Gabriel's Road is a small path in the picturesque Stockbridge area of Edinburgh. It is named for a truly horrific crime. In 1717, a man named Robert Irvine took two small children in his charge to this area, which at the time would have been fields and woodland, with Edinburgh's New Town now being built until later that century. He killed them both brutally to punish a young woman he had designs on. The road, thought to be the spot on which the murder took place, was named after the angel who residents said would have travelled that route to collect the children's lifeless bodies and take them to heaven. Robert Irvine was hanged for his crime.Gabriel's Road is a small path in the picturesque Stockbridge area of Edinburgh. It is named for a truly horrific crime. In 1717, a man named Robert Irvine took two small children in his charge to this area, which at the time would have been fields and woodland, with Edinburgh's New Town now being built until later that century. He killed them both brutally to punish a young woman he had designs on. The road, thought to be the spot on which the murder took place, was named after the angel who residents said would have travelled that route to collect the children's lifeless bodies and take them to heaven. Robert Irvine was hanged for his crime.
Gabriel's Road is a small path in the picturesque Stockbridge area of Edinburgh. It is named for a truly horrific crime. In 1717, a man named Robert Irvine took two small children in his charge to this area, which at the time would have been fields and woodland, with Edinburgh's New Town now being built until later that century. He killed them both brutally to punish a young woman he had designs on. The road, thought to be the spot on which the murder took place, was named after the angel who residents said would have travelled that route to collect the children's lifeless bodies and take them to heaven. Robert Irvine was hanged for his crime.

Here are 7 hidden gems in Edinburgh where the city's stories and history can be seek peeking through

Rachel Mackie
By Rachel Mackie
Published 26th Mar 2023, 13:02 BST
Updated 26th Mar 2023, 13:02 BST
The stories of our beautiful city are everywhere – though some of them are easier to see than others.

Edinburgh is a city full of stories from the past, that peek out everywhere, even as time passes.

Here are seven history gems to look out for, and the story behind them.

Here are 7 places in Edinburgh to enjoy a Spring time walk - from the Water of Leith to the Innocent Railway

Here are 7 places in Edinburgh to enjoy a Spring time walk - from the Water of Leith to the Innocent Railway

This small monument can be found in St Giles Cathedral, and is a tribute to Jenny Geddes. When Charles I came to the throne he demanded the English book of common prayer be used across the United Kingdom. When people came to their normal Sunday morning service at St Giles, they were horrified to hear the new prayer book read out. One woman, Jenny Geddes, picked up her stool and threw it at the minister shouting "Dinna say Mass in my lug." This led to a riot that spilled out onto the streets, and the rise of rebellion across Scotland.

5. Jenny Geddes stool

This small monument can be found in St Giles Cathedral, and is a tribute to Jenny Geddes. When Charles I came to the throne he demanded the English book of common prayer be used across the United Kingdom. When people came to their normal Sunday morning service at St Giles, they were horrified to hear the new prayer book read out. One woman, Jenny Geddes, picked up her stool and threw it at the minister shouting "Dinna say Mass in my lug." This led to a riot that spilled out onto the streets, and the rise of rebellion across Scotland. Photo: Wikicommons

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This memorial can be found above the grave of Clarinda in Canongate Kirkyard. Clarinda - or, as she is more famously referred to, Nancy - was a writer, a poet, and National Bard Robert Burns considered her one of the great loves of his life. He wrote about their doomed romance in the beloved song Ae Fond Kiss.

6. Clarinda

This memorial can be found above the grave of Clarinda in Canongate Kirkyard. Clarinda - or, as she is more famously referred to, Nancy - was a writer, a poet, and National Bard Robert Burns considered her one of the great loves of his life. He wrote about their doomed romance in the beloved song Ae Fond Kiss. Photo: Wikicommons

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Slightly more modern history now. Sean Connery is probably the most famous son of Edinburgh, and although his childhood home in Fountainbridge looks very different now, this small plaque on the wall marks the spot.

7. Sean Connery

Slightly more modern history now. Sean Connery is probably the most famous son of Edinburgh, and although his childhood home in Fountainbridge looks very different now, this small plaque on the wall marks the spot. Photo: Wikicommons

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