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Brass markers indicate the site of gallows, where many an Edinburgh villain, like William Burke, met his ignominious end. It was last used in 1864. Though Burke was roundly jeered, the crowd often took the side of the criminal from a feeling of sympathy for the underdog.

"The Lord Provost, Baillies and Council, with the Deacons of Crafts Ordinary and Extraordinary, taking to their Consideration, that the Peace and good Government of this City has been frequently disturbed and insulted, and many pernicious and fatal Consequences have ensued to the Citizens and Inhabitants thereof, by the most insolent and illegal Practice of throwing Stones, Mud and other Garbage, at the proper Officers of the Law, City-guard and Common Executioner, when in the Exercise of their Duty and Office at lawful and publick Executions of Criminals, or in the executing of other lawful Sentences, or in the going to and returning from such publick and lawful Executions of Sentences upon Criminals or Offenders against the Laws: Therefore, in order to prevent all such pernicious and illegal Practices in Time coming, and for the more effectual bringing to Justice the Person or Persons guilty of all or any of the aforesaid Crimes, did, and hereby do Enact, Statute and Ordain, That the Person or Persons who shall be hereafter found guilty, or Art and Part of throwing Stones, Mud, Dung, or other Garbage, at the Officers of the Law, City-guard, or Common Executioner, or others lawfully convocated at such publick and lawful Execution of Sentences upon Criminals or Offenders against the Laws, or in going to or returning therefrom, or shall be found disturbing the Peace in any Sort upon such Occasions, shall, upon their being convicted thereof, be whipt through the City by the Hand of the Common Hangman, and thereafter imprisoned for the Space of one Year: And for the better discovering and bringing to Justice such Offenders, the Treasurer for the Time being, is hereby appointed to pay to any Person or Persons, who shall discover, or cause be discovered, any such Offenders, so as they shall be convicted of all or any of the aforesaid Crimes, the Sum of Five Pounds Sterling: And that none may pretend Ignorance hereof, did Ordain their Presents to be printed and published by Tuck of Drum through this City and its Liberties, and through Canongate, South and North Leiths, and that Copies be affixed on the publick Places in the usual Manner." -- Act of Council, 31st August, 1737

NT2573 : Heart of Midlothian