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Clare Hopkins · 27 Jul 2026

Severe Thunderstorm - A man killed by lightening - Edinburgh Evening Courant (12 May 1868): A Severe thunderstorm passed over the city yesterday, during which, we regret to say, a man was killed by lightening. The storm commenced between four and five o’clock, when there was a heavy fall of rain, accompanied by vivid flashes of lightening and loud peals of thunder. After continuing for more than half an hour, the storm somewhat abated, and the peals were less distinct, but about six o’clock it again commenced with increased violence. The flashes of forked lightening were of the most alarming character, and were followed by terrific crashes of thunder. Shortly after the storm abated two lads found the body of a man lying on the Radical Road, at Salisbury Crags. The hair on the upper side of the head of the deceased was completely burnt off, and the coat, trousers, stockings, and boots partly consumed and torn. One half of a felt hat was also found lying beside the body. Assistance having been procured, the body was conveyed to the Police Office, where it was identified in the course of an evening as that of Donald Mathison, twenty-seven years of age, a clerk, who resided in a lodging house in the Cow-gate. He had been for some time out of employment, but was maintained by his father, who resides in Leith. Margaret Wallace Johnstone, residing in 7 Salisbury Bank, St Leonards Hill, states that she was in the kitchen of the house about six o’clock, and that when looking towards the Radical Road she saw the deceased (who was running along the road eastward) struck by the lightening, and fall to the ground. The storm had a considerable effect upon the telegraphic wires stretched across the town, the bells in the police station being run several times with great fury. No material damage, however, was done to the wires. Communications from our correspondents in Fife and other parts of the country mention the storm as having been violent, but without doing any serious damage. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001060/18680512/025/0002

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Margaret Wallace Johnston· Subject

7 Salisbury Bank St Leonard's Hill, Southside, City of Edinburgh

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Birth of Christina Espie Johnston

7 Salisbury Bank St Leonard's Hill, Southside, City of Edinburgh

Map for 7 Salisbury Bank, St Leonard's Hill, Southside, City of Edinburgh, Scotland

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Birth of Christina Espie Johnston