Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard

The Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard is a group of people who are passionate about Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh. We believe this is a very valuable but vulnerable place that needs as many friends as possible. Our mission is to help people understand, appreciate & conserve the Kirkyard.

There is so much to learn about the Kirkyard on so many different levels. It is full of history, meaning and mystery, all of which we are keen to find out more about. We want to share what we learn so that more people can better appreciate the value and vulnerability of this special place. We want to help protect the Kirkyard by working with the people and authorities who are responsible for maintaining and caring for this place. Ultimately we want to help ensure that Greyfriars Kirkyard is preserved for future generations to learn from and enjoy.

About Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh

Greyfriars Kirkyard has been an important part of Edinburgh since the Greyfriars used the land as a farm to grow food and medicines for the poor and sick of Edinburgh. When the Reformers banished the Greyfriars, the land was granted to Edinburgh Council by Mary Queen of Scots in 1562. Over the next 300 years, up to 200,000 people were interred here. Their stories reflect the turbulent, complex and fascinating history of this great city and ultimately of Scotland itself. Aspects of life in the past can be gleaned from understanding the lives and deaths, the ideas and ideals of those buried here. By investigating their history, we can trace the ideas of the Reformation, the development of Presbyterianism, the Union of the Crowns in 1603, the signing of the National Covenant, the persecution of those with different religious and political beliefs, the Union of Parliaments in 1707, the flowering of Enlightenment thought with the development of trade and business, and the important developments in medicine and science which shape our lives today.

Not only all of that, but the changing designs in the stunning funeral architecture enlighten our understanding of this art form and the faith, values and culture behind them. Of course, much of this is due to the brilliant stonemasons who created them, while they were also working on many of our historical national monuments and buildings.

Obviously, the wealthy have the most eye-catching and elaborate memorials, but we must remember the many who have no markers; the criminals, the poor and many children who are also interred here and whose past we know little of except their names in the burial register, although not all children were named. All are part of the complex, sometimes challenging, but always fascinating history of Edinburgh over the centuries. Interestingly, those who were enemies in life lie in the same kirkyard in death, hopefully now in peace.

Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard plan to research and write about all of the above, to stimulate interest and discussion, to encourage the future preservation of the fabric and the cultural memories of this very important place. Please become a Friend of Greyfriars Kirkyard and be part of this effort to raise awareness of its history and importance, its beauty and its mystery, all of which are so interesting and intriguing.

Contact Us

To contact us, please email or call Mark Hatton the Chair of The Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard on :

Email : Mark@Hattonfamily.com
Telephone : 07774 499589

or look for us on Facebook where we run a Private Group, which everyone interested in Greyfriars Kirkyard is welcome to join. The group’s Facebook name is simply: Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard