Dundees Turbulent History - from Witchcraft Trials to votes for women
A friendly, guided walk covering the sieges, crimes, disasters and upheaval affecting Dundee and its resilient people down the centuries. Meeting at the fountains in City Square, Dundee, the site of the long-lost St Clement’s Church and Graveyard, we will cover more than 400 years of turbulent Scottish history as we walk.
Scroll down to read more and to find out details of where to meet for this tour.
This tour covers a very difficult period, for the city and people of Dundee. As we walk the streets, you will hear stories of devastating invading armies as well as witchcraft persecution and executions - remembered by many Dundonians to this day.
The persecution of women and some men for witchcraft, swept Europe and affected our own city. Though records are often sparse, we are able to discuss the case of Grissel Jaffray, the last woman put to death in Dundee for witchcraft, in 1669.
Dundee Town House, demolished in 1932 after 200 years on the site. For many years it was also the city prison.
Crime, often driven by abject poverty and alcohol use, blighted many lives. Theft could send someone to Australia for several years. Debt could land them in the newly - built prison at Bell Street and ill health often placed them in the New Howff Cemetery opened next door.
At Dundee Prison men were publicly executed in the 1800's, watched by thousands.
The last man hanged at Dundee in 1889 was William Henry Bury. There is a reasonable theory that he may have been the infamous Jack the Ripper.
Typical, determined, women of the Suffragette movement. The Dundee Suffragettes were the first in Scotland to go on hunger strike - at Dundee Prison in Bell Street.
Though the New Howff Cemetery in Bell Street/ Constitution Street has long been built over, there are some fascinating and moving stories to hear. Your Guide will show you traces of the memorials and actual crypts which remain to be seen - if you know where to look.
This one photo, from around 1893, says much of life in Dundee in late Victorian days. The wealthy gentlemen in the foreground seem unaware the barefoot child standing next to them. We discuss life for the poorer classes in particular, as we walk.
We cover a little-known disaster which took many lives in the city centre and finish in the ancient Howff Graveyard. Here, we consider Dundee’s connection to the Slave Trade and the persecution of ordinary folk for Witchcraft. This is an amazing venue and there is a specialised tour dedicated to The Howff, which can also be booked with Dundee Waterfront Walks.
Tour details
The tour is around 1.25 miles (2011 metres) in distance and lasts for approximately two hours. Please wear suitable footwear for a walk on cobbles, up stairways and around gravestones etc.
Tours will go ahead irrespective of the weather. Please do take care to dress accordingly. You must have on stout waterproof footwear for your own comfort and safety. We will be walking on fairly good cobbled paths much of the time, but will be on grass or earth at gravesides, at other times. Dundee is situated at the Tay estuary, leading to the North Sea and the weather is changeable, however, it is the sunniest city in Scotland.
The terrain is very varied and there are a number of roads to cross. There are significant staircases to climb and gravesides to access across grassland. Accordingly, whist we would very much like to make everyone welcome, this tour may not be suitable for those with mobility issues. Potential guests should please be sure to investigate this for themselves, prior to booking, as we would not wish anyone to be disappointed.
Due to the often-difficult subject matter, parents may wish to consider whether or not they would wish their children to attend. In our view the tour is not suitable for young children.
Please note that your tour ticket price does not entitle you to entry to any of the attractions which we will view or discuss. We would however be glad to recommend that you do try to visit or investigate them for yourselves. Tour tickets are for sale online only. Sorry no refunds after ticket purchase.
Meet in the City Square
We meet at the fountains in City Square, Dundee DD1