Historic graveyards placed on 'under threat' watchlist

Published on 06/10/2009 22:23

FIVE historic graveyards providing the last resting place of some of Scotland's most influential philosophers and poets are on an international watchlist of threatened heritage sites.

The graveyards in the heart of Edinburgh are among six sites in the UK and Ireland that the World Monuments Fund (WMF) has placed on its watchlist for 2010, released today.

Years of exposure to nature's elements, vandalism and neglect have led to the deterioration of the graveyards at the Greyfriars Canongate and St Cuthbert's kirkyards, the Old Calton Burial ground and New Calton burial ground.

Notable names among the headstones are figures such as philosopher and historian David Hume (1711-1776), buried at Old Calton Burial ground; inventor Robert Stevenson(1772-1850), buried in New Calton burial ground, political economist Adam Smith (1723-1790) and Robert Fergusson, the poet who inspired Robert Burns, both buried in Canongate Kirkyard.

The WMF 2010 watchlist includes 93 sites at risk in 47 countries, ranging from the famous Peruvian site of Machu Picchu, to the Merritt Parkway road in Conneticut, US.

The five other UK heritage sites under threat are Sheerness Dockyard in Kent, the Tecton Buildings, Dudley Zoo, in the West Midlands, St John the Evangelist Parish Church, Shodon, Herefordshire, Carlisle Memorial Methodist Church, Belfast, and Russborough mansion, Blessington, Co Wicklow.