burke & hare, Edinburgh
The discovery of the Burke and Hare murders in 1828 ensured that the duo is forever etched in history. Now, Edinburgh wouldn’t be the same without them.
Where First?
Despite their fame, not everyone has heard of Burke and Hare. If you’re just finding out about this infamous duo, dive into these posts first.
The Full Story
16 victims were murdered at the hands of Burke and Hare, their bodies sold for dissection & profit. This is their story.
Their Final Victim
The discovery of Margaret Docherty’s body on All Hallows Eve led to Burke & Hare’s arrest, but just how was she found?
Making a Killing
Exactly how much money did Burke & Hare make by selling bodies to Dr Knox during their 10 month killing spree?
Have you heard of the Edinburgh Miniature Coffins?
Oh what delights these wee things are, but what exactly was there purpose? Found in a small recess on Arthur’s Seat, could they really linked with Burke & Hare murders? Or even witchcraft ?
discover ‘Auld Reekie’ ~ Burke & Hare’s Edinburgh
bodysnatching & medical schools
Discover why the demand for cadavers was so high in the 19th century.
nor loch, edinburgh
The dark history of a watery wasteland where macabre events played out on its shores.
Greyfriars Kirkyard
Your ultimate guide to Edinburgh’s ‘City of the Dead’ ~ the infamous Greyfriars Kirkyard in the heart of Edinburgh.
white Hart Inn, Edinburgh
Resident ghosts and links with murder ~ did Burke & Hare really visit this haunted pub?
Burke and Hare Rhyme
Chanted by children during the Burke and Hare trial, this rhyme still gets repeated whenever their names are mentioned.
my recommended Burke & Hare Reads ~ Fact & Fiction
The links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I might earn a small commission. No extra cost to you — more detail in my Disclosure Policy .
The Simple Art of Burking
With the Burke & Hare murders came a new murder method, named after the man who invented it… William Burke.
Burke & Hare The Aftermath
what Happened to william hare?
Hare escaped with his life after turning King’s Evidence, but where he went remains a mystery to this very day.
How Much Money Did They Make?
Selling 16 bodies for the anatomist table was incredibly profitable, but how much money did Burke & Hare actually make?
Finding William Burke
Hanged and then dissected, William Burke was body was captured in perpetuity — from his skeleton to books bound in his skin. Here’s where to find what’s left.
Burke & hare weren’t body snatchers
If it’s the real grave robbers you’re after, try these posts.
Does Body Snatching Still Happen?
From canibalism to stealing corpses for company and even — the macabre act of body snatching hasn’t exactly gone away.
famous bodies snatched from the grave
Whether it’s for ransom, medical science, or just because — being famous definitely has its downsides.
the hope street body snatching scandal
Wholesale body snatching at it’s finest — up to 3 adults per barrel, just how many bodies were shipped from Liverpool is anyone’s guess.
The Infamous ‘Merry Andrew’
Dr Knox didn’t just get dead bodies from Burke & Hare… meet Andrew Merrylees, a TRUE Edinburgh bodysnatcher!