Greyfriars Kirkyard

Greyfriars Kirkyard is the graveyard surrounding Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland. For many people, the graveyard is associated primarily with Greyfriars Bobby, the loyal dog who guarded his master's grave, and whose statue stands just beyond the entrance to the kirkyard.

The kirkyard has an important place in Scottish history; in 1638 the National Covenant, a protest against attempts by King Charles 1 to exert control over the Scottish Church, was signed in front of the pulpit of Greyfriars Kirk, and in 1679, about 1200 Covenanters were imprisoned in Greyfriars Kirkyard pending trial. The present Kirkyard contains "The Martyrs Monument" commemorating the hundred or so Covenanters who were subsequently executed.

The Kirkyard is the burial place of many of these and of many other notable Scots. One of the graves is that of Duncan Ban MacIntyre (d 1812) who fought against the Jacobites in 1745, never learned to read, and sold illicit whisky in the Lawnmarket to make a living, but who is recognised as one of the most important Gaelic poets of his time. Others buried there include:

• Joseph Black (1728–1799);
• William McGonagall (1825–1902)
• Captain John Porteous (ca. 1695–1736)
• Maj Gen William Farquhar, (ca. 1770–1839) 1st Resident of Singapore

A sign at the entrance of the Kirkyard

In Greyfriars Church the National Covenant was adopted and signed 28 February 1638. In the Churchyard are objects of historical interest as the Martyrs' Monument towards the North East and the Covenanter's prison towards the South West. Also the graves of many Scotsmen and citizens of Edinburgh of whom some of the most important are

James Douglas, Earl of Morton Regent of Scotland died 1581

George Buchanan, Historian and Reformer died 1582

Alexander Henderson, Churchman and Statesman died 1646

Sir George McKenzie, King's Advocate died 1691

Mary Erskine, School Founder died 1707

William Carstairs, Statesman died 1715

George Watson, School Founder died 1723

Colin MacLaurin, Mathematician died 1746

Thomas Ruddiman, Grammarian died 1757

Allan Ramsay, Poet died 1758

William Robertson D.D., Historian died 1793

Duncan Ban MacIntyre, Gaelic Poet died 1812

William Creech, Bookseller died 1815

Henry MacKenzie, "The Man of Feeling" died 1831

Thomas McCrie, Historian died 1835

Duncan Ban MacIntyre's memorial was renovated in 2005, after a fundraising campaign of over a year at the cost of about £3,000 .