Burkers And Bodysnatchers Murky Medical Doings

Learn of the murky medical doings of the surgeons, students and professional resurrectionists in the city from the 1800s to the passing of the Anatomy Act in 1832 which put an end to the theft of bodies from cemeteries and legalised the supply of corpses to medical research.

Featuring the great riot of Hospital Row, when Dr Andrew Moir’s anatomy theatre was torn to the ground by angry citizens.

Professional bodysnatchers like Andrew Merrilees, who operated all over Scotland, were paid by surgeons to acquire cadavers for their students to practice on.

After the Burke and Hare scandal in Edinburgh, people were convinced that doctors and murderers were in league, old folks, gypsies, little children were all prey to their machinations.

These stories and many more will be dug up on the Burkers and Bodysnatchers tour, another in the serious of Murder History/True Crime tours.

Meet by Robert Bruce's statue, outside Marischal College.