Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Edinburgh John Livingston's Tomb

John Livingston's Tomb

Nestled among the living residents is the final resting place of an apothecary plague victim.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Added By
SEANETTA ALLSASS
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  Snowdrop68 / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

John Livingston was an apothecary who was living in what was considered the outskirts of Edinburgh during the middle of the 17th century. Unfortunately for him, this was during a period of time that was rife with pestilence and disease.

It didn't help matters that Livingston's occupation brought him closer to people who were ill and seeking his expertise. What's more, it was the custom of health officials to take the infected outside the city walls to avoid further contamination. He himself fell victim to the Black Death in 1645 and passed away at the age of 53.

Livingston is today the sole occupant of this burial plot, as it was his residence for a very short period of time. (Records show he purchased the property in 1636.) The out-of-the-ordinary particulars as to how he is the sole inhabitant may have to do with the practice of burying plague victims where they perished.

Today, Livingston's resting place is a charming enclosed courtyard with lush greenery and a bench to sit on and reflect on one's good fortunes. The inscribed headstone is marked with an epitaph with a Latin inscription: Mors patet; Hora Latet: "Death is sure; the hour obscure."

Related Tags

Gravestones Burial Places Tombs Apothecaries Plague Graves

Know Before You Go

The grave is situated not far from the aptly named "Holy Corner" (due to the presence of three churches) at Bruntsfield Place, in the area that is known as Morningside. The property belongs to the city council and there is a gate that may be locked. It is best viewed during the daylight hours so you can read the tombstone and accompanying plaque.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

SEANETTA

Edited By

Mom0ja, Snowdrop68

  • Mom0ja
  • Snowdrop68

Published

July 12, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
John Livingston's Tomb
1 Chamberlain Rd
Edinburgh, Scotland
United Kingdom
55.934283, -3.206089
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Bore Stane

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Merchiston Tower

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Bruntsfield Links

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Scotland

Places 184
Stories 7

Nearby Places

The Bore Stane

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Merchiston Tower

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Bruntsfield Links

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Scotland

Places 184
Stories 7

Related Places

  • Grave of Anders Celsius.

    Uppsala, Sweden

    Tomb of Anders Celsius

    A small church in Uppsala hides the grave of a renowned 18th-century astronomer.

  • The grave itself is overgrown with agave, poison ivy, and lots of other sharp pointy objects, so wear protective clothing!

    Sanibel, Florida

    Grave of Captain Oliver Bowen

    The bizarre story of the mysterious death and hidden treasure of one of Sanibel Island's early homesteaders.

  • Darby’s Bed.

    Snugborough, Ireland

    Darby's Bed

    A Neolithic passage tomb said to have sheltered two legendary Irish lovers.

  • Peggy Guggenheim and her dogs’ graves.

    Venice, Italy

    Peggy Guggenheim's Grave

    The only museum with its curator—and her pets—buried inside.

  • Alice Paul and other feminist mourners stand at Inez Milholland’s grave.

    Lewis, New York

    Inez Milholland's Grave

    A feminist who put a pretty face on suffrage when she rode a horse through the Capitol.

  • Governor Hunt’s pyramid tomb.

    Phoenix, Arizona

    Governor Hunt's Pyramid Tomb

    The unusual burial monument of Arizona's first governor.

  • The tombstone on the wall

    Panaji, India

    Dona Paula's Tombstone

    Legends of adultery, love affairs, and charity swirl around this mysterious 17th-century Portuguese woman.

  • Geneva, Illinois

    Easy Chair Grave

    This carved armchair marks the final resting place for two pals in the Chicago suburbs.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.