Over 250000 souls rest here. Welcome to the Southern Necropolis.
Established in 1840 this Glasgow cemetery offers a glimpse into the city’s past. It provided affordable burial for Gorbals residents. The overcrowded Old Gorbals Burial Ground prompted its creation. William Gilmour sold the land. The first burial a 16-month-old child occurred on July 21 1840.
The Southern Necropolis boasts three sections. The Central section opened in 1840. The Eastern section followed in 1846. The largest the Western section opened in 1850. The grand gatehouse designed by Charles Wilson stands proudly. It was built in 1848.
In 1954 the Southern Necropolis became the unlikely setting for a vampire hunt. An urban myth about a Gorbals vampire fuelled the frenzy. Hundreds of children armed with stakes searched for the creature. They believed it had killed two children. The incident is linked to the anxieties surrounding American horror comics.
Notable figures rest within the Southern Necropolis. Sir Thomas Lipton the famous tea merchant is buried here. Agnes Reston a wartime nurse also finds her final resting place here. The cemetery holds the graves of politicians architects and philanthropists. Eleven Commonwealth service personnel are also buried here. Ten are from World War I one from World War II.
The Southern Necropolis is more than a graveyard. It’s a historical landmark. It reflects the city’s social history. It showcases its architectural heritage. The cemetery is listed as a Category B building. The gatehouse holds a prestigious Category A listing. Explore its history and its stories. Discover the lives it silently preserves. Remember the people who shaped Glasgow. They rest here in the Southern Necropolis.