Both Of our Summer Newsletters can now be accessed here.
Summer 2026 Newsletters
St. Cuthbert’s Cemetery, Kirkcudbright (the Kirkyard)
St. Cuthbert’s Cemetery, Kirkcudbright (the Kirkyard)
[Revised from the original Galloway News ‘Museum Piece’ (July 2010)]
St. Cuthbert’s Cemetery (the Kirkyard) is of particular historic interest. The older, lower part of the cemetery is known to be the location of the original ‘Kirk of St Cuthbert’, possibly established sometime in the period 680 – 750 when Galloway was part of the Anglian kingdom of Northumbria. The church may have been an important mission centre or minster to spread Christianity in this part of Galloway. The new church was dedicated to the patron saint of Northumbria – St Cuthbert. Although the church has long since gone, its name moved down the hill to the burgh and port which was established sometime after it on the banks of the Dee – Kirkcudbright.
The earliest burial within the bounds of the present cemetery may date as far back as sometime in the 10thcentury. In May 1888, when the cemetery was extended on to the higher ground above the original site,
workmen came across a type of Norse or Viking sword together with a cloak pin and a glass bead. No skeletal remains were found, but the group of finds is typical of a pagan burial of a sword-carrying Viking freeman. These finds can now be seen in The Stewartry Museum in Kirkcudbright. But why was a pagan Viking buried near an early Christian church? Such a burial fits the hypothesis that men of Viking descent were encouraged to settle on the Stewartry coast, receiving land in return for military service to counter the threat of attacks by other Vikings or Gaelic-speaking raiders from Ireland. The Norse derivation of place-names in these areas, such as ‘Borgue, ‘Rerrick’, ‘Rascarrel’ etc. is thought to be further evidence of this deliberate settlement policy.
The kirkyard contains several interesting monuments. The earliest gravestone, dated 1620, commemorates a John Shawe, and the large and impressive Renaissance monument to the left of the main
BRIDGE AT Kirkcudbright. (To the Editor of the Dumfries and Galloway Courier.)
1st of January 1858.
‘Sirs, the inhabitants of Kirkcudbright have for upwards of half a century been tantalized with prospect of the erection of a bridge over the River at Kirkcudbright. When I was a boy, I well remember that when a candidate for the Stewartry appeared in the field, it was given out that he would procure us a bridge, and the running of the Mail Coach viz Kirkcudbright. These were then the grand desiderates of the town; Member after Member was sent to Parliament, but the bridge was lost sight of, except when some humane and public spirited gentleman like the late Mr McCulloch of Ardwall, shocked by the ever-recurring sacrifice of human life at our abominable Ferry (it is exceeded in this respect only by the Ferry at Creetown), attempted to rouse the Road Trustees of the Stewartry to a feeling of the clamant demand for a bridge. Ardwall’s agitation was received in the County meetings very much in the same manner as was the late Mr McCulloch of Barholm’s half-yearly motion for a petition to the House of Commons for the repeal of the Corn Laws; but by
earnestness and perseverance, he succeeded in getting the late Mr Jardine brought out to make a survey and inspection for a site. Mr Jardine made his report, but nothing followed on it excepting much grumbling at the payment of the expense of it. Ardwall, wearied out and displeased, ceased troubling, declaring that he at least would, like many others, avoid the Ferry, and take the circuitous route by way of Tongland and Tarff Bridges in all time coming. There is now a prospect of a railway, this circumstance induces me to address you. I am not wild on the subject of a railway. I do not imagine, like some persons, that the obtaining a railway is to convert Kirkcudbright into a miniature Liverpool or Glasgow. One good the formation of a railway to Kirkcudbright will effect is the erection of a bridge at Kirkcudbright; another is the making of suitable breastwork along the river side for the accommodation of our splendid steamer, where she may, with safety and even dignity, take her berth, instead of twining and twisting herself (at the risk of breaking her back, and the Jetty itself), into the present dock. Let all, while having their various opinions as to the extent of the advantage of the railway itself, unite in viewing it as a means to an end. I mean, to a bridge. Unless a railway is made, there is no chance whatever for a bridge for the next hundred years, if even at the expiry of that period. Without a railway Kirkcudbright must become stationary or rather fall behind. We boggled for years at gas, at steam, and at the telegraph, but have had to accept all of them, and are nothing the worse, but very much the reverse. Why, then, should we fear the rail?
By agitation we obtained a lighthouse; by a like course, we shall get a rail, and then the bridge. Without it the lumbering old tub of a ferry boat will continue to trail slowly along from mud bank to mud bank, sometimes having for a part of her cargo, a cart, the contents of which are redolent of a town ashpit, while the other part may be a conveyance, giving out sweet essences and filled with crinoline (for there is no first class, second class, or third class arrangements at our ferry). Let the inhabitants of the town and district
Jim Bell’s Blogs
Jim Bell has been posting articles on Facebook which cover a lot of local history. He has kindly allowed us to copy these and post them on our website. They are very varied and interesting. They can be accessed here. https://www.kirkcudbrighthistorysociety.org.uk/category/featured-article/jim-bell-blog/
Common Good Consultation 2026
Dumfries and Galloway Council has launched a consultation on a proposed update of the Common Good Fund. Although the Consultation doesn’t affect us, the Common Good list of properties is interesting. The link is here and those properties in Kirkcudbright are attached https://www.dumfriesandgalloway.gov.uk/council-elections/have-your-say/consultations-engagements
Summer Walks
Now as July starts we are looking forward to doing our Summer Walks.
Tak Tent article
During a recent visit to the Museum, Prof. James Floyd was interested to discover a small display of heraldic porcelain. He was especially impressed by the Kirkcudbright Tee Total Society piece and the McClellan tea service. His observations were published in the latest Tak Tent, the newsletter of The Heraldry Society of Scotland, and he has kindly given permission for us to post the article on our website. tak tent article