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Execution site

The Maiden

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

Scotland's own beheading machine.

The Maiden was a beheading machine used in Edinburgh from 1564 to 1710, an early version of the guillotine. More than 120 people were executed with it, including the Earl of Morton in 1581.

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When
Used 1564–1710
Where
55.9470, -3.1890
Group
Gibbets & executions

Visiting

The National Museum of Scotland is free and open daily.

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