Glasgow Necropolis, Scotland

The Glasgow Necropolis is a Victorian cemetery where 50,000 people have been buried. Only a small proportion of these are named on monuments and not every grave has a headstone.

Following the creation of Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris in the early 19th century, demand began for cemeteries in Britain. At the time the parish church held responsibility for burying the dead but there was a growing need for an alternative due to population growth and the decline in numbers attending church.

The planning of the cemetery began formally in 1831, in anticipation of a change in the law and the Glasgow Necropolis officially opened in April 1833.

Predating the cemetery, the statue of John Knox (a Scottish clergyman and a leader of the Protestant Reformation) sitting on a column at the top of the hill, dates from 1825.

Some of the monuments have been designed by major architects and sculptors of the time including Alexander Thomson,John Bryce and David Hamilton .

The main entrance is approached by a bridge which became known as the "Bridge of Sighs" because it was part of the route of funeral processions (the name is an allusion to the Bridge of Sighs in Venice).

Opening Times

Tours are run on Saturdays and Sundays. Email tours@glasgownecropolis.or for information.

The Necropolis is open to visitors from 7am to dusk daily.

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Ticket Prices

Tours are free - but you can make a donation towards conservation.

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Disabled Facilities

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More Information

Email: chair@glasgownecropolis.org

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