Edinburgh Curiosities

The answers are all in an expanded and revised edition of Edinburgh Curiosties. A Capital Cornucopia, and combines both volumes. Thomson and Coghill have trawled through the city's characters to bring together a collection of the men and women who scandalised and inspired the city over the years. But in addition to the notorious, like the Porteous Riot, Deacon William Brodie - the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's Jekyll and Hyde - or Madeleine Smith, they look at other lesser known, but nevertheless fascinating, people and events. Stories you've maybe heard something about but don't know the detail. They also float intriguing speculation like the possibility of members of Ned Kelly's gang carrying out armed robberies in Leith after the bushranger was hanged in Australia. The result is a fascinating dip into Edinburgh's rich and varied past, which will appeal to natives and visitors alike.