Sitting high above the city of Glasgow is the beautiful and haunting Glasgow Necropolis. This 37-acre Glasgow cemetery dates back to the 1800s and is the final resting place for 50,000 Glaswegians. The Glasgow Necropolis is a testament to the grand cemeteries of the Victorian age and is a great place to visit and rediscover some of the prominent people of Glasgow’s past.
History of the Glasgow Necropolis
The 19th century is a fascinating period when it comes to exploring public attitudes towards death. It’s in the Victorian period that there is a shift from a grim and fearful outlook of mortality, to the more hopeful and uplifting attitudes that characterize this period. It is well-known that the Victorians had a particular fascination with death and the ceremony of death became very much a public event.
Another characteristic of the 19th century is the rise in popularity of garden cemeteries to help deal with issues of overcrowding in city centres. Garden cemeteries were unique because they were built outside of the cities, while still in close enough proximity to allow family members to visit the resting place of their loved ones. Perhaps the most famous garden cemetery of the time period is the the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France. As a result of the opening of Père Lachais in 1804, other cities, including the city of Glasgow which at the time was known as The Second City of Empire, began to take inspiration for their own burial sites.
The land that was to become the Glasgow Necropolis was originally owned by the Merchant’s House. In the early 19th century the land was a Victorian park, known as ‘Fir Park‘, and it wasn’t until 1825 that it started to transform into the cemetery we know today.
In 1825 the foundations for a monument to John Knox began to be laid. John Knox was a 16th century Scottish minister who is credited for bringing the Protestant Reformation to Scotland. According to The Friends of the Glasgow Necropolis, the monument’s statue was the first of John Knox erected in Scotland and while John Knox isn’t actually buried in the Glasgow cemetery, the statue was of great public interest.
After the erection of the Knox monument, the Merchant’s House took inspiration from the Père Lachais Cemetery and decided the land was perfect site for a similar-style graveyard in Glasgow.
The first burial in the Glasgow Necropolis was in 1832 and since then there has been approximately 50,000 burials onsite which consists of 3,500 tombs and monuments. The Glasgow Necropolis has always been interdenominational and there is a mixture of both marked and unmarked graves.
The Glasgow Necropolis has long been a popular tourist destination, with thousands of visitors recorded towards the end of the 19th century.
Notable Burials
There are quite a few interesting burials in the Glasgow Necropolis, and while the individuals perhaps aren’t as famous as the ones you might find in Père Lachais, I’ve listed a few below that I find fascinating from a Glasgow history perspective.
Hugh Tennent – The first producer of one of Scotland’s most famous beverages, Tennent’s lager. Hugh Tennant began production of Tennent’s lager in 1885 and is buried alongside his father and brother in the Glasgow Necropolis. Fittingly, their graves all face the nearby brewery.
Charles Tennant – Not to be confused with the brewers, Charles Tennant was a Scottish chemist and industrialist, known for discovering bleaching powder.
Isabella Elder – A Glaswegian philanthropist who was a prominent supporter of female education and provided support to higher education institutions within the city. She was also known for her interest in the welfare of the area of Govan, where she created Elder Park. Within the park is Elder Park Library, her gift to the people of Glasgow.
William Miller – A Scottish poet, famous for writing “Wee Willie Winkie” which went on to become a well-known children’s bedtime story.
William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin – A prominent mathematical physicist and engineer that taught at the University of Glasgow for 53 years. He made numerous contributions to science and is perhaps most famous for inventing the international temperature scale, the Kelvin scale. While visiting Glasgow, you’ll also notice that a number of other things in the city are named after him, such as Kelvingrove Park or the beautiful Kelvingrove Museum.
William Burns – A Scottish historian, lawyer and nationalist who is most famous for his campaign to create a national monument to the famous Scottish hero, William Wallace. In 1851, he started the campaign for the building of the Wallace Monument and was present at the laying of the first foundation stone in 1861.
Key Information for Visiting the Glasgow Necropolis
How do I get there?
The Glasgow Necropolis is located east of Glasgow City Centre and can be reached by public transport. It’s easiest to take the train to High Street Station and then walk 10-15 minutes to the cemetery gate. If you’re up for a bit longer of a walk, the Glasgow Necropolis is also about a 20-minute walk from George Square.
If it’s a rainy day or you’re unable to walk from one of the stations, I would recommend taking a taxi. One of the great things about Glasgow is that taxis are very affordable (compared to somewhere like London) and can be easily hailed on the street. Glasgow taxi drives are also famous for their friendliness and I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to tell you a story or two on the short drive over!
How much does it cost to enter?
The Glasgow Necropolis is free to explore, however The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis do accept donations for the upkeep of the cemetery. If you’ve enjoyed your time you can make a donation here.
Can I book a tour?
Tours are available through The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis website. If you prefer to wander through the cemetery at your own pace, they also have guidebooks available to purchase online.
Who is the Glasgow Necropolis Suitable for?
As an outdoor attraction, with plenty of space for exploring, it is suitable for both adults and children. You can admire the cemetery from number of different vantage points however you it’s important to be mindful that you will need to climb a few steps to reach the top. If you prefer not to climb the hill however, you can admire the gravestones from the bottom of the hill near the cathedral.
What else is there to do in the area?
While east of Glasgow’s city centre you can also explore the medieval Glasgow Cathedral, which is just beside the Necropolis. Also near the Necropolis is the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, named after Glasgow’s patron saint. Less than a 10 minute walk from Glasgow Necropolis are both the Wellpark Brewery (home of Tennent’s Lager) as well as the Drygate Brewery, a great place to taste the city’s craft beer. I highly recommend stopping in at both places for a real taste of Glasgow culture.
The information in this article was last updated in July 2022.