A message from Edinburgh World Heritage:

Join us on Saturday 18 April as we aim to lift the lid on a secret centuries in the making: does a broken gravestone in John Bayne’s mausoleum hide a secret burial vault?

This event is not your average graveyard visit. By repairing a simple flat grave slab, we aim to unlock the mystery of this unique tomb in Scotland’s most famous kirkyard.

How to join:

In person: In Greyfriars Kirkyard, followed by expert talks at Augustine United Church. Book via Eventbrite: https://JohnBayneGreyfriars.eventbrite.com

Online: Catch 10-minute live streams at 11.00am and 11.30am via https://www.facebook.com/edinburghworldheritage

This event is brought to you by Edinburgh World Heritage, the Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard, and the City of Edinburgh Council as part of the Legacies in Stone project. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.

Legacies in Stone will run from January 2026 to January 2029 and support volunteers in investigating and celebrating their unique graveyard heritage. There is a local focus on two Edinburgh-based ‘Friends of’ graveyard groups: the active Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard and a resurrected Friends of Calton Burial Grounds

Beyond Edinburgh, in partnership with the Kirkmichael Trust, the project will connect community groups caring for historic graveyards across Scotland, creating a national network of ‘Friends of’ groups and fostering collaboration, shared learning, and long-term support for burial sites.tigating and celebrating their unique graveyard heritage. There is a local focus on two Edinburgh-based ‘Friends of’ graveyard groups: the active Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard and a resurrected Friends of Calton Burial Ground.