10 REAL Mysteries That Would Make Great Doctor Who Episodes

3. The Fairy Coffins Of Arthur's Seat

Doctor Who Tenth Doctor Charlie Chaplin time traveller
Kim Traynor (Via Wikimedia Commons)

In 1836, a group of boys discovered some dolls inside 17 miniature coffins, no more than three or four inches long, in a cave on Arthur's Seat, the extinct volcano that overlooks the city of Edinburgh.

Ever since, people have debated the origins of these tiny coffins, which have since been dubbed the Fairy Coffins. One theory suggests that they were a tribute to the victims of notorious murderers Burke and Hare, while another suggests a link with witchcraft and demonology.

It's a fascinating mystery, and there are plenty of explanations that Doctor Who could provide.

The 17 dolls could've easily been victims of the Master's Tissue Compression Eliminator, a weapon that shrinks the target down to the size of a small figurine. Alternatively, what about those known sci-fi grave-robbers, the Cybermen?

Or perhaps Doctor Who could explain that the coffins were a tribute to Burke and Hare's victims, but that they were working under an alien influence. Of course, the Sixth Doctor already met Burke and Hare in the audio drama Medicinal Purposes, which also featured David Tennant as one of their victims.

Whatever story it inspires, the fairy coffins would be a perfect excuse for Doctor Who to finally film in Scotland. Edinburgh is a stunning city, rich with history that feels tailor-made for a great Doctor Who location.

Hell, even the Avengers have been to Edinburgh. The Doctor has no excuse!

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Citizen of the Universe, Film Programmer, Writer, Podcaster, Doctor Who fan and a gentleman to boot. As passionate about Chinese social-realist epics as I am about dumb popcorn movies.