13. Buchanans of Bellfield Designed by J.Stephen circa 1860
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This Greek astylar mausoleum with draped urns was built for three sisters - the ‘Misses Buchanan of Bellfield’. J and G Mossman sculpted the draped urns.
Elizabeth, Jane and Margaret were the daughters of George Buchanan of Woodlands in Glasgow. The sisters lived at Bellfield near Kilmarnock.
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Elizabeth died in April 1875 and Jane and Margaret had passed on before her. The 27 square yards of Necropolis ground for this mausoleum cost £85. The sisters will bequeathed £10,000 to the Merchants’ House for the perpetual upkeep of their tomb.
Most of their considerable estate was left to a series of worthy charities and ‘the whole residue of the estate, after providing for these purposes, is to be paid, one half to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the other half to the Glasgow Asylum for the Blind.’
14. Egyptian Vaults 1837
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These vaults were built as a temporary resting place for corpses whilst the tombs and mausoleums were being erected and graves were being prepared.
The cast-iron gates, made by T.Edington & Sons' Phoenix Foundry in Queen Street, consist of four pairs of torches, interestingly inverted but not extinguished. A winged hourglass above the vaults represents the rapid flight of time.
Blair describes the view from the gate. "The massive stone lids of the temporary tombs, with iron rings attached are visible within, extending to the further extremity of the cavern, from which they retire right and left, into the excavated chambers or aisles on either side." |
15. Reverend John Dick Monument Designed by R.Black 1838
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Reverend Dr John Dick was minister of Greyfriars UP church and professor of theology to the United Secession Synod in 1820.
A solid hexagonal base topped by a circular plinth supports six fluted and castellated columns. These in turn support a circular canopy and ornate dome. Based on the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens it forms an Ionic rotunda. The central urn and finial are missing.
Reverend Dick died aged 69 of inflammation of the brain caused by an inner ear infection. His remains lie in the Cathedral graveyard. The inscription on the frieze at the top may be translated "Oh! tell me not the good man dies, embalmed in sacred sleep he lies".
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16. William McGavin Designed by J.Bryce 1834
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Born in Ayrshire and originally a weaver to trade McGavin tried his hand at a few other positions, teacher, merchant and Bank Manager.
He is particularly famous for his publication "The Protestant" which began as a series of letters in The Glasgow Chronicle in May 1818. In an almost fanatical religious manner it attacked the errors of popery.
McGavin was buried in the now demolished Wellington Street Chapel; his remains were re-interred in the Necropolis.
This 35 ft high monument was sculpted by R.Forrest (who also sculpted the John Knox statue) |
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