Graveyard and Vaults Tour

 Today Jeff left for home and Dave, Cheryl and Bennett arrived.  Our first activity together was the Graveyard and Vault tour which gave us background on Scotlands horrific history of finding the innocent guilty and throwing them brutally in with the guilty.  It also gave us the history of a time when justice was fickle and merciless.  Bodies were robbed, people were buried alive and hanging was normal.  It was also a crime to be Presbyterian in a 16th and 17th century country.  But the Presbyterians retaliated with equal justice.

Grave robbers stole bodies to sell for research.  Iron covers were used to try and prevent the bodies from being stolen.

One grave worth noting was that of John Cray.  His dog, Bobbie, lived in the cemetery at his grave for 14 years until he finally died.  They were then buried together.

After the graveyard, we proceed to the Vaults which displayed tools of torture.

The thumbscrews were a favorite.

The Vaults, formerly for bodies, more recently for storage, are under the bridge.  They were used by businesses. They were also used by the army for storage during both World Wars.  Today, bands frequently use the cells to practice because the acoustics are so good. 

The circle at the bottom of the photo, was believed to be a witches coven

Other strange rites took place in the Vaults.

To this day some people believe ghosts are watching the living cross the bridge.