A group of Edinburgh's Historic Graveyards are to be added to its 2010 List of 100 Most Endangered Sites.
The group of burial grounds are all within the city's World Heritage Site, and include the Greyfriars, Canongate, Old Calton, New Calton, and St Cuthberts graveyards.
Among prominent Edinburgh figures buried here are economist Adam Smith, the philosopher David Hume, as well as important characters from the history of the city such as the poet Robert Fergusson, James Craig who planned the New Town and of course ‘Greyfriars Bobby' the famously loyal Skye Terrier (pictured is his grave today).
The World Monuments Watch list seeks to highlight threats to heritage sites, drawing international attention to efforts to save them for future generations. Nominations from around the world form a long list, and an independent panel of experts select the final 100 sites.
Inclusion on the list does not come with monetary awards, although it does open the door to support from other preservation minded organisations across the globe, and from the World Monuments Fund, which offers logistical advice and consulting services to those on the list.
Graveyards decaying
Adam Wilkinson, Director of Edinburgh World Heritage, believes that Edinburgh's historic graveyards are an "incredible resource" for the
city.
"Their continued decay would be tantamount to a loss of part of
our cultural memory, as well as the loss of green oases in the heart of
the city," he says.
"We really welcome the City's positive move of putting the
five graveyards in the World Heritage Site forward for inclusion on the
World Monument Fund's list of most endangered sites as a means of
raising awareness about their plight beyond Edinburgh and Scotland, and
the focus this will give us, the council and the churches in
coordinating our efforts for their repair, interpretation and opening
to a wider audience."
"Valiant efforts have been made by the churches,
the council and other concerned groups, but a broader push is needed to
halt the decay, let alone help bring these places into good order and
make them safe and accessible for visitors and residents alike."
Responsiblity for maintaining graveyards usually comes down to a question of ownership. Headstones, tombs and memorials are owned by the family but over hundreds of years they are forgotten and fall into disrepair.
The City of Edinburgh Council and the churches are respectively responsible for general maintenance, but there are no funds available for repair.
Conservation works have been taking place, for example the City of Edinburgh Council, Historic Scotland, Edinburgh World Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund have all recently funded graveyard projects.
However, conservation experts are calling for a more comprehensive strategy to ensure high quality preservation of the tombs and headstones, along with improvements in pathways, lighting and the interpretation of the graveyards for visitors.
Councillor Deidre Brock, Convenor of the Culture and Leisure Committee for the City of Edinburgh Council said: "There is huge public interest in graveyards, both as records of our history and for those with a particular interest in family history. We welcomed over 1,000 visitors to these five historic graveyards at the recent Doors Open Day. I am delighted with this announcement and look forward to working with the World Monument Fund to help safeguard these important kirkyards and burial grounds."