Beneath this silent tomb is laid A noisy antiquated maid, who from her cradle talked till death And ne'er before was out of breath. Raymond Lamont-Brown: Scottish Epitaphs. Chambers, Edinburgh, 1990
linen law
kistin The process of laying a corpse in a coffin is called kistin in Scotland. This was more than a necessary act in a funeral parlour, it was a religious ceremony and either the minister himself or one of his elders was performing the solemn task. The reason being, there was a law concerning the... Continue Reading →
marriage and death in Portpatrick
Portpatrick is a village in the Dumfries and Galloway council area, formerly Wigtownshire at the southwestern end of Scotland. It has an old burial ground (Old Portpatrick) and an older part to the new cemetery . As the name suggests, the local harbour has for a long time been trading with Ireland, there was a... Continue Reading →
abandoned kirkyard Stoneykirk
Kirkyards all over Scotland have been abandoned for various reasons, some after the Reformation, others because the Parish or village boundaries were changing or because the churches were too old or the kirkyards too full. Whatever the reason, an abandoned churchyard has a sad and slightly eerie quality, especially on a dreich day. Stoneykirk in... Continue Reading →
Where’s the grave?
'Tis here that Tibby Allan lies, 'Tis here, or here about, But no one till the Resurrection day, Shall the very spot dispute. Raymont Lamont-Brown: Scottish Epitaphs. Chambers, Edinburgh 1990
death and healing waters
Penpont takes ist name from a wooden bridge over the River Nith where a penny had to be paid for building and upkeep. Penpont also was the seat of the Presbytery. There are no more traces left of the medieval church that once stood within the graveyard. There were headstones dating back as far as... Continue Reading →
gravestone mistake
The place name already suggests graves, Glencairn, the valley of the stones, cairns having been used in the past as markers and for burials. There are various cairns in the area. The Earl of Glencairn was a fervent supporter of the Reformation. The old family seat was known as Maxwell House. In 1591 the King... Continue Reading →
sactuary stones
You need to know what you are looking for to be able to find the two stones in Dailly that prove to be various things, sanctuary, measure of strength, and indication of ownership. Old Dailly Church They lie within the ruin of the church of Old Dailly. Her long history of religious worship came to... Continue Reading →
the murder victim’s mausoleum
Gilbert Kennedy of Bargany and Ardstinchar, the last laird of the house Kennedy of Bargany, died on 11th December 1601. He was only 25 years old. The laird died no ordinary death - he was murdered. The murderer was his cousin. The murder was part of the long-running feud between the Kennedys of Bargany and... Continue Reading →
Adam and Eve Stone
An intricate Adam and Eve stone displays the figures of Adam and eve, angels playing the trumpet, an hour glass, a bible and a plough with oxen complete this interesting example dating back to 1758. The symbolism is complex, the first awareness of death came according to the Bible to mankind through Adam and Eve.... Continue Reading →
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