Crathes Castle, Burial-ground

B30 Burial Ground

(photograph Ap.13.54)

The Burnett family burial ground is located on the edge of the south policies overlooking Crow Wood field and is situated on or close to the line of the former Butler's Road. It comprises a roughly rectangular enclosure, c.34 x 15m, with an entrance on the north side leading to path C15. Low walls and gate piers in stone, with ornate wrought-iron scroll-work railings and gate with pointed tops. It contains seven memorials, with an oak close to the south wall, another near the east end, and a group of birch in the centre. The burial ground was retained in the ownership of the Burnett family at the time of transfer of the rest of the property to NTS; the gate is kept locked.

Ornamental planting in the vicinity includes a number of conifers on the west side.

Anon. Lady records the following details: “After the death of Bertha Burnett on 25th September 1898 a new family burial ground was consecrated by the Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney (Douglas) as it had been decided to cease using the enclosure in the Banchory cemetery.

“The new ground was walled in, laid out and water laid on the year following its consecration. The expenditure on the ground was £228.10.1.

“The last member of the family to be buried in Banchory was Alexander Edwin Burnett who died at Crathes in 1897.”

Shown on plans in keeping with stated construction date.

(CRT97 B30).

Information from NTS (BNMMB) January 2015