Falkirk Old Parish Church, Scotland

Churchyard of Falkirk Old Church, Stirlingshire, Scotland

Visited September 2015

Falkirk Old Parish Church is a medieval building dating back to around the mid 15th century, although there have been churches on the side since about the 6th century (the Faw Kirk, or 'speckled church' was the first, and gave the town its name). As with many churches of this period, a lot of renovation, rebuilding and restoration was done in the 19th century.

The churchyard was pretty much cleared in the 1960s, although what remains contains some notable burials. In most cases their markers are replacements for the originals. They include the tomb of Sir John de Graeme, and that of Sir John Stewart of Bonkyll. Both died while fighting for William Wallace at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298. Other tombs commemorate men who died in the Battle of Falkirk Muir, part of the Jacobite uprisings of 1746. At the East end of the church is the Zetland mausoleum, where the Dundas family (Earls of Zetland) were buried.

Some of the old gravestones which were cleared can still be seen, reused as paving slabs in the pathways of the churchyard. If you're in town (going to see the Kelpies or the Falkirk Wheel, for example) do stop off here - the interior of the church is also worth visiting, if it's open.