Greyfriars Kirk

Greyfriars Kirk is one of the most famous churches in Edinburgh, built on the former site of a Franciscan monastery (the grey friars!). Don’t leave without discovering its role in Scottish history, and the famous Greyfriars Bobby buried in its kirkyard. After dark, its kirkyard is one of the highlights of our free ghost tour in Edinburgh.

One of the most famous churches in Edinburgh

You will probably come across Greyfriars Kirk while visiting Edinburgh, as it is significant for a number of reasons, and the kirkyard is as fascinating as the church itself! It is a Protestant church, built between 1602 and 1620 and opened on Christmas Day that year, making it one of the oldest buildings in Edinburgh.

The large stained glass windows were added in the 19th century. They may not look remarkable today, but Greyfriars was the first Presbyterian church in Scotland to have them after the Protestant Reformation of 1560.

Practical information

Opening hours

April to October

Monday to Saturday, 10.30am–4.30pm

November to March

Monday to Saturday, 11am–3.30pm

The kirkyard is open 24 hours a day. Opening arrangements may vary throughout the year, so check the official website before your visit.

Entry

Free. Donations welcome.

The home of Greyfriars Bobby

If you haven’t heard the story of Greyfriars Bobby yet, read it on the board outside the kirkyard. Next to the main gate is the most famous grave inside, that of Bobby, the loyal Skye terrier who lay on his master’s grave, also in the kirkyard, for many years.

You might like to leave a stick on Bobby’s grave, and you can also see a small statue of him just outside the main gates.

The story of the Covenanters

Greyfriars Kirk is deeply symbolic for Scots. This is where the National Covenant was signed in 1638 by people pledging to uphold their Presbyterian beliefs against the Episcopalism that Charles I was trying to impose. You can even see a copy of the document in the Museum of Edinburgh, on the Royal Mile.

You can also see the Covenanters’ Prison in the kirkyard, where over one thousand people who had signed the document were imprisoned. They were held here after losing the Battle of Bothwell Brig in 1679, for many months, with no shelter and little food.

Many died inside, while others were executed on the gallows in the Grassmarket. Remember their struggle at the Martyrs’ Memorial inside the kirkyard, and at the memorial in the Grassmarket itself.

Paranormal activity in Greyfriars

Partly because of the brutal repression of the Covenanters, Greyfriars Kirkyard is said to be one of the most haunted places in Edinburgh. Its most famous poltergeist is that of George Mackenzie, known as Bloody Mackenzie, the man who led the persecution of the Covenanters.

In the kirkyard you will find the Mackenzie mausoleum. In 1998, a homeless man broke in to shelter for the night and the floor gave way, dropping him into a pit full of remains, from which he escaped as best he could.

Since then, visitors have reported scratches, bites and bruises they could not explain, and hundreds of poltergeist incidents have been recorded here. Hear the full story on our Free Ghost Tour.

Greyfriars and Harry Potter

Across the kirkyard you can see George Heriot’s School, founded in 1628, which is often linked to J.K. Rowling’s inspiration for Hogwarts.

Several gravestones in Greyfriars Kirkyard bear names that are said to have inspired some of the best-known characters in the Harry Potter books, such as Tom Riddle and McGonagall. Our Harry Potter tour of the Old Town takes you to them.

To learn more about Edinburgh’s connections with Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling’s sources of inspiration, join our Free Harry Potter Tour.

Tips for visiting Greyfriars

Visit the kirkyard respectfully. Remember that it is still a burial ground, not just a tourist attraction.

Don’t climb on the graves, rest bags or cameras on the monuments, or walk on the grass. The kirkyard receives a huge number of visitors every year, and helping to preserve it is essential.

Avoid rubbing the nose of the Greyfriars Bobby statue, as this habit has damaged the sculpture over time.

If you go at night, it’s best to join a guided tour. The kirkyard can be dark, uneven and confusing if you don’t know the area.

Wear suitable shoes, especially after rain. Some parts of the kirkyard can be slippery.

Is Greyfriars Kirk worth visiting?

Yes, Greyfriars Kirk is well worth a visit, especially while you are exploring the Old Town. It is one of those places where history, legend, religion, literature and local memory come together.

You can see it quickly if you only want to visit Bobby’s statue and stroll around the kirkyard, but it deserves a little more time if you want to understand its historical importance.

It is a perfect stop to combine with the Grassmarket, Victoria Street, the Royal Mile and the National Museum of Scotland.