The reason why the Covenanters’ Prison in Greyfriars Kirkyard is locked to the public - and how to access it for free
The Edinburgh landmark is one of Scotland’s most popular free-to-enter visitor attractions
Greyfriars Kirk is one of Edinburgh’s most popular landmarks, with some of the city’s most influential and important historic figures laid to rest in the cemetery.
Welcoming thousands of visitors per year, the kirkyard is home to the likes of Lord Advocate Sir George Mackenzie, New Town architect James Craig, businesswoman Mary Erskine, and, of course, nightwatchman John Gray and his trusty companion Greyfriars Bobby.
There’s also the fantasy link to the world of Harry Potter with author JK Rowling reportedly having been inspired by names of those buried in the graveyard, such as Thomas Riddle, whose grave is one of the most visited.
A reader wrote to us about a recent experience they had while visiting Greyfriars Kirkyard with the hope of viewing the grave of Jame Hutton, known as the “father of geology”.
But when they arrived, they were met with a locked gate at the Covenanters’ Prison, where Hutton’s grave is located.
After concern that visitors were being denied access to the gravesites of important figures in Edinburgh’s history unless part of a paying tour, the Evening News decided to do some digging to reveal why this part of the kirkyard is locked to the public and how you can visit it for free.
The gates of the Covenanters Prison have been regularly chained up and locked over the past few years.
The City of Edinburgh Council, which owns and operates Greyfriars Kirkyard, confirmed that the gates to this section of the cemetery have been locked at times to allow for the preservation of the historic graves and heritage sites located within.
Greyfriars Kirk is also a popular location for guided walking tours, including ghost and Harry potter-inspired tours held by private companies contracted to lead tours in the cemetery.
Those who take part in these private walking tours will have paid for the pleasure, but there are options to explore the full cemetery free of charge.
According to Edinburgh council, visitors who wish to explore Hutton’s grave or others within the locked Covenanters’ prison can contact the council’s bereavement team via email at [email protected] to arrange access.
Additionally, free tours and open days are regularly held by The Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard which allows access to the entire cemetery, as well as educational visits also available via Edinburgh World Heritage.
Information on events and arranging tours via Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard can be found via the group’s website and upcoming events arranged by Edinburgh World Heritage can also be found online.