Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh

[Currie]

Thanks very much Mairi,

It looks like they’ve done some serious alterations to the landscape around that area about that time. Maybe that’s why my lot moved elsewhere.

The link you posted is very interesting, I like the way they’ve presented the old volumes. I have a large book on Scotland that’s about the same vintage. I’ll have to dig it out.

All the best,
Alan

[david macdiarmid]

Hi Mairi,Interestingly,i also have relatives in the Dean Cemetery.Most of these people were unknown to me until a couple of years ago.I have a Father,his Wife,A Granny who was a French Governess and an Aunt who at 3 years old was hit by a bus and killed in 1919.I agree with you without the help of Ivor,the Superintendant i would never have the details from his ledger which i found invaluable.When i come over from Fife to see my mum i sometimes "chillout" in the "Dean",i find the atmosphere and the surroundings very calming. My 18 year old daughter feels the same, which i find really spooky,David

[Mairi]

Hi David, I assumed there were no modern burials there. Not so, we were told and saw evidence of recent ones. Don't think there can be much space left though! Three weeks ago the colours of the trees were even more stunning. We entered from the Dean Gallery grounds and walked southwards. Peering from the old wall we looked down on the path below---it looked so secret. Thick foliage meant we could only glimpse the rooftops of Dean Village. The Cemetery is a hidden world which has so many surprises for first time visitors.

The contrast in appearance between the Dean Cemetery and the graveyards of St. John's and St. Cuthbert's (the northern part) at the West End is great. The latter, the Council's responsibility, are in a terrible state. Many stones have been toppled from their pedestals and lie broken, there is bare earth where there should be turf and a wall and stones damaged by a fallen tree in St. John's need to be repaired. Litter, man-made and from the trees, adds to the sense of dereliction.
Unfortunately the arched area under Lothian Road is used as a sleeping area at times and the annual festival craft fair has long since removed the dignity of St. John's graveyard.

I missed the news, in July, of the plans for a Heritage Trail encompassing five city centre graveyards; The Canongate, Old and New Calton, Greyfriars and St. Cuthbert's, and the subsequent shelving of the idea.

Funding will a huge problem in these times but it does seem as if money is thrown at the big city events and not considered for regular maintenance in an historic area which visitors see quite clearly from two main city roads and which mean something more to members of the respective congregations.

I am sad and angry about this, as you will gather!
Mairi.