Scottish Gravestones

St. Maloes, Perthshire

2011-08-19T19:01:00.003+01:00

Duddingston Kirk

2011-07-06T20:20:00.002+01:00

Duddingston Kirk

2011-07-06T20:17:00.003+01:00

Gravemarker, St. Columba's Island, Skye

2011-05-14T10:41:00.001+01:00

Eddleston Church - Latin incriptions are fairly uncommon

2011-05-14T10:32:00.002+01:00

Mural monument attached to the church at Eddleston

2011-05-12T19:25:00.000+01:00

Headstones made of slate, Ballachullish

2011-04-09T17:55:00.003+01:00

Kilmore, Skye

2011-03-09T22:10:00.000Z

Kilmuir, Skye

2011-03-09T21:59:00.001Z

The inscription in incomplete. The deceased son drowned before he had paid the mason.

Adam and Eve stone, Lyne Kirk

2011-01-10T22:36:00.000Z

Dryburgh Abbey

2011-01-10T22:26:00.001Z

Dryburgh Abbey - Adam and Eve stone

2011-01-10T22:25:00.001Z

Dryburgh Abbey

2011-01-10T22:23:00.003Z

Temple, Midlothian

2009-08-16T19:34:00.002+01:00

Newly uncovered grave marker

Jedburgh Abbey

2009-08-04T19:15:00.003+01:00

Jedburgh Abbey

2009-08-04T19:13:00.001+01:00

Jedburgh Abbey

2009-08-04T19:10:00.002+01:00

The light in this aisle was magical!

Jedburgh Abbey

2009-08-04T19:07:00.003+01:00

By coincidence, Lord Robert died 4th August 1692. 317 years ago.

Great sadness in Tranent Parish Church graveyard

2009-03-08T09:51:00.002Z

Tranent Parish Church

2009-03-08T09:48:00.001Z

Detail of carvings on the legs of an ancient tablestone

Tranent, Haddingtonshire

2009-03-08T09:45:00.002Z

A selection of magnificently carved gravestones

Newlands Church

2009-01-31T22:20:00.001Z

Stobo Church gravestones

2009-01-31T22:16:00.003Z

A local soldier, John Noble who died 1823 has a gravestone with a carving of him carrying his musket.

Stobo Church, Peeblesshire

2009-01-31T22:15:00.001Z

The church of St Mungo (or Kentigern) at Stobo dates from the 12th century.

Penicuik, Midlothian

2008-12-06T19:34:00.003Z

Tower of St. Kentigern's Church - dating back to c 1600's near the site of an earlier church dating back to the 1100's.

Penicuik, Midlothian

2008-12-06T19:31:00.001Z

A collection of gravestones

Penicuik, Midlothian

2008-12-06T19:14:00.005Z

The Sexton's tools - emblems of mortality

A very sad winged soul - emblem of immortality

Penicuik churchyard has some great headstones!

Smiling skeleton of Port Menteith

2008-09-07T21:13:00.002+01:00

This is the happiest skeleton I have come across on a gravestone!

These carvings are on the tablestone below.

Port of Menteith tablestone

2008-09-07T21:10:00.001+01:00

Dirleton Church, East Lothian

2008-08-17T13:25:00.001+01:00

The earlier church in the parish was built in the 12th Century and its ruin can be found in Gullane. Permission was given to Sir Thomas Erskine to build this new church in 1612. The reason quoted was that the old kirk "is sa incommodiouslie situat beside the sea sand that the same, with the kirk yard thereof, is continewallie overblawin with sand, that nather the Kirk servis commodiouslie for the convening of the parichiners, nor yet the kirk yard for their Burial".

Ancient gravestones at Dirleton Churchyard

2008-08-17T12:47:00.007+01:00

This stone broken in two parts (top half shown) has an inscription in Latin with some Greek words. It is thought to be for William Ferguison and his wife Helen Smyth. probably dated c 1663.

This stone is dated 1740 and the inscription is for a Janet Seton

A Green Man carving on the west side of Janet Seton's headstone. This is a pagan symbol.

Figures appear on either side of Janet Seton's headstone. here is the detail of the one on the right side (west face). A mermaid perhaps!

This imposing mural monument is situated on the east side of the church. At the top is a coat of arms. The inscription is now unreadable but is thought to belong to the Heriot family who were important in East Lothian in the 16th and 17th Centuries.

Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh

2008-08-04T18:29:00.003+01:00

Greyfriars Kirkyard

2008-08-04T17:57:00.002+01:00

A very large mural monument

Tweedsmuir Kirk, inside

2008-07-29T21:37:00.002+01:00

Tweedsmuir Kirk

2008-07-29T21:34:00.001+01:00

Tweedsmuir Kirk

2008-07-29T20:54:00.002+01:00

One of the nicest kirkyards in the Scottish Borders

Edrom Church, Scottish Borders

2008-07-06T21:21:00.003+01:00

The church dates back to Norman times though all that is left is the richly carved Romanesque doorway of the old parish church, now the entrance to a burial vault. An interesting gravestone is that of a tailor showing the tools of his trade, scissors and an iron.

Longformacus, near Duns, Scottish Borders

2008-06-21T09:26:00.001+01:00

John Taylor, died at the remarkable age of 137 years

2008-06-15T22:30:00.003+01:00

Leadhills Cemetery. John Taylor retired from the mines in 1751 at the age of 117! A long time was spent in this large cemetery looking for his grave, it was eventually found. For future visitors I've included a couple of images showing the location of John Taylor's grave. It is the flat tablestone located near the boundary wall under the trees!

Elvanfoot Church

2008-06-14T23:08:00.003+01:00

This graveyard has only more recent headstones, one old wooden cross caught my attention. The church has a excellent slate roof. I'm not sure, but the church looked unused.

Moffat graveyard

2008-06-14T22:55:00.002+01:00

West Kirk, Culross, Fifeshire

2008-05-25T22:19:00.002+01:00

Another great expression!

Silk flowers

Church gates

Nearly missed this one high up in the wall

West Kirk in ruins

West Kirk, Culross, Fifeshire

2008-05-25T22:14:00.005+01:00

This is a much older church than the Parish Church visited yesterday. It is in ruins, but the graveyard has many very ancient gravestones.

I like the expression!

Culross Parish Church

2008-05-24T23:25:00.004+01:00

Culross Parish Church

2008-05-24T23:22:00.001+01:00

Rosyth Church

2008-05-24T23:20:00.001+01:00

Abercorn Kirk

2008-05-19T21:35:00.003+01:00

Abercorn Kirk

2008-05-19T21:29:00.002+01:00

Abercorn Kirk

2008-05-19T21:26:00.002+01:00

Abercorn Kirk

2008-05-18T23:44:00.003+01:00

Abercorn Kirk, is a real gem, everything about is great, it is ancient, lots of old headstones and has a really nice peaceful location. We found it about 8pm - so will have to go back!

Rolling pin and baps - the only one in Scotland with this on!

11th Century doorway.

Torphichen Preceptory

2008-05-18T22:42:00.003+01:00

Torphichen Preceptory

2008-05-18T22:39:00.007+01:00

Difficult to see, but this is the remains of painting on the wall

Interesting stones

Torphichen Preceptory, West Lothian

2008-05-18T22:36:00.002+01:00

Inveresk, Midlothian

2008-05-18T09:25:00.003+01:00

Some 18th Century gravestones

Inveresk, Midlothian

2008-05-18T09:21:00.004+01:00

Memorial to a military man, Major General James Stirling

"Sacred to the memory of Major-General James Stirling, Lieutenant-Governor of Cork, and for forty-two years an officer in the 42nd R[oyal] H[ighlanders]. With a wing of that national corps he annihilated the French Invincibles in Egypt, and took their standard with his own hand. He commanded that regiment through the Peninsular War, and after twenty-seven years of foreign service he retired in 1813 into private life, where, cultivating the virtues which adorn the Christian character, he died, full of years and honours, at his villa of Eskbank, 12th December 1834. His remains, borne hither by his veteran companions in arms, are here interred."

This fragment is also probably Victorian

Victorian

Portrait of the deceased?

Twin souls ascending to heaven

Seton Collegiate Church, East Lothian

2008-05-11T21:13:00.003+01:00

The church was first consecrated in 1242 with major additions in 1470. Note the unfinished spire. The south transept is facing the photographer, it was built, along with the tower probably after 1544 following damage to the church by the English.

Carving on the piscina

Seton Collegiate Church, East Lothian

2008-05-11T21:09:00.003+01:00

Top, detail from monument for James, 1st Earl of Perth. Middle, the priests' entrance. Bottom fragment from an old tomb.

Seton Collegiate Church, East Lorthian

2008-05-11T21:07:00.003+01:00

Ancient piscina

Seton Collegiate Chuch, East Lothian

2008-05-11T21:02:00.004+01:00

A few monuments with armorial bearings. Top two images are from the monument commemorating James, 1 st Earl of Perth, who died in 1611. The lower two commemorate James Ogilvie of Birnes who died in 1617.

Elie, Fifeshire

2008-04-23T19:11:00.001+01:00

Elie, Fifeshire

2008-04-23T19:10:00.001+01:00

Elie, Fifeshire

2008-04-23T19:09:00.001+01:00

This is a most unusual gravemarker, now set in the wall

Elie, Fifeshire

2008-04-23T19:08:00.001+01:00

Elie, Fifeshire

2008-04-23T19:06:00.001+01:00

Elie, Fifeshire

2008-04-23T19:05:00.000+01:00

Elie, Fifeshire

2008-04-23T19:00:00.003+01:00

Wiston Kirkyard, Lanarkshire

2007-12-11T21:59:00.001Z

A view of the cemetery in the low winter sun

Wiston Kirkyard, Lanarkshire

2007-12-11T21:57:00.001Z

' Here Lyes the Body of James Somervel Tennant is Wistoun Who Depairted this Life in the Year 1772 aged 92 Years'

Wiston Kirkyard, Lanarkshire

2007-12-11T21:55:00.001Z

The earliest date on this gravestone is 1699.

Wiston Kirkyard, Lanarkshire

2007-12-11T21:54:00.001Z

An unusual treble gravestone can be seen in the foreground

Wiston Kirk, Lanarkshire

2007-12-10T18:08:00.001Z

A beautiful countryside setting for Wiston Kirkyard

Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian

2007-11-17T21:31:00.001Z

Ornate carvings in the highly decorated Lady Chapel.

Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian

2007-11-17T21:30:00.001Z

King Darius' Trial of Wisdom, in a Latin inscription on the architrave over the stairs leading down to the sacristy. Forte est vinu. Fortior est rex. Fortiores sunt mulieres: sup om vincit veritas. [Wine is strong. The king is stronger. Women are stronger still: but truth conquers all.]

Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian

2007-11-17T21:27:00.001Z

Beautifully detailed carving of an angel in prayer in the sacristy.

Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian

2007-11-17T21:26:00.004Z

Lucifer, the Fallen Angel, a carving at the base of a statue niche in the Lady Chapel.

Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian

2007-11-17T21:26:00.003Z

Carving at the base of a window in the south aisle, said to be of an angel holding the heart of Robert Bruce.

Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian

2007-11-17T21:25:00.002Z

Rosslyn Chapel is rich in carvings of the Green Man. One of the finest is this one, in the Lady Chapel.

Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian

2007-11-17T21:23:00.001Z

Eight dragons at the base of the Apprentice Pillar. The vines which wind around the pillar emerge from the dragons' mouths.

Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian

2007-11-17T21:21:00.001Z

The world-famous Apprentice Pillar.

Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian

2007-11-17T21:18:00.001Z

The beautifully detailed top of the Apprentice Pillar.

Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian

2007-11-17T21:14:00.001Z

Detail from monument in the grounds of Rosslyn Chapel.

Lilliesleaf Kirkyard, Scottish Borders

2007-11-17T09:19:00.002Z

Will finish Lilliesleaf with another storm-backed image of the kirkyard - magical!

Lilliesleaf Kirkyard, Scottish Borders

2007-11-17T09:11:00.001Z

A wall-mounted memorial on the inside wall of an aisle. Death's head and crossed bones - symbols of mortality can be seen below the inscription. A coat of arms above.

Lilliesleaf Kirkyard, Scottish Borders

2007-11-17T09:03:00.001Z

Possibly, from right to left - preacher in the centre with hand resting on the bible, a skeleton ('King of Terrors' depicting death) holding onto the preacher's stick. The skeleton in turn is holding an hourglass indicating the passing of time ('well known to all who watched it during the long sermons' - Betty Willsher). I wonder if the headstone carver was indicating the preacher's sermons were too long?!

Lilliesleaf Kirkyard, Scottish Borders

2007-11-17T09:00:00.001Z

A nicely proportioned classical headstone with some great carvings.

Lilliesleaf Kirkyard, Scottish Borders

2007-11-17T08:58:00.001Z

A very ancient figured gravestone - not dated but maybe 1600's.

Lilliesleaf Kirkyard, Scottish Borders

2007-11-17T08:52:00.001Z

Interesting script. Dated 1786.

Lilliesleaf Kirkyard, Scottish Borders

2007-11-17T08:32:00.002Z

An ornate winged soul and a relief carving of of the departed.

Lilliesleaf Kirk, Scottish Borders

2007-11-16T23:28:00.002Z

Stormy background... one of my favourites!

Lilliesleaf Kirk, Scottish Borders

2007-11-16T23:16:00.001Z

The atmosphere was great, the sun was low, there were dark storm clouds behind we even had a rainbow to the left of the ivy clad burial aisle.

Lilliesleaf Kirk, Scottish Borders

2007-11-16T23:11:00.001Z

The kirk in a very low sun. The first kirk here was built in 1110 AD.

Bowden Kirk, Scottish Borders

2007-11-16T22:46:00.001Z

Another view of Bowden Kirk and kirkyard. There are a couple of fine tablestones in the foreground. You can see from the bare trees that autumn is almost over - it was cold but sunny!

Bowden Kirk, Scottish Borders

2007-11-16T22:44:00.001Z

A beautiful stained glass window filling what was 'The Priest's Door'.

Bowden Kirk, Scottish Borders

2007-11-16T22:43:00.001Z

A good full figure carving of a woman with long flowing hair.

Bowden Kirk, Scottish Borders

2007-11-16T22:33:00.001Z

This script must have been difficult to carve!

Bowden Kirk, Scottish Borders

2007-11-16T22:32:00.001Z

A somewhat worn headstone.

Bowden Kirk, Scottish Borders

2007-11-16T22:31:00.001Z

A smaller full figure headstone.

Bowden Kirk, Scottish Borders

2007-11-16T22:26:00.001Z

The kirkyard has a number of stones showing beautifully carved figures - here is one.

Bowden Kirk, Scottish Borders

2007-11-16T22:20:00.001Z

An interesting kirkyard with masses of gravestones. Typical of an upland site, most headstones are covered in a wide range of lichens and mosses. The church has had a long history extending back 850 years with much subsequent rebuilding.

Caddonfoot Kirkyard, Scottish Borders

2007-11-16T21:16:00.002Z

A great modern headstone following a tradition of fine carving.