This cannonball embedded in the side of an Edinburgh house once served a surprisingly pedestrian purpose.

This mundane post marks the old location of the city's main postal hub.

The Scottish Reformation leader's grave was paved over and is now a parking lot.

Brass bricks outline the locations of Edinburgh's lost, lively market stalls.

This tiny weathered plot is one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in Scotland.

This Scottish graveyard is the final resting place of the man who inspired the character Ebenezer Scrooge.

Overlooking the burial ground is a tower designed to prevent thieves from snatching the recently deceased.

The 20th-century chapel’s intricate woodwork includes amazing details, most notably angels playing bagpipes.

Touching this 18th-century Scottish philosopher’s toe allegedly conjures good fortune.

Now home to a drinking establishment, this building has a macabre history.

This otherwise ordinary close on the Royal Mile constituted the end of the world for Edinburgh’s poorest residents.

These tiny effigies are believed to represent victims of Edinburgh’s notorious Anatomy Murders.

Possibly the world's smallest museum is home to one exhibit that sheds light on the capital city's dark criminal history.

This early version of the guillotine was used to execute the man responsible for its construction.

Remnants of the 16th-century defensive wall still stand unassumingly within Edinburgh.

The tomb of one of Scotland's bloody historic villains is a magnet for bumbling desecrators.

The most loyal of little dogs, or a Victorian era publicity stunt?

Protecting the dead from opportunistic body snatchers.

The taxidermy remains of the first mammal ever cloned from an adult cell are on display in Edinburgh.

A book bound in the skin of an infamous criminal, along with countless other specimens.

A 18th century graveyard and its astonishing cortege of macabre iconography.

The fountain marks the area where hundreds of accused witches were burned at the stake.

This 17th-century street hidden beneath Edinburgh was once a breeding ground for the black death.

An angelic, yet demonic-looking figurine presides over one of Glasgow's most ancient streets.