Scotland Peter Irvine’s the best
Interesting graveyards
Don’t be scared – Scotland’s burial places can be beautiful and well worth a quiet wander around
Kirkoswald Kirkyard
On main road through village between Ayr and Girvan. The graveyard around the ruined kirk and famous as the burial place of the characters in Burns’ most famous poem, Tam O’ Shanter. A must for Burns fans and famous-grave seekers, with Souter Johnnie and Kirkton Jean buried here. Souter Johnnie himself gives his name to the restaurant and pub across the road.
Balquhidder Churchyard
Chiefly notable as the last resting place of one Rob Roy MacGregor who was buried in 1734 after causing a heap of trouble hereabouts and raised to immortality by Sir Walter Scott and then Michael Caton-Jones (the movie). Despite well-trodden path, setting is poignant. Sunday evening concerts have been held in the kirk. Nice walk from back corner to the waterfall and then to Rallying Place. Great long walk to Brig o’ Turk. Logie Old Kirk, near Stirling
A crumbling chapel and an ancient, restored graveyard at the foot of the Ochils. The wall is round to keep out the demons, a burn gurgles beside and there are some fine and very old stones going back to the 16th Century. Take road for Wallace Monument off A91, then first right. The old kirk is 500m beyond the new. The interpretation board is sponsored by the enigmatic-sounding Sons of the Rock. Continuing on this steep narrow road (right at the T-junction) takes you to the Ochils. Birkhill Cemetery, Dundee
Opened in 1989. Part of the city’s Templeton Woods across the road (to Coupar Angus from the dual carriageway) from Camperdown Park, this well-laid-out cemetery is a revelation. No other graveyard on these pages seems so well kept and well used. Garlands of flowers on the graves. Aesthetic and reflective. Many Islamic graves, a woodlands burial section beyond and the Baby Green is particularly affecting.
Peter Irvine is the author of the essential travel guide Scotland the Best published by Collins, priced £15.99