History
The Grassmarket was, from 1477 to 1911, one of Edinburgh's main markets for horse and cattle. It was also a setting for public executions.
A popular story in Edinburgh is that of Maggie Dickson, a fishwife from Musselburgh who was hanged in the Grassmarket in 1728 for murdering her own baby. After the hanging, her body was taken back to Musselburgh in a coffin. However, on the way there she awoke. Under Scots Law she had served her punishment. Only later were the words "until dead" added to the sentence of hanging. It was also to some extent seen as divine intervention, and so she was allowed to go free. In later life (and legend) she was thereafter referred to as Half-Hangit Maggie. There is now a pub named after Maggie situated on the Grassmarket.
For most of its history the Grassmarket was one of the poorer areas of the city. This was reflected in a number of hostels (including the Salvation Army) for the homeless which existed here until the 1980s. From the 1980s property prices started to rise sharply.
The area is, and always has been, dominated by a series of public houses. In recent years many have become more family-friendly, and include dining areas. The council has recently further encouraged this to spill onto the pavements, giving a more European atmosphere to the space.
Read more about this topic: Grassmarket
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