ladies Committee, and was unveiled one year after Bobby’s death. It features a plaque that reads, “Greyfriars Bobby.” Tourists are encouraged to rub Bobby’s nose for good luck. This practice has led to the nose wearing a lighter shade than the rest of the body.
The Kirkyard also features a museum, which tells the history of Greyfriars from the Franciscan era to the present day. It also features an original copy of the National Covenant, which was signed in the Kirk in 1638. A beautiful oil painting of Greyfriars Bobby by John MacLeod also hangs in the museum. Visitors are allowed to enter the kirkyard only if there are no events taking place. The kirkyard is also run by a separate trust, and the graves are meticulously maintained.