Old Calton Burial Ground
United Kingdom
Then, continue to the Old Calton Burial Ground, one of Edinburgh’s chilling cemeteries. See the imposing mausoleum that marks the final resting place of David Hume, who is said to have made a deal with the devil, and perhaps hear of the infamous body snatchers Burke and Hare.
Contents
10 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Old Calton Burial Ground
Welcome to the Old Calton Burial Ground. I am your guide, and together we shall undertake a thorough architectural and historical examination of one of Edinburgh's most compelling and atmospheric sites. …
Listen in the app2The Entrance and the Legacy of Waterloo Place
Begin your physical journey by reflecting upon the very threshold you have just crossed. To understand the Old Calton Burial Ground, one must first comprehend the dramatic geography and the engineering marvel that surrounds its…
Listen in the app3The Mausoleum of David Hume
As you move deeper into the cemetery, your eyes are immediately drawn to a massive, austere cylindrical tower. This incredibly striking structure is the tomb of David Hume, one of the most brilliant and controversial figures of…
Listen in the app4The American Civil War Memorial
Turn your attention now to a monument that seems entirely unexpected in the heart of a Scottish burial ground. Before you stands a magnificent bronze statue of the sixteenth President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. …
Listen in the app5The Political Martyrs' Monument
Direct your gaze upward toward the center of the burial ground, where a staggering stone needle pierces the Edinburgh skyline. This commanding obelisk is the Political Martyrs' Monument. …
Listen in the app6The Vault of William Blackwood
Let us now shift our focus to a monument that celebrates the immense literary heritage of Edinburgh. Approach the elegant, highly decorated tomb featuring intricate stone rosettes and classical relief carvings. …
Listen in the app7The Tradesmen's Markers and the Perfumer's Stone
We now move into a section of the burial ground that truly captures the unique social fabric of the Incorporated Trades of Calton. Unlike aristocratic cemeteries filled with the coats of arms of ancient nobility, this ground is a…
Listen in the app8The High Retaining Wall and Station Views
Carefully make your way toward the steep boundary wall at the southern edge of the burial ground. As you approach the perimeter, the perspective shifts dramatically, revealing the true, suspended nature of this cemetery. …
Listen in the app9The Fractured Tombs and Forgotten Names
For our final section, we venture into the deeper, heavily shaded, and significantly more weathered corners of the burial ground. This area is a testament to the inescapable, corrosive power of time. …
Listen in the app10Closing
As we conclude our architectural and historical exploration of the Old Calton Burial Ground, let us return toward the entrance and reflect upon the profound journey we have just undertaken. This small, bisected patch of earth…
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What is Old Calton Burial Ground?
Old Calton Burial Ground is a place in United Kingdom with 10 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 10 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 55.9536, -3.1862 |
| Last updated |
