Overlooking Holyrood Palace and Arthur’s Seat stands the New Calton Burial Ground. A fascinating place steeped in history. This isn’t just any graveyard. It’s a testament to Edinburgh’s expansion in the early 19th century. The New Calton Burial Ground was born from necessity. Waterloo Place’s construction sliced through the Old Calton Burial Ground. Hundreds of bodies needed respectful relocation. From 1817 to 1820 a painstaking process ensued. Each body was carefully moved. Their original gravestones followed if they existed.
The New Calton Burial Ground wasn’t merely a replacement. It was far larger than needed. A convenient solution to Edinburgh’s burgeoning population. The scale dwarfs its predecessor. It served the Carltonians a parish spread far from Leith. It’s burial ground was inconveniently far. The New Calton Burial Ground became their final resting place.
Archibald Elliot a significant figure designed the cut through the Old Calton Burial Ground. He created Regent Bridge and Waterloo Place. Ironically he’s buried in the New Calton Burial Ground. Thomas Bonnar and Thomas Brown designed the layout. The first recorded burial was John Fyfe in 1817. His father Andrew Fyfe’s vault provided his resting place. The New Calton Burial Ground officially opened in 1820.
The design is striking. A series of east-west terraces cascade down the hill. Older stones cluster on the northern edge. Some vaults were completely rebuilt. A watchtower stands guard. A testament to the era’s grave robbing problem. It housed a family of ten at one point. They even cultivated a vegetable garden. A remnant rhubarb patch lingered into the 1980s. The story of David Bryce living there is probably false. He’s buried here though.
Today many stones are damaged or vandalized. Some are laid flat for safety reasons. In 2019 Swastikas and other offensive symbols defaced monuments. Despite this the New Calton Burial Ground remains a poignant place. It tells a story of meticulous relocation. A story of a city’s growth and its struggles. A glimpse into the lives of prominent figures. The New Calton Burial Ground offers a moving experience. It stands as a tribute to the past. A reminder of the delicate balance between progress and preservation. Remember this place. It is a part of Edinburgh’s captivating past.