Actual Education Interactive Guided Tours

Deacon Brodie - Around the haunts of an eighteenth century playboy
Due Spring 2010

Deacon William Brodie is one of the most interesting characters from Edinburgh's history. It is widely believed that the life of Brodie provided Robert Louis Stevenson with the basis for his book "Jekyll and Hyde". Whether this is true or not could be argued but one this is certain, the 'dual lifestyle' of Deacon William Brodie makes a fascinating story. Brodie was a member of Edinburgh's 'in-crowd' by day and a unsuccesful gambler and criminal by night. This unique Interactive Guided Tour will take you around Edinburgh areas which played a significant role in his life.

This tour is perfect if you are interested in the history of Edinburgh or would like to re-trace some of the locations featured on your own visit to Scotland's historic capital city.

Features

• Over 30 panoramic scenes
• Each image taken has 'full screen' capability
• Each tour takes you around areas of Edinburgh linked to the life and death of Deacon Brodie
• All the important events in Brodie's life are covered
• This tour consists of detailed, interesting text and accompanying audio
• This tour can be used to help you plan your own Deacon Brodie tour

Deacon Brodie Tour 1
The Edinburgh Dandy

Our first tour takes us around the places which helped establish William Brodie as one of the 'beautiful people' of Edinburgh. You will visit Brodie's Close where Francis Brodie's son was born and where the family's business empire was based. You will also visit some of Old Edinburgh's places of entertainment, from the site of Henderson's cockpen in the Grassmarket to the drinking dens of Anchor's Close and Fleshmarket Close.

Deacon Brodie Tour 2
Criminal Activities

We now begin exploring some of the scenes of Willie Brodie's more dangerous side. You will visit the site of Edinburgh's historic Tolbooth in front of the High Kirk of St Giles. Brodie helped break a highwayman by the name of Hay from this infamous jail. The Deacon took Hay to Greyfriars Kirkyard and had him stay inside the mausoleum of Sir George 'Bluidy' Mackenzie. Mackenzie's tomb had long had the reputation of being haunted and this made it the perfect place to keep the wanted man. Boys from the nearby Heriot's school brough Hay food and he was eventually able to escape the city.

Deacon Brodie Tour 3
The End Looms

Alas we have to come to the end of our tour...and also the end of Deacon Brodie's life. We learn about the places where his trial took place and return to the Tolbooth and it's new western extension which is where Deacon William Brodie was hanged for his crimes. Whether he died or not is still open for debate. Rumours soon spread around Edinburgh that wiley Willie had cheated death...

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(Video preview of our "Deacon Brodie - Around the haunts of an eighteenth century playboy" CD-ROM)

(Click the 'play' button to see a slideshow of screenshots from our "Deacon Brodie - Around the haunts of an eighteenth century playboy" CD-ROM)

You may also be interested in the following Interactive Guided Tours;

The Edinburgh's History Collection - Interactive Guided Tours of Edinburgh's Old Town and other Edinburgh topics.