Undiscovered Scotland

 

Scottish graveyards and cemeteries can be fascinating places. The development of religion in Scotland after the Reformation of 1560 meant that the design of memorials in Scotland took a unique path that remains very obvious today to anyone who cares to look. "Graveyards and Cemeteries of Perthshire" by Charlotte Golledge is a superb book that does much more than the title suggests, though it does that too.

Nicely researched and well written text is ably supported by good quality and well selected photographs and the result is a book we'd recommend to anyone interested in Scottish graveyards generally and especially those in Perthshire. The book begins with a chapter about the symbols that are such a characteristic feature of so many old Scottish memorials and gravestones. This is relevant across Scotland as a whole. The focus then moves to Perthshire with chapters about the Picts; the Covenanters in Perthshire; the Scottish Episcopal Church in Perthshire; Clan burial grounds; graves of notable men and women; unusual items, buildings and burial grounds; and forgotten burial grounds. It concludes with a chapter entitled "Some of the Best Burial Grounds".

We've photographed many of Scotland's graveyards ourselves, including a number in Perthshire. This book has very usefully highlighted others we still need to visit: surely the second mention we've seen in the last two days of the lost village of Lawers is a hint that we ought to go there sooner rather than later?

You get a good sense of the the book from the publisher's description of it: "The graveyards and cemeteries of Perthshire contain many fascinating historical tales, often with interesting superstitions attached. In this book Scottish historian Charlotte Golledge takes readers on a tour through the history of Perthshire’s burial grounds. Perthshire is known as the Gateway to the Highlands and is home to many clan graveyards. The last resting place of Rob Roy MacGregor is at Balquhidder. The city of Perth’s numerous churches, graveyards and cemeteries reveal its importance in the history of Scotland from the medieval era, including Greyfriars Burial Ground, to the present day. Dunkeld Cathedral draws many, but numerous other towns and villages in Perthshire have intriguing burial stories to tell, including the captivating monuments at Logierait. Together, these are the tales of real people of Scotland told through their deaths and burials. This fascinating portrait of life and death in Perthshire over the centuries will appeal to both residents and visitors to this region of Scotland."