Hollywood film set in Edinburgh to have 'first public screening in nearly 200 years'

Director Guillermo del Toro is bringing his upcoming gothic thriller Frankenstein to the city, shooting with some big name actors. Mia Goth, Jacob Elordi and others have been spotted around the city.

Another unexpected feature was the construction of a gallows in Makars Court - something that hasn't been seen on the streets of Edinburgh for decades. Locals watched the set being built on Wednesday and said the city was preparing for the "first public execution in years".

On September 8, the crew took over St Giles Cathedral as locals watched the scenes captured. Saltburn star Elordi plays the iconic monster in footage uploaded to TikTok.

Others were surprised to see the Hollywood actors suddenly arriving on set. One TikToker uploaded a clip and captioned it: "POV: You went to Edinburgh and ended up on the set of a Netflix film with Jacob Elordi."

Fans of the star were quick to react to the video to express their excitement. One man said, "Tell me I'm going to get away from Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth."

Directed by Guillermo del Toro, the film stars Jacob Elordi, David Bradley, Mia Goth and Oscar Isaac and is based on the classic story of Victor Frankenstein. Guillermo is believed to have been working on the film for over a decade due to his love for the novels.

The IMDP description of the horror film reads: "Dr. Pretorius conducts the experiments of Dr. Victor Frankenstein in search of Frankenstein's monster, who is believed to have died in a fire forty years ago".

It has been almost 160 years since the last public execution by a hangover executioner was reportedly carried out in Edinburgh, according to historians.

Join the Edinburgh Live WhatsApp community and get the latest news straight to your messages Edinburgh Expert Walking Tours says: "The last public hanging in Edinburgh took place on the High Street in 1864 - and this is on the same day when there were no other public hangings.

"As there were very few hangings going on at the time, the city abolished the charge of a hangman and there were no more residents to call on for the purpose of carrying out justice. And so, George Bryce, who had been convicted of murder in June 1864, was appointed to carry out the execution, Edinburgh called in an executioner from York to carry out the necessary duties.

"The executioner who brought it from York to Edinburgh - his name being Thomas Askern - appears to have had none of these necessary skills and considerations. He may have exaggerated his experience or qualifications in order to get the job, or (rumours are he may have been too tired) at an Edinburgh pub-... Arriving at the gallows before dusk, and with a hangover, Askern appears to have thought it necessary to hang George Bryce, some care was taken in estimating the length of the rope, and when the trapdoor was opened the prisoner fell barely two feet and was allowed to stand aloft before the assembled crowd."