The East Neuk of Fife boasts one of Scotland’s most picturesque stretches of coastline. The village of Kilconquhar sits inland from the coast. Sitting next to Kinconquhar Loch, the town is dominated by the attractive Georgian Parish Church designed by the celebrated Dickson Brothers. Opened in 1821, the church sits beside the remains of itsContinue reading “Remembering Robert Pollock”
Author Archives: ryvoan83
Remembering the Whyte Sisters
The Dundee Telegraph of November 19 1918, reported the severity of influenza in the District of Cupar in neighbouring Fife. The article acknowledged “numerous deaths” with specific reference to the three Whyte sisters, who all died of influenza within a week. I discovered their grave by chance in Leuchars New Cemetery. The new cemetery is located west of Leuchars, adjacentContinue reading “Remembering the Whyte Sisters”
Remembering James Cowan
Camelon Cemetery is one of my favourites. The cemetery is a diverse smorgasbord of headstone designs, spanning from the late Victorian era to the present day. James Cowan rests near the Cemetery’s War Memorial. James died at the King George V Military Hospital in Dublin on October 25 1918, aged twenty-eight, from influenza and pneumonia.Continue reading “Remembering James Cowan”
Comrie War Memorial Re-Dedication
Remembering Christina McArthur Hunter
Cambuskenneth Abbey dates back to the reign of David I of Scotland in the 12th century. Besides the tower, there are few visible remains of the once-grand Abbey. The most famous burial at the site is James III and Margaret of Denmark; their grave is marked by an impressive monument. In comparison, the grave ofContinue reading “Remembering Christina McArthur Hunter”
Remembering Lavinia Swire
Downton, North Yorkshire, has a picturesque churchyard. The remains of many generations of the Crawley Family, the Earls of Grantham rest within its walls. The churchyard is also the resting place of Lavinia Swire, the original fiance of Matthew Crawley, the ill-fated heir to the Earldom of Grantham. Lavinia succumbed to Spanish influenza (and possiblyContinue reading “Remembering Lavinia Swire”
Remembering Albert Victor Patterson
I returned to Dundee’s Balgay Cemetery today. ‘Boy’ Albert Victor Patterson rests in a familial grave of Section C towards the eastern end of the cemetery. Albert succumbed to influenza and pneumonia on December 10 at the Alexandra Military Hospital, Westminster, aged seventeen (the headstone states eighteen). Albert Victor Patterson was born on November 3Continue reading “Remembering Albert Victor Patterson”
Influenza deaths at Woodilee Asylum
Woodilee Hospital was situated on the eastern edge of Lenzie, East Dunbartonshire. Today, nothing remains of the once extensive complex except for the main entrance building, which includes the clock tower, along with some scattered fragments. Opened in 1875 as a lunatic asylum, Woodilee Hospital specifically catered to ‘lunatics’ from local workhouses. Compared to theContinue reading “Influenza deaths at Woodilee Asylum”
The tragedy of Robert Johnstone
Camelon is a small town on the eastern edge of Falkirk. The name ‘Camelon’ is believed to have Arthurian connections. Camelon is also home to the Camelon Cemetery, the largest cemetery in Falkirk. The cemetery opened in 1870 to replace the overcrowded churchyard nearby. Camelon was among a new generation of landscaped or ‘garden’ cemeteries,Continue reading “The tragedy of Robert Johnstone”
Remembering Peter Curran
Tullibody Churchyard dates back to the 12th Century, and the remains of the church date back to the 16th Century. The site is adjacent to relatively modern social housing, which is an interesting juxtaposition. Looking westward, Abbey Craig and the Wallace Monument are on the horizon. The new cemetery sits adjacent to the original siteContinue reading “Remembering Peter Curran”
Broken Columns 