Muschet's Cairn

Duke's Walk, Queen's Park EH8 8JB

The pile of stones commemorates the site where apprentice surgeon, Nicol Muschet, murdered his wife Margaret in 1720.

Just weeks after their marriage, Muschet enlisted friends and relatives in various witless plans to get rid of her (including staged adultery and no fewer than three poisoning attempts). His monogrammed shirt left at the scene where he slit his young wife's throat, backed up by confessions from his sister-in-law meant he was found guilty and hanged.

Heave Awa' Hoose

Paisley Close, 101 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SP

In 1861, the overcrowded 250 year-old houses at Paisley Close collapsed with the loss of 35 lives. As debris was being cleared away, a young boy was heard to shout “Heave awa' lads, I'm no deid yet”.

The tragedy resulted in the creation of a Medical Officer of Health - and the inscription at Paisley Close (albeit “lads” being substituted” for “chaps”).

The Flodden Wall

Heriot Place, Edinburgh EH1 2JE

http://flodden1513.com

The Flodden Wall was a defensive barrier built around Edinburgh in 1513. Parts of it can still be seen today in Greyfriars Kirkyard and at Drummond Place/The Pleasance but the best place to view it is from Heriot Place.

At the bottom of the Vennel there is a plaque set into the pavement marking the place where the wall would have continued across the Grassmarket.

Anatomical Museum

University of Edinburgh, Doorway 3, Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG

@BurkesBones

TheAnatomy Museum is open to the public on the last Saturday of each month but closed throughout June, July and December

As well as various exhibition, there is a permanent collection which includes a collection of life and death masks, items relating to murderers and grave-robbers Burke and Hare and anatomy models.

Advocate's Close

Cockburn Street/357 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1ND

Of all Edinburgh's 80+ 'closes' (alleyways), Advocate's Close probably best sums up what Edinburgh is all about - the old and new living side by side...preservation and innovation.

At numbers two and four, look up at the carved lintels which read “spes altera vitae” (“a second hope of life”) and “blissit be god of al his giftis” 1590.

At number seven is The Tower, a contemporary office development completed in 2013.

At number nine, in an old Victorian pump house, is The Devil’s Advocate bar & restaurant featuring a mezzanine dining area and a 200-strong whisky shelf.

Advocate's Close offers an alternative route from Cockburn Street at the bottom, to 357 High Street on the Royal Mile.  Since 2013, there has been a pedestrian thoroughfare linking Advocate’s Close with the News Steps.


In 2014, Advocate's Close was named Scotland's 'Best Building'