Edinburgh Lore

Take a Walk on the Dark Side. Discover forgotten stories, supernatural legends, folklore, mysteries and hidden history from Edinburgh and Scotland.

Featured Edinburgh Stories

Explore some of Edinburgh's most fascinating stories, hidden mysteries and forgotten legends.

The Witches Well

The Witches’ Well

A haunting reminder of one of Scotland's darkest periods and Edinburgh's tragic witch trials.

Read Story
Princes Street Gardens

The Skeletons of Princes St Gardens

A grisly archaeological discovery beneath the shadow of Edinburgh Castle.

Read Story
Heart of Midlothian

The Heart of Midlothian

The famous heart-shaped landmark embedded in Edinburgh's Royal Mile.

Read Story
Dean Cemetery

Dean Cemetery

One of Edinburgh's most atmospheric cemeteries filled with remarkable history.

Read Story

The Witches’ Well

September 11, 2019

Few visitors approaching Edinburgh Castle across the Esplanade are aware they are walking across the site of one of the darkest periods of Scottish history. Part thanks to King James VI's pathological fear of witchcraft, hundreds of people – mostly women – suffered persecution and execution during Scotland's witch trials.

The Skeletons of Princes St Gardens

September 8, 2019

In 1820, excavations by the Well House Tower at the base of Castle Rock uncovered a grisly discovery. Edinburgh lawyer, artist and friend of Sir Walter Scott, James Skene of Rubislaw, later documented the remarkable find in historical records.