Edinburgh’s David Hume Tomb Vandalised with Disturbing ‘Satanic’ Symbols

The historic tomb of Enlightenment philosopher David Hume at Old Calton Burial Ground in Edinburgh was found defaced with disturbing occult-style symbols and paraphernalia, prompting alarm among local guides and visitors.

A tour guide discovered the vandalism, which reportedly included graphic drawings, coded tape and ritual-like objects attached to Hume’s mausoleum and nearby memorial stones.

The drawings, which were described by the guide as “satanic,” depicted unsettling scenes, including a naked woman with a bloody knife and a baby and were affixed with red electrical tape bearing mysterious coded writing. Additional items such as red candles pierced with nails, chalked symbols, and other objects were also found at the site.

Images of the vandalised tomb were reportedly shared on an anonymous group on the messaging platform Telegram that has previously posted about grave defacements. The group attributed its actions to an entity with the name or theme “anti-metaphysical front.”

City of Edinburgh Council responded swiftly upon being alerted to the incident, removing the materials and graffiti from the mausoleum and memorials. Officials indicated that the damage was superficial and temporary, and they chose not to pursue a police investigation, in part because the area lacks CCTV coverage.

The Old Calton Burial Ground, a Category A-listed cemetery that dates back to 1718, is the resting place of several notable Scots, including philosopher David Hume, scientist John Playfair and artist David Allan. The mausoleum where Hume is interred was designed by architect Robert Adam and has long been a landmark on Edinburgh’s skyline.

Local tour guides have expressed broader concerns about antisocial behaviour in the burial grounds, citing repeated incidents of vandalism and unsafe conduct by groups at night. The council has previously implemented evening closures of Old Calton and neighbouring New Calton cemeteries due to aggressive behaviour and threats to visitors’ safety.

One guide reported a separate unsettling sighting in mid-January when four men in white robes were seen kneeling by the Hume mausoleum late at night with lit candles when the cemetery gates were locked. The guide described the encounter as strange and chose not to remain in the area.

The incident has sparked local debate about preservation of heritage sites, the influence of fringe groups and the protection of public historical spaces in Edinburgh.

Sources: The Guardian, NewsMinimalist