This pub belonged to the real Maggie d*** on. Maggie lived in the early Eighteenth century as a fish hawker. Her husband left her forcing her to leave the city and move to the Scottish Borders, where she worked for an innkeeper. She had an affair with the Innkeeper’s son and fell pregnant. She concealed her pregnancy so that she could keep her job and lodgings. The baby was born prematurely. Maggie planned to put the baby into the River Tweed, but couldn't bring herself to and finally left it on the riverbank. The baby was found and traced to Maggie. She was charged under the Concealment of Pregnancy Act and she was taken back to Edinburgh for Trial and execution at Grasssmarket. After the hanging she was pronounced dead and her body was bound for transfer and burial but the journey was interrupted by a knocking and banging from within the wooden coffin! Maggie was alive! The law saw it as God's will and she was freed to live. She became a local celebrity with the nickname 'Half Hangit' Maggie.' This pub in the Grassmarket is named Maggie d*** on's after her memory, and is apparently the pub she opened after she was freed.