Johnnie Carbegie lais heirDescendant of Adam and EveGif ony can gang hicherI'se willing gie him leve Raymond Lamont-Brown: Scottish Epitaphs. Chambers, Edinburgh, 1990
You have murdered your Prince!
Glenmoriston has seen many tragic events during the course of history but the most memorable is the heroic death of Roderick Mackenzie in 1746. His grave is right at the roadside (A87) not far away from Dalreichart burial ground on the other side of Caochan a' Cheannaich, the river that was named after Roderick Mackenzie,... Continue Reading →
Funny Scottish Epitaph: a couple of years
Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh Here lies John and his WifeJanet MacFee40 hee - 30 shee Raymond Lamont-Brown: Scottish Epitaphs. Chambers, Edinburgh, 1990
two tunes for two graveyards
never come. There are two graveyards here on opposite sides of the sea Loch, just a few miles apart as the crow flies, the land route takes longer. They have each their very distinct tradition and a very distinct tune being played at funerals.
killed by his own clan
This is a beautiful story of family, power and death and as so many Scottish clan stories, it does not come with a happy ending. the young pretender There was once a young man, the youngest son of Allan MacDonald, 4th Chief of Clanranald, who died in 1505. His name was Ranald and he was... Continue Reading →
Funny Scottish Epitaph: The Cattle Dealer from Kirkmichael
Here lies the body of Glencorse,He went to the Borders with two horse,He was a sheep and cattle-dealer,At last gave up for want of siller. Raymond Lamont-Brown: Scottish Epitaphs. Chambers, Edinburgh, 1990
Kilmorack’s Jacobites
Few graveyards in the Scottish Highlands have rebel graves of the 1745 uprising to visit; for obvious reasons, most of the men killed in the disastrous Battle of Culloden were buried on the battlefield. Rarely were there graves in the home Parish to be visited by the relatives, by mothers, sisters, aunts, by fathers, brothers... Continue Reading →
Funny Scottish Epitaph from The Mearns
Inscription on the tomb of a violinist: When Orpheus played he moved Old Nick,But when you played you made us sick. Raymond Lamont-Brown: Scottish Epitaphs. Chambers, Edinburgh, 1990
the witch’s grave
The River Moriston is peaceful and idyllic, it can be icy in winter and angry during a flood but it is tame these days. However, deaths have occured here and men have drowned in the river. Local tradition says, twenty men drowned in a rock pool some time long ago. The place is not to... Continue Reading →
gallow’s hill
Sometimes clues to the past lie within the place names. That is especially true for Scotland where the Gaels were very descriptive in their naming of landscape as well as man-made places. A map often tells you many things about a place before you even visit. It is down to the proper translation though, to... Continue Reading →
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