It seems that even in death, we prefer to congregate with those with whom we share a common bond. The bond varies. It is often religion or nationality; among the Chinese, Japanese, Greeks and Russians; membership in a lodge such as the Masons, Oddfellows or Knights of Pythias; or a disaster in which all died together as in shipwrecks or fires; or service to one's country. And of course there are the unannounced and rejected: Those who lie in unmarked pauper's graves or the murderers or witches who have paid the supreme penalty.
There are 73 cemeteries and official burial places in Angus, some ancient, some modern, some still used today, others standing still through time. You can find out about some of the more intriguing below:
Close to the cliff top between Boddin and Usan stands the ruin of the ancient chapel of St Skae. The adjacent graveyard is littered with old carved gravestones, many of which are those of seafarers from Boddin and Usan.
The `Angus Big Cat" was spotted at this eerie cemetery . An organisation known at The Scottish Big Cats reports how the cat was seen at the spot in September 2002. Local man George Mackie tells how the wife of one his friends spotted the big cat one night on a rising hill near a dumping ground located next to the cemetery.
Situated mid-way between Forfar and Brechin, the churchyard in Aberlemno is home to possibly one of the finest Dark Age sculptures in Europe, a splendid upright cross slab with Pictish symbols.
Situated amidst ancient gravestones, the front of the stone has an impressive quadrilobate cross and the reverse has a magnificent battle scene which is thought to portray the battle of Dun Nechtan or Nechtansmere of 685 AD when Brude MacDerile defeated the Northumbrian King Ecgfrith and his army.
The church and graveyard at Cortachy, 4 miles north of Kirriemuir, date back to 1828. Visitors can see the gravestone of James Winter, one of a group of men who took part in the bloody Battle of the Saughs, a skirmish to recover cattle and horses stolen by thieves from Braemar. The gravestone is a flat stone, which has the outline of a sword and buckler etched on it.
Kirriemuir cemetery is the final resting place of famous author J M Barrie, creator of Peter Pan. Poet Helen Cruickshank is also buried here. Just outside the cemetery is the "Stannin' Stane", a nine foot high stone, evidence of primitive man's habitation of the area.
Pictish stones have been discovered in the graveyard of St. Rule's Church, leading historians to suggest that Monifieth was a Pictish centre of some importance. The sculptured symbol stones are now in the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
Within the ruins of Eassie Church near Glamis, there is a fine example of an early Christian Pictish monument elaborately carved and richly decorated.
Glamis graveyard is home to various Pictish stones and a holy well, dedicated to St. Fergus who established the local Kirk. Water from the Well of St. Fergus trickles into the Glamis burn and baptism and marriage ceremonies still take place in this isolated and atmospheric spot. The graveyard contains many headstones describing the trades of long deceased locals, including the headstone of Margaret Bridie of Glamis, who made the original "Forfar Bridies" in the village and sold them at the Buttermarket in Forfar.
Plan Your Visit to Angus Archives
