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scotianostra · 10 months

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The mysterious coffins of Arthur’s Seat.

I popped into the National Museum of Scotland and captured a few shots of these wee beauties. Nobody knows. the full story about them, who made them and why, but a fair bit work went into, they may lack real craftsmanship, and look a bit "naive", but I think they are pretty cool. They have always fascinated me after I read about them in the Ian Rankin, Inspector Rebus book, The Falls in 2001 In 1836, five boys were hunting rabbits on the north-eastern slopes of Arthur’s Seat, the main peak in the group of hills in Holyrood Park, in a small cave in the crags of the hill they stumbled across seventeen miniature coffins carved in pine and decorated with tinned iron. Carefully arranged in a three-tiered stack, each coffin contained a small wooden figure with painted black boots and individually crafted clothing. At the time of their discovery, some speculated that they were implements of witchcraft; others suggested they were charms used by sailors to ward off death or even mimic burials for those lost at sea. There is also a provocative theory that the little figures are tributes to the seventeen victims of famed Edinburgh serial killers Burke and Hare, as the figures were found just seven years after Burke’s execution. However, all of the figures are dressed in male attire, whereas twelve of Burke and Hare’s victims were female. Interestingly, some of the figures have arms while others have had theirs removed to fit in their coffins, perhaps suggesting they were not originally made to be buried. Allen Simpson and Samuel Menefee (of the University of Edinburgh and the University of Virginia, respectively) carried out a detailed study of the figures in 1994, and have suggested they were adapted from a set of wooden toy soldiers manufactured around the 1790s, but not re-clothed or buried in the cave until the 1830s. But this is really the extent of knowledge about them. There's a great very well researched article on The Fortean in the Archives site here https://aforteantinthearchives.wordpress.com/2010/01/10/the-miniature-coffins-found-on-arthurs-seat/ It's quite a coincidence that I visited today, as it is only three days away from the first published account of the discover, which appeared in the Scotsman on July 16th 1836, said to be three weeks after the boys found them. If you want to read a very well researched article about the coffins check out the Historian Mike dash's web page below. https://mikedashhistory.com/2010/08/31/the-miniature-coffins-found-on-arthurs-seat/

#Edinburgh #Arthur’s Seat #holyrood park #Scotland #scottish #mystery #National Museum of Scotland #my pics

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celticculture · 4 months

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#edinburgh #arthur’s seat #welcome to scotland

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inside-katharina · 2 years

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Hello friend x

#Arthur’s seat #Victoria #scenic magic #our beautiful wildlife #beachlife

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alyslaskeywriter · 7 months

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There she stood, stock still on the edge of the world between the city Rory loved and the sunset-laden sky that was growing pinker by the second, basking in the light that was now touching her as well.

- The Chief, Chapter 16

Made a little pilgrimage to this spot today.

#the chief #Arthur’s seat #Edinburgh #everything the light touches

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daemonstalley · 30 days

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Good morning everyone!

It is 3am! I’m on a coach ride from Edinburgh back home, and I cannot sleep, so have photos!

We did lots - climbed some mountains, some hills, and ate fried food!