Around Edinburgh - North Leith Cemetery

North Leith Cemetery

Background

Symbols on Gravestones

Symbols, including tools of trades, were frequently carved on 17th century and early 18th century gravestones.

Sculls and crossbones were common in the South of Scotland: they were reminders of the mortality of man. Hourglasses marked the passing of time. A vertical hourglass was used for a person had lived a full life and a horizontal one for a person whose life had been cut short.

Trumpets and the angels denoted Resurrection.

Other items commonly engraved on tombstones were tools of the trade of the deceased.

North Leith Cemetery

Skulls, crossbones, hourglasses, angels, tools and other symbols can be found on the gravestones in North Leith Cemetery. This burial ground dates from the mid-17th century, and is on a small plot of land beside the Water of Leith in Coburg Street.

It replaced the graveyard beside the North Leith church of St Nicholas (the patron saint of seamen) which was lost due to the building of Leith Citadel in 1856.

People buried in this cemetery include:

- the grandparents of the 19th century Prime Minister, W. E. Gladstone.

- Lady Mackintosh, who raised a regiment for Prince Charlie’s 1745 rising.

- Rev Dr David Johnston, founder of the Blind Asylum 1793 and Minister of North Leith Church for 59 years.

Please click on the map below to find the location of North Leith Cemetery.

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