Greyfriars & Surrounds

One of Greyfriars biggest tourist attractions is the statue of 'Greyfriars Bobby', a dog that kept a fourteen-year vigil at the grave of his owner, a police constable. He was fed and cared for by the locals and stayed on the grave until his death.

The church, Greyfriars Kirk, is a somewhat bizarre building, taking influence from the variety of ages it has seen. It was built over a Franciscan friary and saw the signing of the National Covenant in 1638 that gave the Scottish church independence. A large number of those who signed were imprisoned in the Kirkyard where a Martyrs Monument now stands.

At the end of Greyfriars Kirkyard is the remains of the old city fortifications Flodden Wall. Through this one can access George Heriot's Hospital, a one-time home for poor boys, now a fine relic of the Scottish Renaissance.