Plan for trust to promote city's historic cemeteries

Edinburgh World Heritage and the World Monuments Fund hope to establish the body to prevent further decay and vandalism to the historic sites, transforming the Capital's five historic cemeteries.

Greyfriars Kirkyard, Canongate Graveyard, Old Calton Cemetery, New Calton Cemetery and St Cuthbert's Cemetery were added to World Monuments Fund Watch List in October 2009.

In recent years the conservation bodies have trialled using lasers to remove graffiti from the historic graveyards and restored monuments, but said the sites require more than patchwork repairs. A dedicated trust could attract investment.

A consultation is now under way and architectural heritage expert Dr Susan Buckham has been commissioned to prepare a project for the sites and examine how historic cemeteries in other cities are utilised.

Edinburgh's five historic graveyards are the burial sites for numerous prominent figures in Scottish history including the philosopher David Hume and Mary, Queen of Scots' secretary Sir David Rizzio, who was murdered in the Queen's bedchamber in Holyrood Palace.

David Gundry, project director at the World Monuments Fund Britain, said the sites were steeped in the city's history. He said: "These graveyards are of huge importance to Edinburgh and the world heritage site.

"They are sometimes neglected or are relatively unknown, but they really do record the transition from Edinburgh as a local capital, or burgh, to that of a European capital city."

Mr Gundry said the popularity of Greyfriars Kirkyard has shown what investment and work by community groups can do. He said: "These graveyards have huge potential and can become part of the fabric of the city, as is already evidenced by Greyfriars Bobby. It is a well-known destination for hundreds of thousands of visitors.

"The focus of this consultation will seek to understand what the local community want and discuss how they can become more involved.

"Some of these sites do have a reputation for illicit uses and we want to find the right balance with local groups to resolve some of these issues."

David Hicks, spokesman for Edinburgh World Heritage, said: "The bigger project is to set up a graveyards trust. This will look into the management, and promotion of the graveyards. These monuments are technically the responsibility of the relatives, but when you're dealing with graves that go back to 1611, for example, there are complications.

"A dedicated trust, which is what we're working towards, could provide the investment and involvement by the community to transform these sites into great attractions."

FAMOUS NAMES IN CAPITAL GRAVEYARDS

Greyfriars Kirkyard, Candlemaker Row

John Gray (d.1858). City police officer, and his faithful dog (2] Greyfriars Bobby 1856-1872.

Sir George MacKenzie (1636 -1691). Nicknamed "Bloody MacKenzie" for his role as a judge and prosecutor of the Covenanters.

James Craig (d.1795). Architect and designer of the New Town.

Canongate Graveyard

(1] Clarinda (Mrs Agnes Maclehose) (1759-1841). Clarinda separated from her husband and became Robert Burns' muse and mistress.

(4] Adam Smith (1723-1790). Author of the world famous Wealth of Nations, and founder of the study of political economics.

Sir David Rizzio (1533-1566). Secretary to Mary, Queen of Scots. Was stabbed to death in Holyrood Palace.

Old Calton Cemetery, Regent Road

(3] David Hume (1711-1776). Philosopher and critical figure in the Scottish Enlightenment.

Thomas Hamilton RSA (1784-1858) Architect of the Royal High School and the Bank of Scotland HQ on The Mound.

New Calton Cemetery, Calton Road

Robert Stevenson (1772-1850). Famed lighthouse builder and grandfather of Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson.

St Cuthbert's Cemetery, Lothian Road

(5] John Napier (1550-1617). Inventor of logarithms, mathematician and astronomer.

George M Kemp (1795-1844). Master joiner, self-taught architect and designer of the Scott Monument.