[232] The Back Stairs, built on the site of St Giles’ Churchyard, gave
direct communication between the Cowgate and Old Parliament Square. It
was by this way that Robertson the smuggler escaped from the Tolbooth
Church, where he and his accomplice Wilson had been taken, as was usual
with condemned prisoners, the Sunday before their execution. It was
Porteous’s behaviour at the execution of Wilson that led to the riot
and his own death in the Grassmarket.
[233] The pistols belonged to Mr Cayley himself, having been borrowed a
few days before by Mr Macfarlane.