On This Day, 1824: The Great Fire of Edinburgh Erupts

On this day in 1824, the Great Fire of Edinburgh began its rampage through the Scottish capital. The fire is believed to have first began in an engraving workshop adjacent to Old Assembly Close, located just off the High Street. Edinburgh’s fledgling fire brigade – which had been established just two months prior to this … More On This Day, 1824: The Great Fire of Edinburgh Erupts

John Paul Jones and the American ‘Invasion’ of Leith

In 1779 a daring plan was hatched by American revolutionary commanders to invade the port town of Leith. The proposed ‘invasion’ formed part of an audacious campaign to take the fight to British shores as the American Revolution raged across the Atlantic. And it would be led by John Paul Jones, the Scottish-born ‘Father of … More John Paul Jones and the American ‘Invasion’ of Leith

The Covenanter Uprising Crushed in the Pentland Hills

In November 1666, an army of Covenanter rebels was defeated by government troops in the Pentland Hills in what came to be known as the Battle of Rullion Green. While believed to be a small engagement, the clash occurred during a spontaneous rebellion, known as the ‘Pentland Rising’, in response to repressive policies against Presbyterian … More The Covenanter Uprising Crushed in the Pentland Hills

The Story of the Edinburgh Lawman Lynched by an Angry Mob

In September 1736, John Porteous, Captain of Edinburgh’s City Guard, was lynched by an angry mob of local residents. Overpowered and taken from the Tolbooth prison, Captain Porteous was dragged through the streets of the Old Town to the Grassmarket, where he was eventually hanged. This gruesome incident marked the climax of what came to … More The Story of the Edinburgh Lawman Lynched by an Angry Mob

The Bizarre Inchkeith Language Experiment Commissioned by King James IV

The island of Inchkeith boasts a peculiar and chequered history. During both world wars, this craggy outcrop in the Firth of Forth formed part of a defensive network which protected shipping and kept watch for elusive German U-boats. Featuring bunkers, artillery positions and anti-aircraft guns, the island was a fortress and would likely have been … More The Bizarre Inchkeith Language Experiment Commissioned by King James IV

Fire in the Skies Above: The Battle of the River Forth, 1939

Earlier this month I spent a weekend much like any other during this past year and half, meandering around Edinburgh and exploring its many nooks and crannies. On this occasion, I found myself in Portobello, located in the north east of Edinburgh on the coast. While walking along the beach I recalled seeing peculiar photographs … More Fire in the Skies Above: The Battle of the River Forth, 1939

Fact or Fiction? 5 of the Darkest Events in Scottish History

Scottish history is rich, vibrant and littered with colourful tales of bravery, deceit, violence and lust. It is no surprise that George RR Martin drew some inspiration from it.

There are many tales from Scotland’s past that aren’t immortalised in fantasy fiction, however, yet they are every bit as brutal and harrowing. … More Fact or Fiction? 5 of the Darkest Events in Scottish History