St Kentigern’s RC Cemetery

Hidden within a sprawling complex of cemeteries north of Glasgow City Centre lies St Kentigern’s RC Cemetery. St Kentigern’s is a place of quiet remembrance, a poignant reminder of lives touched by war. Established in 1882, St Kentigern’s shares its space with other final resting places, including Glasgow Lambhill Cemetery and the Glasgow Western Necropolis. Each cemetery is distinct, yet they are bound together by their proximity and shared purpose. Accessing St Kentigern’s requires a bit of navigation. If you’re driving from the M8, exit at Junction 16 and head north on the A879 Craighall Road. After about 2.5 miles, this road becomes Saracen Street and then Balmore Road. Turn left onto Skirska Street, then take the second right onto Tresta Road. The entrance to St Kentigern’s will be on your right, just before the main entrance to the Western Necropolis. Gilhochil Rail Station offers another route, a mere two-minute walk from the cemetery entrance. Trains from Queen Street Station to Anniesland stop at this station. Within St Kentigern’s, the scars of war are evident. The cemetery holds the remains of 339 identified casualties from both World Wars. 134 burials from the First World War are scattered throughout the grounds. A small screen wall commemorates those soldiers whose graves lack headstones. The majority of the 187 Second World War burials are also scattered, but a small service group lies in the center of the cemetery. St Kentigern’s also holds the graves of 11 war casualties of other nationalities and a non-war service burial of a New Zealand veteran. Visiting St Kentigern’s requires respecting its opening hours. Vehicle access is restricted in the evenings, with gates closing at 5 pm in winter and 6 pm in summer. However, pedestrian access remains possible. St Kentigern’s RC Cemetery offers a solemn and moving experience. It is a testament to the human cost of conflict, a place to reflect on the sacrifices made in times of war. Its peaceful atmosphere and the stories it holds make it a significant stop for those wishing to understand a piece of Glasgow’s history.