Muschat's Cairn Edinburgh
Gory history under rocks
I have to confess I've walked past the spot thousands of times before I actually realised it was anything to pay attention to! It's not the prettiest of spots but an interesting story.
Holyrood Park is my local green space. It's actually a Royal Park associated with Holyrood Palace and managed by Historic Scotland. It's most famous landmark is Arthur's Seat, the large extinct volcano that towers over the city, but recently I've become aware of another landmark, far more modest, within the park.
At the east side of the park, on Duke's Walk, is a small pile of stones which look like just that to most passersby. However, the stones are actually a Cairn (a pile of rocks used as a marker) to remember a lady named Ailie Muschat.
On 17 October 1720 Ailie Muschat was murdered on the sight of the Cairn by her husband. The story is that he'd tried multiple times to frame her for adultery and murder her but had been unsuccessful - until that night. He took her into the park and cut her throat because he'd grown tired of her!
Her husband was sentenced to death for the murder and hung in the Grassmarket, not far from the Park.
After the murder locals passing the spot would lay a stone as a traditional act of marking what had happened there. The original Cairn was removed at some point and a new one created in the 1800s.
About this spot
Duke's Walk 1
- 24 hours daily
£
free
Find your way with 138 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Edinburgh
Considerat Chocolate
Incredible vegan donuts
Plant based or not, if you love donuts, you HAVE to take a trip to "Considerat Chocolate" in Edinburgh! You won't even notice they're vegan...
by
Sarah
Mackenzie
J.K. Rowling’s Golden Handprints
Hidden finds!
"J.K. Rowling’s Golden Handprints" is one of the tons of Harry Potter-related sights in Edinburgh that most fans miss. Tourists wander right past it!
by
Sarah
Mackenzie
Nott Wine Bar
Charcuterie boards & artisan coffee
Edinburgh's Leith Walk is filling up fast with trendy new coffee shops, bakeries, and local maker stores - "Nott Wine Bar" is one of my favourites!
by
Sarah
Mackenzie
Lochend Park
Birdwatching bounty
"Lochend Park" in Edinburgh is for you if you want a peaceful stroll around a loch (small lake), a gander at a doocot, a dander under mature trees...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Newhaven Harbour
Fish and chips by the sea
Cute, quaint "Newhaven Harbour" is a hidden gem in Edinburg. Try walking around the area - it will take you about an hour...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Starbank Park
Gardens with a view
"Starbank Park" in Edinburgh offers cracking views over the Firth of Forth - it's such a peaceful, beautiful place to sit and sun yourself in the sea air!
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Water of Leith
River through the city
The "Water of Leith" is a river that runs from one side of Edinburgh to the other, and it runs through some of the city's most scenic & interesting sites...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Wardie Bay
Wild swimming in the city
"Wardie Bay" in Edinburgh is a bijou beach on the Firth of Forth and my favourite spot for wild swimming in the city...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Dance Base
Dance your heart out
"Dance Base" is an award-winning building in Edinburgh established to provide classes, workshops & performances. Please do join me in dancing!
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Dovecot Studios
Watch the weavers at work
The "Dovecot Studios" in Edinburgh were once public swimming baths where I'd swim every morning - now I can have a bird's eye view of weavers & looms...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
Art and good coffee
The "Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop" is a bit of an institution. Going regularly means I can keep up with the artist’s work and enjoy a scone & jasmine tea.
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Granton Hub
Community arts
"Granton Hub" (aka Madelvic House) in North Edinburgh is a community centre in a prosaic, truly historic building with a rich industrial heritage...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Heading to Edinburgh?
138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 138 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves Edinburgh
Get to know our other Spotters from Edinburgh
As featured on:
