Greyfriars Kirkyard Reviews Summary

Greyfriars Kirkyard

Pros:

• "Entry is free, and this is the perfect spot for a picnic, to read a book and to enjoy look out over Edinburgh and the Castle."
• "Interesting historic graveyard tucked away down a passageway."
• "Very peaceful and so much history!"
• "The stonework here on the tombs is extraordinary and you could easily spend a few hours here."
• "Staff in the church are lovely, knowledgable and friendly."
• "It's very beautiful in spring and summer."
• "The whole place is very well kept and peaceful."

Cons:

• "It is so sad to see how much damage has been done in the kirkyard."
• "I went to take a photo of Sir Thomas Riddell’s headstone for my Harry Potter fan friends, but couldn’t find it and it wasn’t listed on the map."
• "Bit confused by the little gardens that were scattered through the place with edible herbs! Not sure how that fits with the place."
• "Very muddy."
• "Its supposed to be a tourist attraction so maybe a map on wall at entrance would help."
• "However it felt weird seeing so many people going to these tombstones and taking photos, feels kind of disrespectful to the actual people buried there."
• "It was just a bit disappointing that a lot of guides were here talking loud and blocking the views."

Harry Potter Connection

Pros:

• "If you’re a Harry Potter fan take a close look at the names on the tombstones. You might recognise a few."
• "You can also visit famous graves like the ones who inspired JK Rowling for Harry Potter characters, as well as the very popular Greyfriars’ Bobby."
• "This cemetery is where Jk Rowling got inspiration for many characters in the Harry Potter series."
• "I got to see Tom Riddles and Mcgonagall's tomb stones where J.K. Rowling got the names for Harry Potter."
• "JK Rowling used to pick up names from the gravestones for characters of her books."
• "You have to experience this graveyard, and visit Thomas Riddell's grave if you're a Harry Potter fan."
• "Also if you are a Harry Potter fan this place was the origins of some character names such as Tom Riddle."

Cons:

• "Are you people referring to pubs joking, or just dumb?"
• "Lot of dead bodies... Beware you may see some bones."
• "For the Harry Potter gravestones though, you will need to follow a guide online as these are not listed."
• "Some areas do feel eery. They have the section the people got attacked in, closed off only open if you are on the tour."
• "The ground was also extremely muddy+uneven..pathways for visitors+family members would be a much welcome addition."
• "Apparently you leave a stick on the grave for Bobby but I think it is now discouraged."
• "Getting spooked is an understatement."

Accessibility & Location

Pros:

• "There’s a paid Q parking place a short walk away that is not quite as expensive as other places in the centre of Edinburgh or it’s very accessible by public transport."
• "The buildings on the skyline looked terrific, there was mist in the air and the atmosphere at the cemetery was just indescribable..."
• "Walking tours make many stops in the area for good reason."
• "The kirkyard is easily accessible from the city centre."
• "Good central location and has a map at the front showing where famous people are buried."
• "Fantastically gothic surroundings and wheelchair friendly however can be steep in places whether going up or down."
• "Great place to explore. Love a wander around a cemetery as it gives a social history of the time."

Cons:

• "It was very busy with tourists but he never left our side and as we went to leave he gave my daughter a handful of postcards depicting scenes from around the kirkyard for free."
• "Possibly the most famous church in Scotland, fascinating history and beautiful grounds to wander in, there can be large tour groups at times in the way of what you want to look at but that is a minor inconvenience."
• "There's a locked area which once held prisoners that were left to starve but i think you can only go in there as part of a tour."
• "The graveyard contains tens of thousands of people, from criminals without headstones to some of Scotland's wealthiest people."
• "Donations are recommended at the end but not necessary."
• "The little grave is at the front of the Kirk and the monument to Greyfriars Bobby is on the street."
• "Some of it was quite overgrown at one time."