Historic Vandalism: The Strange Fate of Scotland’s Graveyards

Across Scotland, ancient graveyards and churchyards hold stories of generations past, but not all have been treated with the reverence they deserve. Starting in the 19th century, some gravestones, crypts, and monuments—intended as lasting tributes—fell victim to surprisingly careless and disrespectful practices. From gravestones repurposed to pave roads and coachhouses to entire churchyards plowed under for farmland, this period saw a fascinating and unsettling period of historic vandalism. These instances of disrespect to Scotland’s oldest memorials reveal much about a time when practicality sometimes eclipsed preservation, as well as the subsequent rise of societies dedicated to safeguarding the legacy of Scotland's dead.

The Origins of Historic Vandalism in Scottish Graveyards

In the early 1800s, Scotland was undergoing significant social and economic changes. The rise of industry, urban expansion, and the creation of new infrastructure shifted the landscape dramatically. For rural communities, graveyards often seemed like mere patches of land that could serve “better” uses, such as paving materials or construction foundations. In one well-known case, a vicar took gravestones from a graveyard and used them to floor his coachhouse, demonstrating a level of insensitivity that today seems shocking.