Hangman's Crag

The road below goes through The Windy Gowl and it was certainly an appropriate name for it today as the strong wind blew along the flanks of Arthur's Seat. The little hill below on the right is called Girnal Crag with the steep Hangman's Crag dropping into Duddingston Loch, the only remaining natural freshwater loch in Edinburgh.

Today it seems so peaceful and few people passing by would be aware of a sad event during Charles 11's reign when one of the city's hangmen committed suicide by jumping off the crag into the water. After pestering his father for his share of the estate he had spent it recklessly and became destitute so took on the unpopular job as Public Hangman. One version says that in spite of his protests he was forced by the city magistrates to hang one of his own companions and consequently he became extremely depressed so jumped off the crag. Another story states that he became fairly rich from his fees and disguised himself in fine clothes but one day he was recognised as being the despised hangman and chased by a mob into Holyrood Park and committed suicide by jumping off the steep side of the loch.