Scotland Peter Irvine’s the best
Tombs with a view
Scotland’s past meets the present in these notable burial sites. Just take care to always be respectful
Canongate Kirkyard
Left of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile going down to Holyrood Palace. Adam Smith and the tragic poet Robert Fergusson revered by Rabbie Burns (who raised the memorial stone in 1787 over his pauper’s grave) are among the famous names buried here.
Clachan Duich
A beautiful stonewalled graveyard at the head of Loch Duich, 12 miles south of Kyle of Lochalsh. A monument on a rise above a ruined chapel and many, many Macraes, this is a delightful place to wander with glorious views to the loch and the mountains.
Chisholm Graveyard
Last resting place of the Chisholms and three of the largest Celtic crosses you’ll see anywhere, in an atmospheric woodland
setting. It is nine miles west of Beauly on the A831 to Struy after Aigas dam and three miles after the golf course; half a mile before Cnoc Hotel opposite Erchless Estate, and through a white iron gate on right. Walk 150m on mossy path. Go find!
Campbeltown Cemetery
One of the nicest things about this end-ofthe-line town is the cemetery. At the end of a row of posh houses, the original merchant and mariner owners of which are interred in the leafy plots next door. Still in use after centuries of commerce and seafaring, it has crept up the terraces of a steep and lush overhanging bank. The white cross and row of Second World War headstones are affecting.
Glasgow Necropolis
The vast burial ground at the crest of the ridge running down to the river that was the focus of the original settlement of Glasgow. Everything began at the foot of this hill and, ultimately, ended at the top, where many of the city’s most famous (and infamous) sons and daughters are interred within the reach of the long shadow of John Knox’s obelisk.
Peter Irvine is the author of the essential travel guide Scotland the Best published by Collins, priced £15.99