Tucked away in the quiet suburb of Colinton, in Edinburgh, lies a forgotten piece of history: the Sisters of the Good Shepherd Cemetery. It’s a small, peaceful graveyard, with just 11 graves and a memorial cross. The area around the cemetery is now built up with modern houses. You can still feel the echoes of past events in the air, whispers of times gone by.
The cemetery was a resting place for the nuns who ran the Convent of the Good Shepherd, which was once situated within the grounds of Woodfield House. This grand mansion was acquired by the Roman Catholic Order of the Good Shepherd in 1921. It was a rescue home for young women and girls, offering them protection and a chance to reform their lives.
These sisters were dedicated to helping these people rediscover hope. In a time when society turned its back on those who needed it most, the Convent of the Good Shepherd became a haven of support, a place where those deemed ‘fallen’ could begin their journey to redemption.
Over the years, the mansion and its convent were demolished and replaced by homes, leaving only traces of the convent’s existence, including the peaceful and quiet Sisters of the Good Shepherd Cemetery. It remains a testament to the hard work and dedication of the sisters and their unwavering commitment to those who needed their help.