Scottish Cemetery

On 09.01.2024 my first solo trip of this year.... After my college official works.... At elgin, kolkata..... No tickets needed just you have to get permission from the gateman, and entry your name in the visitors book, then you can easily roam there.....I like the peaceful environment. For more interesting and informative reviews about West Bengal even kolkata then you should follow me here or on Facebook ..... Thanks🙏🌹❤

The Scottish Cemetery in Kolkata, owned by St Andrew's Church in BBD Bagh (formerly Dalhousie Square) is just a short distance from the more famous South Park Street Cemetery. One of the most unusual attractions in Kolkata is the abandoned South Park Street Cemetery. It's a hidden secret amongst the bigger attractions and you would totally miss it if you weren't looking for it. This gothic graveyard was established in the 18th century and was used for British officers and their families.

This cemetery is more than just a landmark for the departed. Over two centuries old, it is a part of our rich cultural heritage. Beyond continuous conservation efforts of the tombs, this site is also being protected and maintained as a biodiversity park. With countless species of plants and animals, the cemetery is a green serene wonderland.

Historic cemetery undergoing renovations and improvements. Picnic is possible here

A few pictures from my morning visit to the Scottish Cemetery. Most of the graves are from the 1700's and 1800's. It is maintained by the Scottish Heritage Trust, Glasgow, Scotland.

Visited today; it's a poignant, ruined and peaceful place still, though there is an effort underway to repair the damage of the years. Mr Glen Price, a local who greets the (very) occasional visitor, is the articulate and informative caretaker. A refuge from the cacophony and bustle of central Kolkata, wonderful!

A great experience

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Explore the historic Scottish Cemetery in Kolkata, India, where the resting places of prominent Scots and Europeans from the British Raj era reveal a rich tapestry of history. With tombstones dating back to the 1700s and 1800s, the serene atmosphere is a testament to the city's past. Maintained by the Scottish Heritage Trust in Glasgow, Scotland, it stands as a poignant connection to colonial times.

Scottish Cemetery at Calcutta was established in 1820 catering to the specific needs of the large Scottish population in the Kolkata area. These Scots, including soldiers, missionaries, jute traders and businessmen, were attached to numerous enterprises in the area such as the headquarters of the East India Company, and the administration of the British India, whose capital was here. The cemetery was utilised until the 1940s but was abandoned in the 1950s and neglected following India's independence. Well over 90% of those buried bear recognisably Scots names such as Anderson, McGregor, Campbell and Ross. Around 10% are Bengali.

The Scottish Cemetery is being maintained by the Kolkata Scottish Heritage Trust, Scotland, and St. Andrew's Church, Kolkata, for the conservation of monuments and creation of an Urban Biodiversity Conservation Park.

One of the historic Places of kolkata. The last burial was held recently. The place needs maintenance. It's sad to see the place crumbling.