Travel Journal - Day 3
Date: Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Quote: "Collect moments, not things."
Location: Dean Village, Royal Mile and other spots around Edinburgh
Weather: Absolutely Beautiful. The sun shine the whole day.
Activity: Wandered around Dean Village for the first part of the day. Followed the Water of Leith Pathway again to the Modern Art Museum and had lunch there. Decided to head back to Prince’s Street to catch a few more spots on the Hop On-Off Tour.
The Last Drop
The Last Drop is situated on Grassmarket which was one of Edinburgh’s main market places, formed under the 1477 ordinance of King James III. Used as a gathering point for market traders and cattle drovers, the Grassmarket was traditionally a place of taverns, hostelries and temporary lodgings. The market closed in 1911.
Around 1660 the Grassmarket become a noted place for public hangings continued on an almost daily basis until 4th February 1784, the last person being James Andrews, a robber. Last drop is said to be a reference to the last drink taken by prisoners before they were hanged, but likely to be a rather more grim reference to their own last drop through the scaffold trapdoor.
On the Spot Many Martyrs and Covenanters Died For The Protestant Faith
So, my thoughts … crowded market area … people eating, drink and enjoying the day. But do they realize while they are sitting on the “X” how many people actually died there??
