A Pact with the Devil

In the southern corner of Old Calton Buriel Ground is the cylindrical stone tomb of David Hume (1711-76). Hume was a noted atheist, prompting rumours that he had made a Faustian pact with the devil; after his death his friends held a vigil at the tomb for eight nights, burning candles and firing pistols into the darkness lest evil spirits should come to bear away his soul.