Alternative Ulstours Terror Talks - Burke and Hare

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!