Greetings – we’ve been traveling again so you haven’t heard from us in a while. But we continue to visit beautiful cemeteries whenever we can.

When we were in Scotland earlier this summer, we visited the Orkney Islands, home to several Neolithic sites dating back some 5000 years. Standing stones, a reconstructed village and a burial chamber make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In addition, in the main town, there’s a very historic cathedral and burying ground, St Magnus Cathedral, dating from the 1100’s.

We posted Canongate Kirk and Burying Ground a while ago but I’ve recently learned of another interesting interment. Please see the updated version with The Skating Minister. (Scroll to the end please)

Enjoy.

Edinburgh Castle

Greetings — our recent trip to Scotland was filled with wonderful experiences. The Edinburgh Castle was certainly a highlight but little did we expect to find a cemetery there. We hope you enjoy the Regimental Mascot Dog Cemetery.

And at the far end of the Royal Mile is the Canongate Church Burial Ground. Among its important interments are two of Scotland’s most famous artists, both of whom are featured in the current exhibition from the National Galleries of Scotland at the Kimble Art Museum in Ft Worth Texas (through Sept 20, 2015). If you’re in the area, check out this show of some of their greatest works, many never seen in the US.

Enjoy.

Greetings — several readers sent interesting information following the last posting about Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Gayle sent a quote from Jim Morrison: “Death makes angels of us all and gives us wings where we had shoulders smooth as raven’s claws.”