He was a pillar of Edinburgh society, a successful cabinet maker who led his craft guild, and an Edinburgh City Councillor, but William Brodie was also a daring thief.

 

Known widely as Deacon Brodie, because of his position as Deacon of the Guild of Wrights and Masons, his life was to end on the gallows in the Scottish capital There there is still a pub there in the Royal Mile bearing his name. His was a real Real Jekyll & Hyde life.

His father had been a cabinet maker before him and Brodie became a supplier of furniture to the rich and famous in 18th century Edinburgh. This involved him in fitting locks.

His gambling, drinking, two mistresses and five illegitimate children led to considerable indebtedness. His answer was to go to the bank for more funds, but he did so at night with a set of keys he had made from impressions. His career in crime got off to a flying start that night in 1768 with the £800 he removed from the bank, an astonishing sum at the time.

In a new docu-drama this week BBC ALBA offers an insight to one of the most notorious Scottish criminals of all time.

Working on the locks of his customers' houses, he would simply copy the keys. This permitted Brodie and his gang to return and loot at their leisure. For almost 20 years Brodie led this night-time thieving undetected. By day, he remained a loveable dandy, known for his wit and flamboyant dress sense.

His downfall began when he organised a complicated armed raid on Scotland's Excise Office. It was a disaster. Brodie was supposed to be look-out but fell asleep. One of his gang was caught, and subsequently turned King's Evidence.

Brodie fled for the continent intending to jump ship to America. But he got no further than Amsterdam where he was arrested and brought back to the capital.

He was hanged on October 1 1788, on a gallows rumoured to have been designed by himself. It was said that he wore a steel collar and managed to escape with his life. Suggestions that he was seen in Paris some weeks later, fed this colourful myth.

The Real Jekyll & Hyde? Sgeulachd Deacon Brodie will be broadcast on Thursday at 9.00pm.