Revealing the Secrets of the Grave

The Angus & Dundee Roots Festival took a slightly macabre twist on Tuesday with tours of two of the historic cemeteries in the area - Dundee's Howff Burial Ground and Kirriemuir Graveyard.

The Dundee Howff Tour was led by Iain Flett, Dundee City Archivist, and Innes Duffus, Archivist to the Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee. Iain and Innes pointed out interesting tombstones throughout The Howff, from the 17th century to the close of burials in 1857, and discussed some of the captivating Dundee characters interred in the graves.

"I found the tour fascinating," said Carol Carr from Dundee. "I've walked through The Howff so often without paying much attention to the gravestones but now I know what the symbols on the gravestones mean and what to look for, I'll be studying them in great detail."

The Roots Festival tour of The Howff also included a visit to nearby St Andrews Church, which is also known as the Trades Kirk, as it is the church of the Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee. As Innes Duffus showed the Roots Festival delegates round the church, he pointed out the banners of the Nine Incorporated Trades on the walls and where the Deacons of the Trades sit for the Kirkin' of the Trades, the annual event which takes place on the Sunday nearest St Andrew's Day.

The tour of Kirriemuir Graveyard was equally interesting. Local historian Ian McKenzie provided a wealth of information about the graveyard, which contains graves from 1858 to the present day. Ian, who has carried out considerable research into his own family's local roots, also provided valuable advice about obtaining genealogical information from gravestones and burial records, which was much appreciated by the family history researchers who attended the tour.

The Angus and Dundee Roots Festival continues until October 4. If you would like to find out more about your ancestors or the events taking place during the Festival, please visit our Roots Festival section.