Mark Hatton

When the time came, Archibald chose to wear his best wig on the flight up to heaven, leaving his bones behind on earth.

This one has a delightful Adam & Eve design with an upside down skull in a swag above. This stone has been conserved and remounted in a protective covering.

SKULL SUNDAY A very fashion conscious skull which appears to have flowers for ear rings. If only they had taken as much care of their teeth. 😃 💀 💀 💀 ☠️ ☠️ ☠️ 💀 💀 💀

Skull Sunday

These eye sockets seem to follow you around as you explore this magnificent graveyard. Not intimidating or disapproving, just observing us.

Greyfriars Memorials in Date Order 1606 to 1691 fogk.org/2025/12/07/gre…

Stonemasons often carved skulls on 17th / 18th century memorials to communicate the need to be ready for death. The appearance of the skull varies widely, with some having more personality than others. Here the Mason has created a skull that is both charming & chilling ☠️ 💀 ☠️

Join us on Sat 18 April when we unlock the mystery of this unique tomb • In person: In Greyfriars Kirkyard, followed by expert talks at Augustine United Church. Book via Eventbrite: JohnBayneGreyfriars.eventbrite.com • Online: live streams at 11.00am & 11.30am via facebook.com/edinburghworld…

Both of these headstones were lifted & moved many years ago & now lean against the same churchyard wall. The carved face of one looks at the wall, whilst the other looks outwards. As a result these faces have very different exposure to sun & rain, with very different consequences

I knew I needed to remember something …… but what was it ? Don’t forget the time, remember to get your haircut, resit the anatomy course ……. ahhhh, it’s killing me.

Do we have any Latin Scholars here who can translate this inscription ?

@flipdrivel Yes, this shows the soul of the deceased ascending to heaven. So stonemasons will often try to portray them as faithfully as they can.

@TheHatton Is that the face of the deceased with the wings? Is it likely to be lifelike or just standard issue?

Some headstones have the power to draw you back for another look. To soak up their meaning, artistry & beauty. To cause you to ponder on the people, period & place that created these sermons in stone. For sure this is just such a stone. Mortality & Resurrection personified.

@Barb_Drummond The neck wear does look a bit cleric like, but do they have 12 pairs of buttons up the front ? No mention of a cleric role on the inscription.

@TheHatton Cleric?

Henry Whitaker died in 1708. Is he shown on his gravestone wrapped up tight in a mort cloth ? Or is it just an armless shirt ?

What’s happening here ? The deceased is shown naked, clutching a skull & a bone. Meanwhile a pair of Angels place a crown on his head. This is the moment that the Crown of Everlasting Life is awarded to a good Christian, ensuring they have a new and blissful life in Heaven.

The triumph of the Soul. The soul is free to ascend - youthful, healthy & with a full head of hair (I miss my hair ;o) The mortal remains are bound to the earth where they could apply for a role as a physiotherapist’s model skeleton.

The soul of the deceased emerges from behind the shroud, with wings attached, ready to ascend to heaven. They are naked, to shown they are reborn. These resurrection scenes must have been of great comfort to the family and reassuring to everybody else.

I didn’t expect this one. I gently lifted away the moss to be presented with a Serpent coiled around the decaying bones of the deceased, whilst holding out towards me the forbidden fruit. I am being tempted to sin here, the consequences of which brings death to all mankind.

Apparently the locals had very long arms with huge hands, big feet and broad shoulders. At least that’s what the Stonemason was told.