Sites and Monument Record: Falkirk Parish Churchyard (SMR 721)
Description
Mainly cleared of stones 1958-62.
Notable small collection of monuments comprising chiefly:-
a) Sir John de Graham killed at Battle of Falkirk 1298. Rebuilt by William Graham of Airth 1773; again renewed and ornamented 1860, gothic ironwork with arched crown top of that date. Composite monument with wasted medieval effigy and other earlier fragments.
b) Sir John Stewart of Bunkle (?) 13th century slab with early 19th century superscription;
c) Rev. Robert Callander (+1686) slab with armorial details;
d) Gib table tomb, 1636 and 1773;
e) Murehead Monument (#1723) arched recess with effigies, elaborate cartouche flanked by twisted columns with segmental pediment, cherubs and acorn finial above.
f) Robert Munro of Foulis 1848, plinth and Sarcophagus with railings.
g) Men of Bute Memorial Celtic Cross 1877 erected by Marquess of Bute to those killed 1298.
h) Burial vault at NW corner. Small rubble-built, door and pediment with obliterated inscription pane at south end, slated roof piended at north end.
Churchyard Gate - Dated 1659. Moulded segmental arch. Buttress on east side recent. 19th century cast iron gothic gates.
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Object detail
In 2010/11 Falkirk Council carried out landscaping to the grounds. This included relocating the car park from the south side of the entrance drive to the north beside St Andrew's Church, removal of the shrubbery, planting a beech hedge on the perimeter, stone paving around the de Graeme Tomb, stone steps up from Newmarket Street, and a curving bench at the High Street entrance.
As part of the 1960 improvements a building on the High Street was demolished and the view to the church opened up. This necessitated the construction of a new stone pillar to support the east side of the gateway at this point. Access to the churchyard was no longer through the archway, but behind it to the east. The scheme was awarded a Civic Trust Award. Vandals swinging on the gate dislodged the upper stonework on the pillar in 1985 and this was repaired. New steps were placed in front of the gateway arch to the High Street in 1990. These were replaced in 2010 as part of the refurbishment.
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