Haunted by eerie graveyards and gothic architecture, Edinburgh is a city that epitomises all things spooky. Whether you’re wandering around the narrow streets of Old Town or visiting the Neo-Gothic Scottish National Portrait Gallery, art runs through the city’s veins. So if you’re looking to visit some spooky sites in search of your favourite artists, then look no further than the Edinburgh graveyards.
St. Cuthberts Kirkyard is located at 5 Lothian Road, and has been a religious site since the twelfth century. A notable artist buried there is Sir Henry Raeburn, who is most famous for his painting The Skating Minister 1795, which can be seen in The National Gallery on The Mound. As well as Raeburn, George Meikle Kemp, a self-taught architect designed and built the Scott Monument is buried in this Kirkyard as well.
Dean Cemetery is the resting place for a variety of influential Scots. Notable artists include Francis Cadell and JD Fergusson, who were both Scottish colourists known for their bold use of colour and free brushstrokes. With them, English-born landscape painter Samuel Bough, as well as Alexander Nasmyth, the ‘father’ of Scottish landscape painting rest in this prolific cemetery.
Greyfriars Kirkyard is home to poet William McGonagall, regarded as the worst poet in the English language for poems such as “The Tay bridge Disaster” (which I would highly recommend reading if you want a laugh). As well as McGonagall, city planner James Craig, who designed Edinburgh’s New Town in 1766 is also buried at Greyfriars Kirkyard.
Canongate Kirkyard on the Royal Mile is the burial site of brothers Alexander and John Runciman. Alexander was known for his historical and mythological eighteenth century paintings, whilst John was an accomplished draughtsman.
So if you’re looking for a way to make the most of the spooky season by indulging in morbid curiosity, look no further than the ghoulish cemeteries of Edinburgh haunted by the ghosts of male artists.
“castle cross” by Alan Weir is licensed under CC BY 2.0.