Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · 2d

The crown steeple can be seen from much of Edinburgh and is a distinctive landmark across the skyline.

Today marks the anniversary of St Giles’ consecration, back in 1243.

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · 2d

But we do know that much of the exterior we see today is the product of William Burn’s 19th century restorations.

Inside, you’ll find the awe-inspiring1910s Thistle Chapel, a chapel of the Order of the Thistle.

1

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · 2d

This building was originally built in the 14th century and continued to be expanded into the 16th century.

It has suffered damages and restorations and countless changes that can be difficult to date exactly.

1

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · 2d

It did hold the title of cathedral from 1633 to 1638 and again 1661 to 1689, but is now called anything from St Giles Cathedral to St Giles Kirk to just simply the High Kirk.

1

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · 2d

Edinburgh’s most beautiful building?

One of the most stunning Gothic buildings along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh is St Giles.

Though it is often referred to as a cathedral, it is actually a High Kirk, meaning it’s a parish church of the Church of Scotland.

1 2 5

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · 5d

When we talk about witches today, you might picture a tall pointy hat, a broomstick, even green skin. 🧙

But these fantastical depictions of ‘witches’ are far from the historical truth. #ScottishWitchTrials #WitchTrials

1

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · 15d

Grab your rowan crosses and rosemary candles, and prepare yourself for a proper, traditional Scottish autumn.

Here are 13 haunted things to do in Edinburgh this autumn. 🎃

13 Haunted Things to Do in Edinburgh This Halloween

Looking for Halloween things to do in Edinburgh? We’ve made a list of the best haunted activities in Edinburgh, from ghost walks to dark history tours.

www.mercattours.com

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · 15d

And just like that, it’s officially autumn in Edinburgh 🍂
📍Edinburgh Castle, seen from Princes Street Gardens
#Scotland

Edinburgh Castle as seen from Princes Street Gardens, positioned above orange, yellow and green trees.

1 1

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · Sep 1

👻 Visit the haunted Blair Street Underground Vaults

These are the most haunted Edinburgh vaults, steeped in centuries of history. You can visit them on either a history or ghost tour, depending on your interests

the Blair Street Underground Vaults in Edinburgh, stone rooms and corridors lit by candles and featuring arching doorways and ceilings

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · Sep 1

🏰 Take in the history of the city before searching for ghosts at Edinburgh Castle

Do a Secrets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile tour and then spend the afternoon walking the ancient castle ground. You never know what you might find

Edinburgh Castle as seen from Princes Street Gardens, surrounded by red autumn trees

1 1

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · Sep 1

🪦 Visit a haunted graveyard

Our favourite is Canongate Kirkyard, but Greyfriars Kirkyard is a close second. Learn about their dark stories (ehem...body snatchers) on a ghost tour

the Canongate Mercat Cross in Canongate Kirkyard, a raven alighting from its pedestal and surrounded by fallen leaves

Greyfriars Graveyard in autumn, with fallen leaves and orange trees surrounding the graves

1

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · Sep 1

And as it's September (and therefore spooky season), here's a list of things to do in Edinburgh this autumn:

1

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · Sep 1

Soon, Edinburgh will look like this again 🍂

📍Canongate Kirkyard, Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh Castle

1

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · Aug 22

The Witches' Well is a memorial to those accused during the Scottish Witch Trials, found just before the entrance to Edinburgh Castle. 🏰

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · Aug 19

"...it’s still about one storyteller sharing a cracking tale with a group of strangers from all over the world.”

We're thrilled to be celebrating 40 years of storytelling. 🧡

Telling Edinburgh’s story: Mercat Tours on 40 years of showcasing the capital’s history

“Their experiences are real and they need to be listened to, respected and acknowledged” – Kat Brogan, MD

www.scotsman.com

1

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · Aug 14

Ever wondered what Edinburgh’s landmarks looked and sounded like 150 years ago?

In honour of Sir Walter Scott’s birthday, we’re recreating this 1880s photograph of the Scott Monument and comparing it to today. #Edinburgh

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · Aug 7

Like Paris, Edinburgh has an underground system of tunnels beneath its streets.

Unlike Paris, they aren't catacombs but vaults.

1

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · Jul 23

Sometimes, it’s like Edinburgh hasn’t changed at all over the centuries.

Stand at Edinburgh Castle and you can picture the centuries of sieges, conquests and royals.

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · Jul 15

📍St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh

Fun fact: despite its name, St Giles' is not a cathedral but rather a parish church of the Church of Scotland. It's also known as the High Kirk. It did serve as a cathedral at various points in its 900-year history.

A 19th-century photograph of the inside of St Giles' Cathedral, featuring vaulted ceilings and a stained-glass window.

A modern-day photo of the inside of St Giles' Cathedral, featuring vaulted ceilings and a stained-glass window.

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · Jul 11

The Blair Street Underground Vaults have a long history, hidden away beneath the streets of the city centre.

After they were built in the 1780s, they were swiftly abandoned by the legitimate businesses of the area and taken over by everyone from criminals to the city’s poor.

1

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · Jul 10

The Cowgate area of Edinburgh used to be known as 'Little Ireland.'

In the 19th century, it was home to a large number of Irish immigrants, where it got its name.

At one point, some of the poorest citizens even lived in the Blair Street Underground Vaults, which you can still visit today.

A street sign on a sandstone building that reads ‘Blackfriars Street’ and underneath, a smaller signed that reads ‘Little Ireland’.

Reposted by Mercat Tours

The Welcoming Edinburgh @welcomingedinburgh.bsky.social · Jul 7

Our third @mercattours.bsky.social‬ tour went from cobbled closes to castle views! We wandered the Royal Mile, heard stories from guide Mally, and ended at Edinburgh Castle. Huge thanks to Mercat Tours for making it happen through their Our Stories, Your City project. 🏰

#ourstoriesyourcity

1 1

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · Jul 4

In honour of this week’s new graduates, these are the first women to graduate from Edinburgh Uni. 🎉

Women first enrolled in 1869, but the university did not award women degrees until 1893!! 😤

1

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · Jul 2

There's nothing quite like a genuine, overly dramatic y2k advert 💀

1

Mercat Tours @mercattours.bsky.social · Jul 1

Exactly 100 years after it was reconstructed, we began using the Mercat Cross as the start point for all our tours.

4 decades on and we’re still following in the footsteps of the city’s original caddies.