Fishermans' graveyard
Broughty Ferry’s origins were the fisher folk and their heritage can be seen in the historic cottages on the seafront. Their graveyard at the bottom of Church Street is hidden and few people are aware that it even exists. It tells the story of the fisherfolk and their difficult lives in graphic detail. We think there is an opportunity to promote this heritage and feature the graveyard as part of it. If you agree please become a member and help us to highlight Broughty Ferry’s proud heritage and attract visitors to Broughty Ferry.
We have recently obtained £10,000 in funds from the Dundee Historic Environmental Trust which will see us begin work on the graveyard to effect minor repairs to some of the stonework, provide more suitable gates and install two story boards – one inside and one outside the graveyard.
We hope to continue with a further community based project based on the Graveyard and involving Grove Academy pupils.
A great deal of information is available at: http://www.monikie.org.uk/bf-oldburialground.htm
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- Fishermans Graveyard Broughty Ferry
I have lived in The Ferry for over nine years and didn’t know this existed. Must go and have a look.
I have lived in Dundee all my life and have never heard of this little gem. I definately need to check this out next time I’m in the Ferry.
I visited the site probably about 28 years ago with a school trip with Craigiebarns Primary School. I remeber having lots of fun making “rubbings” and hearing “gruesome” stories from our guide. It must have left an impression as I have often thought about it and recently went to look for it with my own children. With pointers from locals I discovered it behind wooden gates and was only able to peek past overgrown plants. I would love to go back and visit again and I’m sure lots of other families and schools would also.
Quite by accident I found the Old Burial Ground as a distant family member had catogarised it. I met a 6th cousin there after obtaining the key from the council. We wandered around amazed that beneath us were our ancestors. One story is my great great grandmother Graham Knight who died at the age of 37 and was buried there along with other family members who had died from cholera in 1866, her children were then raised by other family members as her husband `John Lawrence` had died before the birth of her last child of TB. I could not find a stone for them, and I know the graveyard was closed after that for fear of infecting others. I would love to help in any way I can.