Robert Burns died on July 21, 1796 at his home in Dumfries. He was only 37 years old but despite his years left a mark like no other poet in the soul of his nation. Consigned to earth, here rests the lifeless clay, Which once a vital spark from heaven inspired! The lamp of genius... Continue Reading →
sin – allegations of child abuse
Fort Augustus Abbey, Catholic center of power Fort Augustus Abbey - once one of the ancient Catholics homes of Scotland. The impressive building belonged to the Lovat family for generations, they lost it and regained it, only to give it away again for good. Catholic centres of worship and power were rare in Scotland after... Continue Reading →
those who died in battle
Inverlochy Cemetery Inverlochy cemetery is small, graves scattered on a rocky hillock. It looks out of use today. Locals say only people who fought in the Battle of Inverlochy were entiteled to be buried here. There are many later burials in the cemetery though, the rules were obviously not strict. (Canmore, Inverlochy cemetery) Inverlochy Castle... Continue Reading →
Funny Scottish Epitaphs: Latin Rhymer
Here lies the Laird O' Lundie Sic transit gloria mundi. Raymond Lamont-Brown: Scottish Epitaphs. Chambers, Edinburgh, 1990
eerie funeral processions
phantom funeral processions Tales of supernatural funeral processions are told all over Scotland but especially in the Highlands. These processions can only be seen by a few, those who have the second sight, but to them they look as real as an actual funeral. Not everybody knows, that he or she has the gift of... Continue Reading →
No Graves left in Kilbride, Skye
Kilbride on the Isle of Skye is now not more than a few scattered houses, sheep and a working quarry in Strath Swordale but it once was a place of worship, magic and ritual. And it was very much a place for women or at least a place where women left their mark. the abess's... Continue Reading →
the only one
Sir Hugh Innes was the only ever existing Scottish baronet of that name, the first and the last, the only one. However, there were three other Baronetcies created for that name, but in Nova Scotia and not in the United Kingdom. The only Scottish one was created on 28 April 1819 and the new Baronet... Continue Reading →
Funny Scottish Epitaphs: the zealous locksmith
A zealous locksmith dy'd of late And did arrive at heaven's gate, He stood without and would not knock, Because he meant to pick the lock. Raymond Lamont-Brown: Scottish Epitaphs. Chambers, Edinburgh, 1990
Flora MacDonald – revolutionary, state prisoner and mother of ten
The grave of Flora MacDonald If you think Claire Fraser's invented life is exiting - try and imagine Flora MacDonald's; hers were more than just romantic adventures, they were real and where better to think about this extraordinary woman, than the side of her grave on Kilmuir graveyard on the Trotternish peninsula on the Isle... Continue Reading →
childhood memories
Lady Norah Fairfax-Lucy was the youngest of a family of eight living at Calgary, born in 1895. She was a Mackenzie of Mornish by birth, her father an elder of the established Church of Scotland. Sundays on Mull Both parents observed the Sunday "with great reverence" and as austere as these Sundays now seem, Lady... Continue Reading →
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