Burke and Hare: Body Snatchers, Serial Killers, Ulstermen

Following back-to-back sell-out runs at the 2025 and 2026 Edinburgh Fringe, dark

historian Andrew Johnston (Alternative Ulstours) takes his hit Terror Talk to the Boundary Taproom!

‘Scotland’s grave robbers’ William Burke and William Hare weren’t Scottish – and

didn’t rob graves. Born and raised in the north of Ireland, they were the first modern

serial killers, predating Jack the Ripper by decades.

Discover the reality behind the infamous pair. Track their journey from contrasting

Ulster origins to the sinister Edinburgh slayings of 1828, when they teamed up to

supply unscrupulous anatomists with murdered corpses during the body snatching

era.

The presentation honours the forgotten victims, while exposing the fates of Burke

and Hare, their complicit partners and their anti-Irish paymaster, Dr Robert Knox.

Unearth the facts in an informative and entertaining evening of true crime that saw

Andrew shortlisted as Stand Out Performer at the 2026 Spookies (Horror at the

Fringe Awards).

“Andrew’s engaging and darkly humorous talk grabs you from the get-go” – Curated

by Lauren

“Johnston is an incredible storyteller... with a complete respect for the subject

matter... feels less like a lecture and more like a conversation with a friend” –

Theatre Muse UK

“We think we know Burke and Hare. After Andrew Johnston, you’ll think again” –

Edinburgh Reporter

Running time: 2 hours including interval

Age guidance: 12+

So, come along, grab a beer, take a seat and fall under the spell of Alternative Ulstours!

Description supplied by the event organiser.