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A cobbled square in Edinburgh's Old Town, crowds gathered near a circular stone marker beneath tall tenements.
Edinburgh

Covenanters' Memorial

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At the east end of the Grassmarket, where the gallows stood, a low circle of stone and a bronze plaque mark the place where more than a hundred Covenanters were hanged in the 1680s for refusing the king's church.

It is easy to walk past: people sit on the wall with a coffee and the pubs around it served the condemned their last drinks. Stop and read the plaque, then look up at the castle rock behind, which is the view they had. It takes five minutes and changes how the whole square feels. The Grassmarket is a short walk down from the Royal Mile by Victoria Street.

Close by
  1. The green front of Maggie Dickson's on the Grassmarket, gold lettering over the door.Maggie Dickson’sA pub at the east end of the Grassmarket, named for Half-Hangit Maggie, with 92 whiskies, local craft beers and live music.Under a mile1 min by road
  2. Green booths and mustard chairs fill a café with exposed stone walls and black pendant lightsHula Juice BarA cafe on the West Bow, just off the Grassmarket, serving fresh juices, smoothies and bowls, breakfasts, brunch and lunch.Under a mile1 min by road
  3. The Red Door GalleryThe Red Door GalleryUnder a mile1 min by road
  4. Red-fronted shop "The Enchanted Galaxy" on Victoria Street, EdinburghThe Enchanted GalaxyA wizarding shop over two floors near the top of Victoria Street, with wands, robes and house colours across both of them.Under a mile1 min by road
  5. Blue, pink and grey terraced buildings above the Oink hog roast shopOinkA hog roast shop on Victoria Street run by fourth-generation farmers, selling pulled pork rolls in three sizes until the day's hog is gone.Under a mile1 min by road
  6. Green corner shopfront reading "I.J. Mellis Cheesemonger" with cream awning and wooden bench outsideI.J. MellisThe first Mellis cheese shop, opened on Victoria Street in 1993, selling farmhouse and artisan cheese matured in the company's own rooms.Under a mile1 min by road
Directions
Sandstone facade with arched windows and yellow door, plaque reading Magdalen ChapelAttractionsMagdalen ChapelA step away
Restaurant dining room with laid tables, wrought-iron balustrade and stocked bar behindRestaurantsHowies Victoria StreetA step away
Gelato counter with flavours including peanut chilli coconut, bitter chinotto basil sorbet and liquorice passion fruitCafeMary's Milk BarA step away
Bedrock Coffee, EdinburghCafeBedrock Coffee0.2 miles
Dragonfly sign above wooden doors on a stone Edinburgh buildingBarsDragonfly0.2 miles
Woman in green jacket smiles beside a shop doorway with "History" posterShoppingArmchair Books0.2 miles
Carved walrus-ivory Lewis chessmen, king seated among bishops and wardersAttractionsThe Lewis Chess Pieces0.5 miles
Taxidermy sheep displayed in a glass museum caseAttractionsDolly the Sheep0.5 miles
Museum panel titled "Arthur's Seat Coffins" with text and William Burke execution illustrationAttractionsThe Arthur's Seat Coffins0.5 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near Covenanters' Memorial, and when each is next free.

A round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from Covenanters' Memorial
Check datesA man walks past Bucken Booths entrance flanked by black lamp postsOld Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from Covenanters' Memorial
Check datesWest End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from Covenanters' Memorial
Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Edinburgh
  • A mile from Covenanters' Memorial
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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