5. The Entrance Façade Designed by J.Bryce 1836
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Built by John Park, this façade was intended as a magnificent gateway to a subterranean crypt housing tiers of vaults which would ensure safety from ‘body snatchers’ and ‘grave robbers’.
Unfortunately the passing of the 1832 Anatomy Act allowing cadavers to be released to medical science, the constant flooding of the vaults and the growing opinion that people did not wish to be ‘entombed in darkness’ all combined to cause a distinct lack of interest in the façade - which doomed the subterranean crypt as not financially viable. | |
6. William Miller Monument 1872
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Born in Glasgow, the Scottish poet Miller 1810-1872 lived most of his life at No.4 Ark Lane in Dennistoun.
A carpenter to trade, Miller was an accomplished poet and songwriter. His works were published in various magazines and also as a collection entitled ‘Whistle-binkie: Stories for the Fireside (1842’).
Unfortunately the beloved Miller died penniless and was buried in his family plot in Tollcross Cemetery. Friends and admirers raised this stone by public subscription. |
‘Wee Willie Winkie runs through the toon, upstairs and doonstairs in his night goon,
Knocking on the window and crying through the lock,- are all the weans in their bed? for its past ten o’clock.
Hey, Willie Winkie, are ye comin' ben? The cat's singin' grey thrums to the sleepin hen,
The dog's speldert on the floor and disnae gie a cheep - But here's a waukrif laddie that wanna fa' asleep.’
7. Davidson of Ruchill Mausoleum Designed by JT Rochead 1851
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James Davidson was involved in the lucrative muslin trade and was a partner of James and John Meikleham. Their warehouse stood on the east side of Glassford Street.
After their death Davidson became a successful merchant in his own right and bought the lands of Ruchill, Garrioch and Balgray. He owned Ruchill House but also kept a residence at Wemyss Bay. |
Davidson lies in the vault below this tomb. The monument resembles a Greek temple, built from Craiglands Quarry stone measuring 22 ft by 22 ft with a roof supported on an ante-pilastrade with screens and bronze doors ( now lying inside). The eaves are decorated by foliated antefixae.
Many years after his death, the Council bought 53 acres of his estate from his son, William James Davidson, for the construction of Ruchill Park and Hospital (1893).
8. Peter Lawrence Monument Designed and sculpted by J.Mossman 1840
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A sculptor of some note himself, examples of Lawrence’s work can still be seen in the Necropolis.
This was one of J.Mossman’s first works, a sculpture of a winged seraph/youth once perched on top holding an extinguished torch as a symbol of death - now sadly missing. |
Glasgow Necropolis Heritage Trail main page