Events & Tours

The Covenanters’ Prison Greyfriars Kirkyard Doors Open Days 2026

Saturday September 26th and Sunday September 27th are our annual doors open days at Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh. The Covenanters’ Prison area (which is normally closed to the general public) will be open from 10am to 4pm on these days.

Greyfriars has so much Covenanter history, with many key Covenanter events of the 17th century happening here and many key Covenanter people buried here. The National Covenant was first signed here in 1638, the men who wrote it (Archibald Johnston and Alexander Henderson) are buried here, the Covenanters’ Prison was where 1,200 combatants from the Battle of Bothwell Bridge were held in 1679 and the Martyrs Monument to the men and women who suffered between 1661 and 1688 stands here, in front of the place where many of those executed in Edinburgh are buried. And of course Bluidy Mackenzies tomb is here too.

Come along between 10am and 4pm on the 26th or 27th, the visit is entirely free of charge. We will be available to answer questions about the Kirkyard. Look for us in our green tabards, we love to talk about this place!

More details here.