New business for partners in crime
0 - 0 • Published 19 Feb 2009 06:25
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A MUSSELBURGH man is taking on two of the 19th century"s deadliest criminals in a new business venture, telling the story of notorious body snatchers Burke and Hare.
John Baxter, of Pinkie Terrace, has set up his own history tour company detailing the lives of the "West Port Murderers" who killed as many as 17 people to profit from selling their corpses.
With the official launch night of "West Port Tours" at the beginning of next month, the 22-year-old along with his business partner in crime Stuart Nicoll, has announced plans for the novel project.
'I have always had an interest in the history of Edinburgh and the story of Burke and Hare was one of particular fascination - I found out that other ghost tour companies don"t really cover it in detail,' said John.
'It has been a year and a half long process, with research and planning, and now we are both really looking forward to seeing it all come together.
'Hopefully in a year"s time we will be one of the most popular and successful tour companies in Edinburgh.'
William Burke and William Hare met in 1827 in Edinburgh and developed a murderous partnership - selling their victims" bodies to Dr Robert Knox, an anatomist who worked in the city"s medical college.
Two years later, on January 28, more than 25,000 people attended the hanging of Burke in the Grassmarket after Hare testified against him and got off Scot free. Today, Burke"s skeleton can be seen at the city"s Surgeons" Hall along with his death mask, as well as the life mask of Hare.
John, a former Musselburgh Grammar head boy, currently works as a tour guide at Mary King"s Close in Edinburgh and previously worked at Prestongrange Industrial Heritage Museum.
"The Burke and Hare Murder Tour" will start at the High Court on the Royal Mile, and groups will be being guided around the areas and streets where the pair lived, before heading to the Grassmarket where Burke was hanged.
For more information visit www.westporttours.com.
This article appeared in East Lothian Courier 19 Feb 09
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