The Covenanters' Memorial, Edinburgh

 

Down in the Grassmarket area there is an unusual monument quite close to the ground. It is colourful and bares an inscription- this is The Covenanters' Memorial.

Back in the Covenanting period many Covenanters were hung at the public gallows which just so happens to be at this location. In 1937 by public subscription a memorial was placed and was designed to be a representation of the gallows' shadow.

Now we're due to touch on this site for our Valentines special as it was also these very gallows that Half Hangit Maggie survived her execution, but aside from simply being the spot that so many people met their death, there isn't really much regarding history here. However we wanted to mention the site because it is an area of interest if you have morbid interests like us, or if you wish to delve into the more macabre areas of history, also like us.

So let us tell you about the Covenanters as well. We touched upon them last in our post on Greyfriars Kirkyard as there is a sealed area dedicated to them as well as another memorial due to so many of them being imprisoned there, but we're going to visit there hopefully and provide a proper post.

The Covenanters