Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe thrice holy ground The origin of the Campbells of Cawdor lies on thrice holy ground at Kilbrandon in Nether Lorn, an intriguing story of love, hate, betrayal and greed has survived for over 500 years. The famous “It’s a far cry to Loch Awe!” is still very much part of the... Continue Reading →
The small green island on the northern shore of Loch Awe is a beauty in itself. Hidden under the foliage of small trees and bushes the ancient chapel's walls have crumbled. The ruin is surrounded by graves, old and new. Inishail (the Island of Repose) is the traditional burial ground for the MacArthur clan. green... Continue Reading →
A poet, a fighter, a preserver; innovative, visionary, extraordinary; an old Gaelic voice still to be heard. Alexander MacDonald, in his language better known as Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair, born around 1695, died in 1770 in Arisaig. His body should have been laid to rest on Eilean Fhìonain but heavy storms made transport to the island... Continue Reading →
It does signify in death and in life, not everybody has one but many a clan is proud to display it: a motto. It is in many cases of high heraldic importance and often originates in an important event of the past but it can also be a maxim, a rule or a guiding line... Continue Reading →
St Baedan above Ardchattan A church, that hasn’t been used for well over 300 years and an old burial ground that was last used in the late 19th century, a place nearly forgotten right next to one of the more prominent sights of Argyll: Ardchattan Priory, burnt down by Cromwell's troops in 1654. A few... Continue Reading →
A royal burial is a rare and special event in the history of a nation, a political cut after which a new chapter of history needs to be written. That goes without a doubt for most kings, not only the Scottish ones. Royal graves therefore seem of special importance, because they symbolise so much more... Continue Reading →
The Aberlemno sculptured stones are a main tourist attraction in Angus. Ancient and easily accessible right by the side of a small country road, the B9134. Beautifully carved with intricate detail and magical names (Serpent Stone) they date back more than a thousand years. Impressive as well as intricate and not to be missed. A... Continue Reading →
Passionate visitors of graves and graveyards often have favourite stones - stones with ornate decoration, touching epitaphs or extravagant lichen covering, stones that hold personal memories. A stone can express many things for those who erect them as well as for those who them. But stones can also be tools. There is a certain species... Continue Reading →
overcoming finality on Acharacle graveyard Death is final. But some graveyards on closer inspection show sings of overcoming that ultimate finality. Human endeavor is a powerful force that can last longer than a lifetime. In a way everything on a graveyard is there to overcome finality: gravestones not only mark graves, they are solid reminders... Continue Reading →
Craig Dunain, old lunatic asylum Inverness Do places keep a sense of pain, a sense of the fear and anger that was once felt there? Can fear linger in stone and wood? Can a house keep the horror that once was felt there? Does an abandoned lunatic asylum still hold some sense of insanity?... Continue Reading →
Lindisfarne graveyard on Holy Island, Northumberland, symbolizes centuries of faith and history, overlooking Lindisfarne Priory’s ruins. A significant site since the 7th century, it holds the remains of islanders and clergy. The graveyard fosters reflection and connection to St Cuthbert, attracting visitors seeking inspiration and tranquility amid a sacred legacy.
Bamburgh, with its dramatic coastal setting and rich history, has revealed yet another fascinating chapter of its past. Decades of dedicated research by the Bamburgh Research Project and Durham University, in collaboration with the Bamburgh Castle Estate, have shed light on the lives of Anglo-Saxons who inhabited this area over a thousand years ago. The […]
Grace Darling, born in 1815, became famous for her courageous sea rescue of Forfarshire survivors in 1838. She passed away in 1842 and is buried in Bamburgh, where a monument marks her legacy. Celebrated in literature and art, her story inspires future generations, symbolizing bravery and compassion.
Graveyards of Scotland 
Recent Comments