Springburn Virtual Museum

Community life

Sighthill Cemetery Company certificate D129, 30 Apr 1901

The land for Sighthill Cemetery was purchased in 1840 by a joint stock company. Of the 46 acres, at first only 12 were enclosed for use burial purposes, and were laid out to the design of the first superintendent, Thomas McKenzie.

The graves of the well-to-do occupy the crown of the hill, and look down on those of the less well off. There are some poignant memorials, including one for Robert Castel, who died with his entire family including five children after a gas leak at 87 Millerbank Street, despite a desperate rescue attempt by the Cowlairs Locomotive Works Ambulance Corps.

It was common for neighbours to have a collection for a memorial to a deceased person. Custom dictated that those from the six closes on either side of the deceased's home should contribute. The tablet was then displayed locally, before being moved to the cemetery.

Source: Glasgow City Archives