Covenanters' Memorial, Boundary Wall, Railings and Gate, Grassmarket, Edinburgh

Heritage listing

Category C Date Added 29/03/2001 Local Authority Edinburgh Planning Authority Edinburgh Burgh Edinburgh NGR NT 25491 73400 Coordinates 325491, 673400 — 1937 and 1953-4. Roughly-hewn raised cylinder with inset granite circle and Saltire cross, surrounded by bronze circular inscription, 1937. Squared and snecked hammered sandstone coped boundary wall with coped piers; cast-iron railings and gates with Saltire crosses and thistles. (City Engineer, 1953-4). — The long rectangle of Grassmarket was already a suburb and a secondary market place by 1500. After the Battle of Flodden in 1513 the city walls were strengthened and the Grassmarket and Cowgate enclosed by the Flodden Wall. Agricultural produce was sold in the Grassmarket until well into the 20th century; old photographs show upended carts and the bars and hostels associated with the market. It was also a place of public execution. The Memorial marks the place where many of the 'Martyrs' of the Covenanting cause were executed during the Wars of Religion (1661-68). The Memorial was first opened 25th April 1937, and re-opened by the Duke of Hamilton on 24th October 1954.

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.