Podcast Summary: "Two Girls One Ghost"
Episode 329 - Haunted Pubs of Edinburgh’s Grassmarket
Release Date: July 6, 2025
Hosts: Corinne Vien and Sabrina Deana-Roga
Produced by Sony Music Entertainment
Introduction to Edinburgh’s Grassmarket
In Episode 329, Corinne Vien and Sabrina Deana-Roga delve into the eerie history of Edinburgh's Grassmarket, a locale infamous for its haunted pubs and dark past. The hosts set the stage for a haunted pub crawl, intertwining historical accounts with ghostly legends that permeate the area.
Notable Quote:
Sabrina [00:56]: "Once a bustling medieval marketplace, this square was better known for death than it was for trade. But death doesn't rest here."
Historical Background of Grassmarket
Grassmarket, located beneath the iconic Edinburgh Castle, has a history dating back to 8500 BC. It evolved into Scotland's commercial hub and later became notorious for public executions and witch trials.
Key Historical Points:
- Origins: Settlements since 8500 BC; capital since 1437.
- Grass Market's Role: Weekly cattle trade from 1472 to 1911.
- Public Executions: From 1660 to 1688, over 100 Covenanters were hanged, marking the period known as the "Killing Times."
- Witch Trials: Scotland experienced some of the largest witch hunts, with 3,000 to 4,000 accused and approximately 2,500 executed by 1736.
Notable Quote:
Corinne [16:00]: "The grass market is nestled just beneath the infamous Edinburgh Castle, which we'll have to do a whole episode on that itself."
Notable Haunting Stories and Ghosts
Grassmarket's dark history has birthed numerous ghostly tales. The hosts explore the legends of Maggie Dixon, a woman who survived a hanging, and the infamous Burke and Hare, body snatchers whose spirits are said to roam the pubs.
Key Ghost Stories:
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Maggie Dixon ("Half Hang It Maggie"): Abused and executed for concealing her child's death, Maggie allegedly survived her hanging and now haunts Maggie Dixon's Pub.
Notable Quote:
Sabrina [33:14]: "Maggie was able to take possession of her body. The body was placed into a coffin, loaded onto a cart, and then headed off towards her home of Musselburgh. As the cart is traveling down these cobbled streets, there's a strange sound that the people aboard the cart start to hear..." -
Burke and Hare: Infamous murderers who used Grassmarket pubs to lure and kill victims, their restless spirits are believed to interact with current patrons.
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Maria at Last Drop Bar: A young girl ghost named Maria is said to steal sips from drinks, move objects, and communicate with patrons through playful hauntings.
Notable Quote:
Sabrina [47:44]: "There's a ghost of a young girl who has been named Maria... She is very active. She's living her life just in spectral form."
Maggie Dixon's Miraculous Survival
One of the most chilling stories shared is that of Maggie Dixon, who survived her execution in 1724. After being hanged, Maggie was discovered alive in her coffin, leading to her release and subsequent life as a local legend.
Detailed Account:
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Circumstances: Maggie attempted to conceal her pregnancy and the death of her child, leading to her execution.
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Survival: While transporting her body, the coffin was found moving, revealing Maggie still alive.
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Aftermath: Maggie lived for another 40 years, marrying and raising a family, becoming a revered figure in local lore.
Notable Quote:
Noemi [34:24]: "She's alive after being hanged. And like essentially almost suffocated in what I presume was a horribly poorly ventilated and hot coffin."
Haunted Pub Crawl: Exploring Grassmarket’s Pubs
The hosts virtually tour several haunted pubs, sharing specific ghost stories and eerie occurrences associated with each establishment.
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The Weep Pub:
- Description: Scotland's smallest pub with a quaint, intimate setting.
- Hauntings: While not notoriously haunted, it serves as a starting point for the crawl.
Notable Quote:
Sabrina [28:15]: "The Weep is not famously known for its hauntings, but it deserved an honorable mention." -
Maggie Dixon's Pub:
- Ghost: Maggie Dixon herself is believed to linger, causing soft footsteps and whispers.
- Occurrences: Patrons report feeling watched and objects moving inexplicably.
Notable Quote:
Noemi [42:25]: "It's hard because, like, I understand that Maggie. Like, it's almost like the thing where it's like, when you undergo something traumatic." -
Last Drop Bar:
- Ghost: Maria, a young girl spirit who steals drinks and moves objects.
- Occurrences: Sliding drinks, knocked paintings, and whispers.
Notable Quote:
Sabrina [46:03]: "Maria is active. She's living her life just in spectral form." -
White Hart Inn:
- Age: Established in 1516, making it the oldest licensed pub in Edinburgh.
- Ghosts: Sally Beggs, Jack, and other apparitions linked to the pub’s murderous past.
- Notable Incidents: EVPs capturing names like "Connor," unexplained slamming doors, and ghostly figures in photographs.
Notable Quote:
Noemi [53:34]: "In 2004, an Australian couple took pictures and later discovered an apparition of a translucent man in their photos."
Listener Stories and Experiences
The episode features a heartfelt letter from a young listener, Liam, age seven, who shares his own paranormal encounter. Liam describes encountering a demon called the "windy boy" during a sleepover, highlighting the podcast's influence and the real-life experiences of its audience.
Liam's Story:
- Encounter: Investigating a dark presence at an abandoned house with a friend.
- Experience: Hearing a woman singing, seeing antlers and claws, and feeling a demonic presence.
- Outcome: Escaping the haunted location twice after witnessing the demon.
Notable Quote:
Liam [05:59]: "There was a demon that stops your heart. So I was at a sleepover and me and my friend felt a dark presence."
Conclusion and Final Reflections
Corinne and Sabrina wrap up the episode by reflecting on the rich tapestry of history and hauntings that make Grassmarket a hotspot for paranormal activity. They encourage listeners to share their own ghost stories and experiences, emphasizing the communal aspect of exploring the supernatural.
Notable Quote:
Sabrina [56:15]: "Whether it's murderers, ghosts, or the spirits of the executed, the pubs of Grassmarket Square are places where the past bleeds into the present and spirits aren't just poured from the tap."
Listener Engagement and Community
The hosts invite listeners to join their Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes, and bonus content, fostering a community of paranormal enthusiasts eager to share and explore ghostly tales.
Notable Quote:
Sabrina [59:14]: "We love you all so much. If you have any encounters in any of these pubs, if you can find that ghost photo, if you have encounters with the paranormal just anywhere, globally, in your own home from us, because we haunted you, please email them to us@2girls1ghost.podcastmail.com."
End of Summary