Drawing of 'The Maiden' in use

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This is a mid-19th-century interpretation of a beheading machine called 'The Maiden' in use. The drawing, by James Skene, is included in a collection of Edinburgh images by Daniel Wilson (1816-1892), a prominent Edinburgh antiquarian and anthropologist.

The drawing shows an execution using 'The Maiden' in Edinburgh's Parliament Square. Between 1564 and 1710, the Maiden was used to carry out around 100 public executions in Edinburgh.

The Maiden was operated by a lever at the back. This lever held a rope which was attached to the blade via a pulley at the top. When the lever was pressed, the rope was released and the blade fell.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-001-334-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MR 1
• Date: 1564 - 1710
  Mid 19th century
  
• Material: Wood and metal
  Guillotine / maiden
  
• Dimensions: 4000 mm H x 3000 mm x 3000 mm
  
• What: Guillotine / maiden
  
• Subject: Instruments, of torture (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Instrument used for beheading criminals in Edinburgh, called the Maiden, 1564 -1710
  
• References:
• Translations:
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