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A black and white drawing of old fashioned handcuffs against a dark pink background.

Crime and Punishment.

Like True Crime or your history with a side of crime and punishment? Then this is the section for you! Find Points of Interest or Reviews of places such as prisons, execution sites or places and things related to historical crimes.
TW reviews will likely include mentions of crime, executions and/or death.

Points of Interest.

The  Last Public Execution Site, Edinburgh.

 

In Edinburgh, on the wall on the corner of George IV bridge and the Lawnmarket is a plaque which reads, "Site of the last public execution in Edinburgh". The site of the gallows is marked by three brass plates set at the edge of the pavement in front of this notice. George Bryce, the Ratho murderer, was executed here on 21st June 1864 , the last public execution in Edinburgh." George Bryce was hanged for the murder of Jeanie Seaton but unfortunately the rope hadn't been measured correctly by the hangman Thomas Askern. This botched execution led to all future hangings in Edinburgh being done behind closed doors.
Whilst this spot is a stop on some of the fantastic guided tours, many will walk past without knowing what happened there.

Plaque marking the site of the last public execution in Edinburgh.
The three brass plates mentioned in the text on a slab floor showing the site of the last public execution in Edinburgh.
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