Lockdown continues – it’s just been extended two more weeks until at the least the end of February. I’ve been feeling a bit restless and wanting some sort of outdoor adventure. However, since one of the restrictions is that you’re not to go more than 5 miles from your home and I’m not so keen on taking public transport, I had to find something within walking distance.
I settled on a walk to the Glasgow Necropolis, a Victorian-era cemetery. For the sake of my wonderful (and extremely patient) Greek teacher, I must point out that Necropolis comes from Ancient Greek “νεκρόπολις”, meaning city of the dead. (There are many other nods to Ancient Greece through the styles of funeral statuary throughout the cemetery as well.)
I know this may sound like a morbid outing to some, but I find historic cemeteries like this one to be quite interesting a few different ways. First, there’s the history itself. I’ve been on a few tours of Philadelphia’s Laurel Hill Cemetery given by their “Friends” docents and you learn about a place’s history in the context of its famous, infamous, and should-have-been famous (an example of the last category is Dr. Mary Sue Abbott buried at Laurel Hill). With the shutdown, the Glasgow Necropolis tours aren’t running, but I look forward to going back for one in the future.
Like Laurel Hill, it’s set on a hill and has a nice view of the city and the surrounding hills. The view and the natural setting makes one nearly forget you’re right in a city, which is another treat. Apparently, it is the second-largest greenspace in the center of Glasgow.
The Glasgow Necropolis was built during a time when there were many crowded and unhygienic burial grounds in churchyards. The Victorian elite of that time created this cemetery to provide an example of “proper” and hygienic burials. Built as an interdenominational cemetery by an association of business owners, it housed the movers and shakers of the Victorian era – merchants and traders. Some, like the below, had pretty swanky monuments.
“We shall all be changed,
in a moment,
in the twinkling of an eye,
at the last trump.”
Perhaps strange to some, I also find visiting cemeteries to be a good reminder of the importance of living vibrantly. As my dear friend Anne reminded me recently of the words of poet Mary Oliver:
“Tell me what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Although I feel like a toddler in a middle-aged woman’s body as far as learning the art of living, I was grateful for the aliveness I felt during this short journey – walking in the snow, being surrounded by natural beauty and spending time with someone I love.
May you be safe, be at ease, be healthy and be happy.
A lovely excursion. I, in years past, was fascinated with cemeteries. Not so much as I am closer to being buried in one!