Gritty Edinburgh: A City of Mystery and Murder

Edinburgh, the beautiful capital city of Scotland, has a dark and bloody past. From the gruesome murders of Deacon Brodie and Burke and Hare to the unsolved mystery of the消失的王子, the city has been the scene of some of the most notorious crimes in British history. In this article, we will delve into the gritty Edinburgh mystery of crime and murder, exploring some of the most chilling and fascinating cases that have captivated the public's imagination for centuries.

Private Investigations (Bob Skinner series, Book 26): A gritty Edinburgh mystery of crime and murder

by Quintin Jardine

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2469 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	338 pages

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Deacon Brodie: The Double Life of a Respected Tradesman and Notorious Criminal

Deacon William Brodie was a respected cabinet-maker and Deacon of the Incorporation of Wrights and Masons in Edinburgh. However, behind this respectable facade, Brodie led a double life as a notorious criminal. He was a master of disguise and used his position to gain access to the homes of wealthy Edinburgh residents, which he would then rob.

Brodie's luck ran out in 1788 when he was caught during a robbery attempt. He was convicted and sentenced to death. On the day of his execution, a huge crowd gathered outside the Tolbooth Prison to witness the hanging. Brodie's last words were: "Gentlemen, I die a Christian." However, many people believed that he deserved a harsher punishment for his crimes.

Burke and Hare: The Body Snatchers

William Burke and William Hare were two Irish immigrants who committed a series of gruesome murders in Edinburgh in the early 19th century. They lured homeless people and prostitutes into their lodging house, where they would murder them and sell their bodies to medical schools. Burke and Hare's crimes were finally discovered in 1828, when they were caught trying to sell the body of a young woman. They were both convicted and sentenced to death.

The Burke and Hare murders shocked the people of Edinburgh and led to a public outcry. The two men were hanged in public, and their bodies were dissected at the Royal College of Surgeons. Their skeletons are still on display at the college today.

The消失的王子

One of the most enduring mysteries in Edinburgh history is the case of the消失的王子. In 1488, the two-year-old son of King James III, Prince James, disappeared from Edinburgh Castle. The prince was last seen playing in the gardens of the castle, and there was no sign of a struggle or foul play. Despite extensive searches, the prince was never found.

There are many theories about what happened to the消失的王子. Some believe that he was kidnapped and murdered by his uncle, Alexander, Duke of Albany. Others believe that he was smuggled out of Scotland and taken to France. Still others believe that he drowned in the Nor Loch, which was located near the castle at the time.

The mystery of the消失的王子 has never been solved, and it continues to fascinate people to this day.

Mary Queen of Scots: A Tragic Figure in Scottish History

Mary Queen of Scots is one of the most famous and tragic figures in Scottish history. She was born in 1542 and became Queen of Scotland at the age of six. Mary was a devout Catholic, and her reign was marked by religious strife. She was forced to abdicate in 1567 and fled to England, where she was imprisoned by Queen Elizabeth I.

Mary was implicated in a plot to assassinate Elizabeth I, and she was executed at Fotheringhay Castle in 1587. Her death was a major turning point in Scottish history, and it led to the union of the Scottish and English crowns in 1603.

Greyfriars Kirkyard: A Place of Ghosts and Legends

Greyfriars Kirkyard is one of the most atmospheric and haunted places in Edinburgh. The kirkyard is the burial ground for many of the city's most famous residents, including Deacon Brodie, Burke and Hare, and the消失的王子. It is also said to be haunted by the ghosts of those who were executed at the nearby Tolbooth Prison.

One of the most famous ghosts in Greyfriars Kirkyard is the Mackenzie Poltergeist. The poltergeist is said to be the ghost of a young boy who was murdered in the kirkyard in the 17th century. The poltergeist is said to have thrown stones, knocked over gravestones, and even attacked visitors.

Real Mary King's Close: A Hidden Street Beneath the City

Real Mary King's Close is a hidden street beneath the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. The close was built in the 17th century and was once home to some of the city's poorest residents. The close was eventually abandoned in the 19th century, and it was rediscovered in the 1990s.

Today, Real Mary King's Close is a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can take a guided tour of the close and learn about its history and its former residents. The close is also said to be haunted by the ghosts of those who died there, including a young girl who was murdered by her father.

Edinburgh is a city with a rich and bloody history. The city has been the scene of some of the most notorious crimes in British history, and it is a place where mystery and murder have always been intertwined. From the gruesome murders of Deacon Brodie and Burke and Hare to the unsolved mystery of the消失的王子, Edinburgh's past is full of dark and chilling tales. But it is also a city of beauty and intrigue, and its dark history is only one part of its story.

Private Investigations (Bob Skinner series, Book 26): A gritty Edinburgh mystery of crime and murder

by Quintin Jardine

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2469 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	338 pages

FREE