Maroon Mile North Merchiston Cemetery

North Merchiston Cemetery

Stop five of the Maroon Mile

Built in 1874, North Merchiston Cemetery is the final resting place for generations of Gorgie and Dalry residents, including Heart of Midlothian Football Club players, supporters, and officials.

Individuals laid to rest here include William Brown, a former chairman and major benefactor; Tom Purdie (1854- 1929), a founder member of the club and first captain; John McCartney (1866-1933), inspirational manager; Bobby Walker (1879- 1930), who, with 29 caps, held the Scotland national team caps record until 1931;

Robert Waugh, a noted player and trainer; and heroes of the Great War period: James Speedie (1893-1915), Walter Fairgrieve (1874-1915), and Alex Walker (1881-1916). Other notable graves include a common grave of the Magdalene Asylum which was situated in Ardmillan Terrace, and Commonwealth War Graves. North Merchiston Cemetery is known by locals as a wildlife haven. The cemetery has sparrowhawks and great spotted woodpeckers nesting among the trees and in recent times has often been visited by an albino grey squirrel.

When walking through the cemetery you can hear the birdsong and the space provides a quiet place for reflection away from the hustle and bustle of Gorgie Road. An array of insects can also be discovered here, including 26 different species of hoverflies (including the footballer hoverfly) and ladybirds hibernating on gravestones in winter. Trees in the cemetery include lime, whitebeam, holly, and ash, and during certain times of the year, snowdrops carpet the cemetery ground.

Heritage Trail Audio

Stop 5 - North Merchiston Cemetry

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The Tivoli Cinema

The Tivoli Cinema opened its doors on 26 August 1913. The original cinema was the
brainchild of three local entrepreneurs, two of whom (Bobby Walker and R
Raymond) were associated with Heart of Midlothian Football Club.

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As the nearby Dalry Cemetery became more full, its owner, the Edinburgh Cemetery Company, realised that another graveyard was required in the area. In 1874 came the announcement that a new cemetery was to be created. Originally to be called Dalry New Cemetery, it became known as North Merchiston Cemetery...

‘Think on us, seein’ these tall stanes Of us, the owners o’ but bnes Below the ground o’ Old Dalry When “Penny all the half-times!” cry.

Think on us, as you tread that street How we lie here wi’ folded feet When Hearts as bright as hips and haws The blast around their jerseys blaws.

Rangers’ light blue or Celtic’s green Would be a sight for our sore een But Hearts alone our hearts could hauld In the cold clay that we are clad.

Oh merry merry have we been All along the grass so green, Beneath yon lean and curdled sky “Hey, hey, Hearts’ ba’!”— to hear that cry!
Oh big and bigger grows our gate You’re not shut out if you come late An’ you should hear us makin’ our moan On this side o’ the Coffin Loan.
Oh to be stridin’ up Dalry Wi’ a wind that flaps the flags so dry And onwards to Tynecastle green When we had Walker and his men!