Greyfriars Kirkyard is a free, open-access historic graveyard in Edinburgh’s Old Town, generally open daily from dawn until dusk. Founded in 1561, it holds the loyal Greyfriars Bobby, the grim Covenanters Prison and the headstones that reportedly inspired Harry Potter character names. It is one of the city’s most atmospheric free attractions, with optional paid guided tours for the full story.
Wrapped around the 17th-century Greyfriars Kirk, this rambling churchyard is one of the most storied patches of ground in Scotland. Crumbling table tombs, carved skulls and grand mausoleums crowd a green space just off George IV Bridge, and yet almost everyone arrives for one of three reasons: a devoted little dog, a brutal chapter of Scottish history, or a boy wizard.
It sits right in the heart of the Old Town, a couple of minutes from the Grassmarket and directly across the road from the National Museum of Scotland, which makes it easy to fold into a wider day of sightseeing. J.K. Rowling wrote much of the early Harry Potter series in cafes nearby, and the kirkyard’s weathered names have since turned it into a pilgrimage site for fans.
This guide covers what it costs (nothing to walk in), when to go, how long to allow, the graves and corners worth finding, and the optional guided tours if you would rather have an expert bring the place to life after dark.#
Top Tickets
# Greyfriars Kirkyard Guided Tour
# Greyfriars Kirkyard & Edinburgh Castle Private Guided Tour
How to Visit: Tours & Experiences
Greyfriars Kirkyard is completely free to enter, and you can wander in off Candlemaker Row or George IV Bridge any day of the week without booking a thing. The one part you cannot access alone is the Covenanters Prison at the far end, which is kept locked and opened only for guided groups. So the tours below are optional. They are the way to go deeper if you want the history, the ghost stories and someone to point out the headstones you would otherwise walk straight past. If you are happy exploring on your own, skip to the highlights section further down.
Greyfriars Kirkyard Guided Tour
This walking tour is led by a local guide who weaves together the graveyard’s history, its most famous residents and the darker tales of body-snatchers and the notorious Mackenzie Poltergeist. It typically runs around an hour and, crucially, includes access to the locked Covenanters Prison, which you cannot reach on your own. It is a good fit if you want context and atmosphere without committing a whole evening.
Price: Free entry to the kirkyard; the guided tour is from around GBP 15 per person.
Greyfriars Kirkyard & Edinburgh Castle Private Guided Tour
This private tour pairs the kirkyard with a guided walk up to Edinburgh Castle, joining two of the Old Town’s headline sights into one outing with a guide to yourselves. You get the graveyard’s stories plus the sweep of Scottish history on the castle esplanade, at your own pace. It works well for families or small groups who want a tailored half-day rather than a fixed-schedule walk.
Price: Free entry to the kirkyard; the private tour is from around GBP 150 per group. Check whether Edinburgh Castle admission is included or booked separately.
Private Greyfriars Kirkyard History Tour
For a deeper, story-led visit, this private tour is run by an award-winning local guide who brings the graveyard’s characters vividly to life, from martyrs and merchants to the grave-robbers Burke and Hare. It is intimate, flexible and heavy on genuine history rather than jump scares, which suits anyone who wants the real story behind the stones. Being private, it can be tailored to your interests and pace.
Price: Free entry to the kirkyard; the private history tour is from around GBP 130 per group.
Greyfriars Kirkyard Opening Hours
Greyfriars Kirkyard is free and generally open every day from dawn until dusk, roughly 8am until evening in summer and closing earlier in winter. The locked Covenanters Prison at the rear is accessible only on a guided tour. The kirk itself keeps separate, shorter visitor hours.
Daily: open access, approximately dawn to dusk. Because it is a working churchyard rather than a ticketed attraction, there are no turnstiles and no fee, but the gates can be closed at night. Aim to visit in daylight if you want to read the inscriptions and find the Harry Potter headstones; evenings are best experienced on a guided tour, when the atmosphere does most of the work.
Best Time to Visit
The quietest times are early on a weekday morning, before the tour groups and Harry Potter fans arrive. Late afternoon light is beautiful for photos, while evenings belong to the ghost tours. Weekends, the August festival season and rainy days off the nearby museum tend to be busiest.
Mornings are calm enough to have whole corners to yourself, which is when the place feels most like a genuine 400-year-old burial ground rather than a tourist stop. If you are chasing the eerie, atmospheric side, a guided evening walk is the way to see it. Spring and autumn give you softer light and fewer crowds than peak summer, when Edinburgh as a whole is heaving.
How Long Does a Visit Take?
Most visitors spend 30 to 45 minutes wandering Greyfriars Kirkyard on their own. Harry Potter fans hunting specific headstones might linger closer to an hour, while a guided tour with the Covenanters Prison usually runs about 60 to 90 minutes.
A self-guided loop to see Greyfriars Bobby’s grave, the main mausoleums and the Potter-name headstones is easily done in half an hour or so. Add time if you want to read inscriptions, take photographs or simply sit on a bench and soak up the quiet. Its compact size makes it easy to pair with the museum opposite or a stroll down to the Grassmarket.
What to See at Greyfriars Kirkyard
The highlights are Greyfriars Bobby’s grave and the nearby statue, the Covenanters Prison, the headstones bearing Harry Potter character names such as Thomas Riddell, and the grand Martyrs’ Monument. Together they cover the graveyard’s loyal-dog legend, its dark history and its literary fame.
Greyfriars Bobby
The most-loved story here is that of Bobby, a Skye Terrier said to have guarded his owner’s grave for 14 years until his own death in 1872. His small headstone stands just inside the kirkyard, usually dressed with sticks and flowers left by visitors. Just outside the gates on Candlemaker Row, the bronze Greyfriars Bobby statue is one of Edinburgh’s most photographed landmarks.
The Covenanters Prison
At the rear of the kirkyard, this locked enclosure held around 1,200 Covenanters imprisoned in appalling conditions in 1679 after the Battle of Bothwell Brig. It is also the reputed haunt of the Mackenzie Poltergeist, tied to the tomb of Sir George Mackenzie, and is one of the most notorious spots on the city’s ghost tours. You can only enter it as part of a guided visit.
The Harry Potter Headstones
Several weathered graves carry names that Harry Potter fans will recognise, most famously Thomas Riddell, echoing the villain Tom Riddle. Others point to William McGonagall and to an Elizabeth Moodie often linked to Mad-Eye Moody. J.K. Rowling wrote nearby, and the kirkyard has become a key stop on any Harry Potter tour of Edinburgh.
The Monuments and Mausoleums
Beyond the headline sights, the kirkyard is lined with elaborate 17th and 18th-century tombs, carved skulls, hourglasses and winged souls, plus the striking Martyrs’ Monument to the Covenanters. It is also where the National Covenant was signed in 1638, giving the grounds a place at the heart of Scottish history that goes far beyond ghost stories.
Is Greyfriars Kirkyard Worth It?
Yes. As a free, atmospheric and genuinely historic graveyard in the middle of the Old Town, it is one of the best-value things to do in Edinburgh. Dog lovers, history buffs and Harry Potter fans all find something here, and pairing it with a guided tour unlocks the locked Covenanters Prison and the full story.
Few free attractions pack this much legend, history and photogenic gloom into such a small space. On its own it is a rewarding half-hour wander; with a guide it becomes one of the city’s most memorable evenings. Combined with the Museum of Edinburgh or the museum across the road, it makes for a full and inexpensive Old Town outing.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Entry is completely free and you do not need to book; only guided tours and the Covenanters Prison carry a charge.
- This is a real, active burial ground, so be respectful, keep to the paths and avoid climbing on tombs.
- The ground is uneven with old stones and gravel, so wear sturdy shoes, especially after rain.
- The Greyfriars Bobby statue is just outside the gates on Candlemaker Row, and rubbing his nose is a tourist habit the council discourages, as it damages the bronze.
- Bring a torch and warm layers for evening tours, and expect the kirkyard to be busiest with Harry Potter fans in the middle of the day.
How to Get to Greyfriars Kirkyard
Greyfriars Kirkyard is on Candlemaker Row in the Old Town, EH1 2QQ, just off George IV Bridge and across from the National Museum of Scotland. From Edinburgh Waverley station it is about a 10-minute walk uphill, and the Royal Mile is only a few minutes north. Numerous Lothian Buses stop on George IV Bridge and around the Grassmarket, with a flat single fare of GBP 2.40 and a day ticket around GBP 6.00, paid by contactless tap. From the airport, take the Edinburgh Trams or airport bus into the city centre, then walk from Princes Street in about 15 minutes. The area is very walkable, with Edinburgh Castle, the Grassmarket and Victoria Street all within 10 minutes on foot. Taxis and ride-hailing can drop off on Candlemaker Row or George IV Bridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Greyfriars Kirkyard free to visit?
Yes. The kirkyard is free and open to the public, with no ticket needed to walk in. Only guided tours and access to the locked Covenanters Prison carry a charge.
What are the opening hours?
The graveyard is generally open daily from dawn until dusk, roughly 8am to early evening in summer and closing earlier in winter. It is an open churchyard rather than a ticketed attraction, so hours can vary.
Where are the Harry Potter graves in Greyfriars Kirkyard?
The best-known is the Thomas Riddell headstone, which inspired the name Tom Riddle. Others linked to the books include William McGonagall and an Elizabeth Moodie. Many visitors find them most easily on a dedicated Harry Potter tour.
Can I see the Covenanters Prison on my own?
No. The Covenanters Prison at the rear of the kirkyard is kept locked and can only be visited as part of a guided tour, which is why many people book one specifically for that access.
Where is Greyfriars Bobby buried?
Bobby’s own small headstone is just inside the kirkyard entrance, close to the gates, and is usually covered in sticks and flowers left by visitors. His famous bronze statue stands just outside on Candlemaker Row.
How long should I spend at Greyfriars Kirkyard?
Most people spend 30 to 45 minutes exploring on their own. A guided tour that includes the Covenanters Prison usually lasts about 60 to 90 minutes.
What else is nearby?
The National Museum of Scotland is directly opposite, the Grassmarket and Victoria Street are just downhill, and the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle are a short walk away, making it easy to combine several sights in one Old Town afternoon.
