Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust repair Cargill Cemetery entrance

Jan 1 2010 by Katy Gordon, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

PERTH and Kinross Heritage Trust has recently overseen the completion of repairs and restoration to historic features in Cargill graveyard, which were revealed last year during ivy-clearing works.

While removing the vegetation, contractors working for Perth and Kinross Council in 2008 accidentally dislodged the early 17th century sundial which crowned the graveyard's entrance arch.

Cargill graveyard is located off the A93 Perth to Blairgowrie road, on the banks of the Tay.

The Heritage Trust became involved after being contacted by a local resident and carried out an assessment of the arch.

This highlighted that as well as re-installing the sundial, restoration work was needed to other parts of the gateway, which is dated 1810 but made from older stone fragments.

Two large decorative stone balls were also taken down from the arch and stored with the sundial.

Stonemasons WL Watson of St Andrews were appointed earlier this year to carry out repairs to the sundial and the stone balls, repoint the archway with lime mortar and install new coping stones.

This work, funded by Perth and Kinross Council, has now been completed and the sundial and stone balls have been refitted, secured with new stainless steel pins.

In 2010, it is intended that overgrown shrubs in the cemetery covering many of the older headstones will be cleared.

Other ancient structures in the graveyard will also be made secure to enable safe access to all areas for visitors.

Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust is engaged in a programme of similar works at other historic graveyards in the local area.