Greyfriars Kirkyard Edinburgh

I love old cemeteries. They were so graphic about death. None of this "asleep" or in the arms of Jesus.
Greyfriars Bobby is here too. Probably the world's most famous dog. It brings a tear to the eye to read his story, or watch the film.

Greyfriars Kirkyard is a fascinating and atmospheric cemetery in Edinburgh.
It is known for its beautiful tombstones and historic significance, the kirkyard is the final resting place of several notable figures, including the famous Greyfriars Bobby, a loyal dog who guarded his owner’s grave.

The site is both eerie and enchanting, with its winding paths and ancient gravestones providing a serene escape from the bustling city. The unique Gothic architecture of Greyfriars Kirk adds to the charm, making it a great spot for photography and reflection.

Guided tours often share captivating stories about the history of the cemetery and its residents, including connections to the Harry Potter series, as J.K. Rowling drew inspiration from some of the names found here.

Overall, Greyfriars Kirkyard is a must-visit for history buffs and anyone looking to experience a piece of Edinburgh's rich past in a hauntingly beautiful setting. 👻

The story of Bobby was the most heart wrenching, yet precious story. I was so exited to see his wee grave. Bring a stick to lay on his grave. AND Tom Riddles grave was also there(aka Lord Voldemort)! This was the coolest cemetery I’ve seen. So old and ornate. I would ABSOLUTELY recommend taking a stroll through when in Edinburgh! It’s free to get in.

The Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery Edinburgh totally worths a visit! It’s nice to stroll around the old graves from which the writer of Harry Potter borrowed some names for the books’s characters. It’s in central location and it’s free to visit. There is also a statue for Bobby the dog which stayed for 14 years by his owner’s grave. Recommend it!

The cemetery here was absolutely beautiful. Some of the gravestones where Rowling pinched names for Harry Potter were tricky to find, but had an amazing time exploring either way!

Apart from looking for the names which inspired JK Rowling's characters, this place offers much more - some of the tombstones are very elaborate and offer a glimpse into the past of the interred. The graveyard covers almost 500 years with the oldest graves from XVI century.

Open to all, frequently visited, touristic attraction, especially because of the names that inspired some character names in Harry Potter.

If you walk into the Kirk you will have a lovely visit as well. Beautiful in the inside!

In front if the kirk there is a monument for Bobby the dog, who stayed by his passed away owner's grave for 14 years!

Absolutely beautiful!! Came here with City of the Dead tours and on my own the next day, lovely and peaceful — I'd love to see it in the autumn time 🥰

I love old cemeteries. I know NOTHING about Harry Potter but Tom Riddles’ Grave is here. Character inspiration from father or son? They are both buried in the same spot so who knows. This is a beautiful cemetery. There is an excellent chance to see the Flodden Wall here. The I tension of the wall was to protect the city. You can also see a good example of cages over graves to deter grave robbing.

Highly recommended for Harry Potter fans and history nerds. The church is the starting point for some modern religious movements and memorial spot for Bobby, a loyal police dog. The cemetery is full of names of important figures which inspired the name of the characters in Harry Potter series. I spotted Potter, Black, McGonnagal, Tom Riddel, Elizabeth Moodie, and more❤

The most interesting graveyard I have seen ever. We had a tour guide with us when we visited the Greyfriars kirkyard and learned a lot about the history surrounding it. Apparently, it’s a big inspiration for some of Harry Potter’s character names.

It's an interesting place for Harry Potter fans. It's a beautiful functioning church with a big cemetery. This is where JK Rowling got the inspiration for several names in the "Harry Potter" series.Names like McGonagall, Potter, Thomas Riddell and several others can be found here. There is a constant flow of tourists, who came to visit this place on their own and also oganised groups. Everything is very well organised but you need to look carefully to find the gravestones.

Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh is a serene graveyard surrounding the historic Greyfriars Kirk. With its tranquil garden, iconic dog statue honoring Greyfriars Bobby, and historic gravestones, it offers visitors a peaceful retreat steeped in history and folklore. Greyfriars Kirkyard also holds a special connection to the Harry Potter series, as it is said to have inspired the names of several characters

Absolutely fantastic locale. For anyone interested in the history of the place, I don't normally recommend tours but for this they'll fill you in on little details you maybe never read about previously. Like for example, STAY ON THE PATHS, there are about 700 headstones here but records show of over 250,000 bodies poorly buried on site. A few weeks back an entire human skull came to the surface...

I would recommend going once in the day and then also again at night. If your lucky you can get some pictures that are out of this world. Also, that's when the atmosphere really SHINES. It's pretty spooky 😲

Is there such a thing as having a favorite graveyard? This is mine!🪦🖤

Such a stunning place, I’m not sure what else to say about it! The tombstones date very far back and are literal works of art. It’s peaceful, quiet, and apparently very haunted.

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.☺
A must-see, in Edinburgh.

Very beautiful graveyard with many old tombstones. It is also poplar among Harry Potter fans for Thomas Riddell grave.

Such an amazing graveyard and Kirk. Famous of course for Greyfriars Bobby and names synonymous with the Harry Potter books. The stonework here on the tombs is extraordinary and you could easily spend a few hours here. There are also parts of the Flodden Wall through the graveyard and simply stunning views of Edinburgh Castle.

i LOVE cemeteries and my god was this stunning and peaceful . if you use ♿I could not use mine I had to use a cane and rest the next day

A beautiful old graveyard full of history and stories. Very well kept and easy to access. I love the links with JK Rowlings.

Fantastically gothic surroundings and wheelchair friendly however can be steep in places whether going up or down.
If you're a Harry Potter fan there are x4 interesting graves to look out for and the search is really fun.
Be mindful to stick to the paths and don't walk on the grass as you don't want to disturb what lies literally 3 inches or less underneath.
Oh and also be mindful that you're sharing the space with many unseen residents where they can and often do make you aware of their presence.