Historic Edinburgh Cemetery Targeted by Occult Vandalism
The final resting place of one of Scotland's most celebrated Enlightenment thinkers has become the target of disturbing vandalism. The tomb of philosopher David Hume, along with two other memorials at Edinburgh's historic Old Calton burial ground, has been defaced with what has been described as "occult-style paraphernalia" and satanic symbols.
Sinister Discoveries at Historic Site
A tour guide made the alarming discovery while showing visitors around the Category A-listed cemetery. The vandalism included a particularly disturbing drawing of a naked woman pointing a bloodied knife at a baby with a noose around its neck. Coded writings on red electrical tape were found attached to the David Hume mausoleum and two nearby memorial stones.
The guide immediately reported the incident to Edinburgh council, describing the symbols as "satanic" in an email sent on 19 November 2025. Photographs of the damage were shared with authorities, showing the extent of the defacement at this important historical site.
Online Group Claims Responsibility
Further investigation revealed that a group on Telegram, which purports to be responsible for vandalising graves at unnamed cemeteries, posted photographs of the same damage in a now-deleted channel. The group shared additional disturbing drawings, including one of a naked woman grabbing the bloodied head of a baby.
One member of the group responded to these images with the question: "For EH1?" This refers to the Edinburgh postcode covering the historical Old Town area where the cemetery is located. The group also posted photographs of strange items found at the burial ground, including:
- Nails hammered through red candles
- Chalked symbols on memorial surfaces
- Red tape bearing the printed words "anti meta physical front"
Council Response and Security Concerns
Edinburgh council confirmed there was no CCTV covering the affected area and that the incident was not reported to police because the damage was considered temporary. Margaret Graham, the council's culture and communities convener, expressed her dismay at the vandalism.
"I'm appalled that our historic Old Calton burial ground has been vandalised," Graham stated. "As soon as the incident was reported, officers removed it immediately, and there have been no further incidents since."
The tour guide's report to the council became public through a freedom of information request, first reported by the Scotsman newspaper. In their email, the guide wrote: "In case it had yet to be brought to your attention, I was guiding some guests today in the Old Calton cemetery and came upon some disturbing occult style paraphernalia attached to the David Hume mausoleum."
Historical Significance and Recent Controversies
The 18th-century cemetery serves as the final resting place for several notable Scots, including scientist John Playfair, painter David Allan, and of course David Hume himself. Hume's mausoleum was designed by renowned architect Robert Adam, adding to its architectural significance.
Hume's legacy has been subject to recent scrutiny, with his name removed from a tower block in Edinburgh following the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 due to his historical comments on matters of race. This incident adds another layer of controversy surrounding how we remember and protect historical figures' memorials.
Ongoing Security Issues at Cemetery
This is not the first time the cemetery has faced problems. Edinburgh council has been forced to close both the Old Calton burial ground and the nearby New Calton burial ground in the evenings following complaints of antisocial behaviour.
The freedom of information request revealed that in May last year, tour guides had reported "repeated acts of vandalism and aggressive behaviour by groups of teenagers" at the site. The situation had escalated to physical aggression in some cases, including stone throwing directed at staff and visitors.
In response to a complaint last August about the cemetery gates being locked at night, the council defended their decision, stating: "There have been a number of serious assaults and injuries to tourists reported and response policing are not able to continue attending the number of calls they receive."
Further Strange Occurrences Reported
Adding to concerns about the site's security, another guide operating in Old Calton reported witnessing a "strange" gathering outside the David Hume mausoleum on 16 January at 10pm, when the cemetery gates were supposed to be locked.
The guide, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed to have seen four men in long white robes kneeling by the mausoleum and lighting candles. "I don't have any idea what they were doing. We just escaped," the guide told the Guardian. "There were several candles inside the mausoleum, and now there are always sage plants close to the mausoleum."
The guide expressed concern for safety, particularly for those conducting private tours at night, warning fellow guides to remain vigilant in the area.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in protecting historic sites from vandalism while maintaining public access to important cultural landmarks. The combination of occult symbolism, historical significance, and security concerns makes this a particularly complex issue for Edinburgh's heritage management.
