The Scottish museum home to a book made from a notorious killer's skin

Anyone at all familiar with Edinburgh will know that it is infamous for its gruesome history. From the hundreds of women who were killed in the city's witch trials to the Black Death outbreak that is said to have killed up to half of its population in the 17th century, it is safe to say

Anyone at all familiar with Edinburgh will know that it is infamous for its gruesome history.

From the hundreds of women who were killed in the city's witch trials to the Black Death outbreak that is said to have killed up to half of its population in the 17th century, it is safe to say that Edinburgh wasn't always such a nice place to live.

Perhaps no two people are more synonymous with the capital's dark past that William Burke and William Hare. If you are unfamiliar with the names, they were two murderers who killed at least 16 victims over a period of 10 months in 1828. The pair would then sell the bodies to anatomist Robert Knox for use in his anatomy school in Surgeons Square. The duo were eventually caught, with Hare betraying his partner in exchange for immunity.

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Burke was soon hanged and his corpse was dissected. His skeleton was later displayed at the Anatomical Museum of Edinburgh Medical School where it remains to this day.

Even more gruesomely, a book was bound using the infamous killer's skin. This unique (and grisly) object still exists to this day, and can be seen on display at the Surgeons' Hall Museums in the capital.

The cover of the book reads 'Burkes skin pocket book', while on the back there is an inscription that states 'Executed 28 Jan 1829'. Next to the book, there is a plastic cast of Burke's head made immediately after his execution.

The History of Surgery Museum at the Surgeons' Hall Museums is also home to a number of other fascinating exhibits that trace key dates in Scotland’s surgical advances. Among the highlights are an interactive dissection table and one of the largest and most historic pathology collections in the world.

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If you're interested in seeing the infamous skin book, or in learning more about Scotland's history with medicine, the Surgeons' Hall Museums is a must-see. It is located in the centre of Edinburgh, around a 10-minute walk from Princes Street.

More information can be found on the Surgeons' Hall Museums website.

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