The Friends of Canongate Kirkyard

04/05/2018

08/01/2018

I always think this past minister of the Canongate would have been great fun.

An irreverential reverend

With the icy conditions we're experiencing at the moment, we're reminded of the famous "skating minister".

Sir Henry Raeburn’s portrait of Reverend Doctor Robert Walker is an iconic Scottish painting that has caught the public imagination, perhaps for the joy of seeing such an authority figure engaged in play.

Walker (1755 – 1808) was Minister of Canongate Kirk from 1784, but also an Edinburgh socialite who skated in very enlightened circles. He counted not only Henry Raeburn as a close friend, but also the architect William Playfair, the artist William Turner and the writer Sir Walter Scott.

Skating was one of Walker’s favourite pursuits – he had learned to skate during his childhood in Holland and was a founder figure of Edinburgh’s Skating Club. This was a time when the lochs froze over more dependably and winter sports were very popular. With the Nor’Loch being drained, they would gather instead on Duddingston Loch (this was also the home rink of the Duddingston Curling Society, which in 1803, agreed with Lochmaben the rules of the sport).

Find the painting at the National Galleries of Scotland, and see the full list of objects at edinburgh.org/101.

(Image credit: Antonnia Reeve)

22/10/2017

Today marks the anniversary of the death of Agnes Maclehose AKA Agnes Craig, known to friends as Nancy and to Robert Burns as Clarinda.
She is famous for the inspiration of Burns' "Ae Fond Kiss" and was also a poet http://ow.ly/zMhV30fXLne

16/10/2017

The wonderful Edinburgh poet, Robert Fergusson, died on this day 1774. He had only just turned 24. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the Canongate Kirkyard. Rabbie Burns would later erect a headstone for the poet that influenced so many. http://ow.ly/QVsP30faVR5

16/10/2017

We thank you Mary Kings Close, for always remembering our wonderful Robert, here in his final resting place.

Today is the anniversary of the early death of our beloved Robert Fergusson in 1774. He was one of Scotland's greatest poets and the man who Robert Burns acknowledged as his inspiration. He died in the Bedlam, Bristo aged just 24.
We pay tribute to him every day.

23/09/2017

Our Robert, welcoming as always, greeting visitors on day one of Doors Open Day, why not come along tomorrow and say hi?

22/09/2017

Come visit us this Doors Open Weekend, we'll be leading tours, introducing you to some of our residents who had a hand in shaping The New Town.

09/09/2017

For our Friday Fact we told you that the work of Robert Fergusson was an inspiration for another great poet, but which poet? Well it was Robert Burns.
In fact in 1789 Robert Burns paid to have a headstone placed on Fergusson's grave, and a memorial statue of Robert Fergusson was erected outside of the Canongate Churchyard on October 17, 2004.
Thank you to everyone who took part, we'll be back on Friday with another fact.

05/09/2017

Happy Birthday Robert Fergusson.

05/09/2017

Mercat Tours paying birthday wishes to our lovely Robert.. You all know how much I love this wee young man.

Now you know a little about Robert Fergusson’s poetry, you can wave to him as you pass him walking down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.
Today, 05 September, marks his birthday! http://ow.ly/IrN830eUTVc

11/08/2017

Look, our very own John, so pleased the Mercat peeps are showcasing him now. Their guides were really excited about him when I showed them around the kirkyard. I can highly recommend their Outlander tour, Saturday and Sundays. A great experience for Outlander fans who also want to get into the real Jacobite history delivered by exceptional guides.

With just 1 month to go until Season 3 of Outlander and a fabulous Jacobite exhibition at the museum - we're sharing the story of Lord MacLeod, a Jacobite with a colourful story http://ow.ly/SD4130edBCb

17/07/2017

Come see his grave in the kirkyard.

Scottish economist Adam Smith died on this day in 1790 in Edinburgh at the age of 67. Smith is regarded as one of the founding fathers of philosophy and economics and was one of the key figures of the Scottish Enlightenment. He strongly believed in a free market economy, arguing that human self interest would bring about a balanced economy without the need for restrictions in trade.

Smith was the author of several works which are still used today - including An Enquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations - which sold out within six months of publication in 1776.

His portrait has featured on both Scottish and English banknotes and he is commemorated by a statue at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh.

For more on people from Scotland's past, read History Scotland magazine: www.historyscotland.com