CARING FOR HISTORIC GRAVEYARDS AND MEMORIALS
Below are some key points for caring for graveyards and gravestones. For more information see www.scottishgraveyards.org.uk, the Counicil for Scottish Archaeology website that resulted from the Carved Stones Advisor project supported by NCCSS. This initiative united cemetery professionals, heritage specialists, community groups, and individual members of the public to work collectively to safeguard the future of Scotlandís historic graveyards.

DO NOT:
Create new paths through an ancient graveyard.
Disturb memorials.
Use gravestones as paving flags for paths.
Cut into ground surfaces in disused churchyards because of the risk of disturbance to archaeological remains.
Expose stones below the ground surface.
Let mowers and strimmers come into contact with memorials.
Strip turf around the base of gravestones.
Rake out inscriptions to make then more legible.
Apply chemicals, including herbicides, to stone surfaces.
Pull live plant growth, especially ivy, from memorials or buildings.

DO:
Seek expert advice if any of the above is unavoidable.
Control harmful plant growth on buildings and memorials. Cut off the stem of the growth above its base, use an approved herbicide to prevent further growth, and allow it to die back.
Seek advice on consolidating disused churches and chapels in historic graveyards.
Respect and preserve boundary walls.
Keep detailed records of work, especially if memorials have to be moved or modified in any way. Lodge all records in a publiclly accessible archive
Remember that Listed Building Consent (from the local authority) or Scheduled Monument Consent (from Historic Scotland) may be needed before any work is carried out on protected graveyards.

A range of resources exist for those interested in graveyard recording, conservation and management. Details of these, plus links to any websites, are listed below:
Recording.

Carved Stones Adviser website
The website can be found at www.scottishgraveyards.org.uk and is a first point of call for all those interested in graveyards and gravestones. The website provides at a glance summaries of how to complete recording and conservation work and includes a large number of detailed guidance notes and booklets that can be downloaded. Topics covered include

Gravestone carvings and the history of graveyards
Finding out about existing graveyard surveys
Getting permission to record and who to contact before your start
How to record safely
Identifying different stone types
Identifying stone decay
Recording forms
Archiving and presenting survey work

The website also provides guidance for cemetery owners and managers to help integrate of conservation best practice within graveyard repairs and grounds maintenance.

Council for Scottish Archaeology (CSA)
Causwayside House, 160 Causwayside, Edinburgh, EH9 1PR.
TEL: 0131 668 4189.
Email: info@scottisharchaeology.org.uk
Website: www.scottisharchaeology.org.uk

Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS)
John Sinclair House, 16 Bernard Terrace, Edinburgh EH8 9NX.
Tel: +44 (0) 131 662 1456 Fax: +44 (0) 131 662 1477/1499
Email: NMRS@rcahms.gov.uk
Website: www.rcahms.gov.uk
RCAHMS records and surveys all forms of the built heritage in Scotland and makes this information available through the National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS). Within the extensive collections of the NMRS, there is material for almost 1000 of Scotlandís graveyards. Using CANMORE (www.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore.html) allows you on-line access to the database of the National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS).

Scottish Association of Family History Societies (SAFHS)
SAFHS Honorary Scretary, c/o DGFHS Research Centre, 9 Glasgow Street, Dumfries, DG2 9AF.
Website: www.safhs.org.uk/
The Scottish Association of Family History Societies includes all established family history societies in Scotland, as well as several national and regional bodies throughout the world. Its main aims are to promote and encourage the study of Scottish family history, and provide a forum for the exchange, collection and distribution of information among members.

The Scottish Local History Forum
D Williamson, SLHF, Department of Scottish History,University of Edinburgh
17 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh EH8 9LN. Tel: 0131 650 4030
Website: www.slhf.gcal.ac.uk/
The Scottish Local History Forum is the umbrella organisation for all individuals and organisations interested in the local history in Scotland. It publishes a journal three times a year, organises an annual conference in the autumn, campaigns on behalf of local history, compiles occasional reference works, and generally keeps those involved in local history in touch with Scottish activities.

Conservation and management
Association of Burial Authorities
139 Kensington High Street, London W8 6SU. Tel: 020 7937 0052
ABA represents the interests of organisations engaged in the management and operation of burial grounds. It has taken on some of the functions of the Memorial Advisory Bureau and is a useful source of advice on conservation and maintenance issues in churchyards and cemeteries.

Historic Scotland
Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SH.
Tel: 0131 668 8600
Website: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/
Historic Scotland is the government agency responsible for the built heritage in Scotland. Contact them for information about listed and scheduled graveyards and cemeteries. In 2001 Historic Scotland published the Practitionersí Guide to the Conservation of Historic Graveyards. Historic Scotlandís website also has a series of pages that give detailed advice about caring for graveyards and gravestones. Also available is the Scottish Conservation Bureau which holds registers of practitioners, offers grants, training and internships, and acts as a central enquiry point for advice and information on conservation in Scotland. Historic Scotland sponsors the Carved Stones Adviser Project.

Institute of Burial and Cremation Administration (IBCA)
c/o City of London Cemetery & Crematorium, Aldersbrook Road
Manor Park, London E12 5DQ
The Institute is the only organisation in the United Kingdom that supports individuals employed in the burial and cremation industry. The organisation, sets ethical, professional and social standards for the management of burial, cremation and related services. The Institute is also the sole provider of appropriate education and training to ensure that these standards are achieved and maintained.

Graveyard and Cemetery Liasion Group
The group was set up recently to identify and integrate the efforts of all relevant bodies who can influence practice in the management of burial grounds and cemeteries. Minutes of the meetings can be found on the Carved Stones Adviser website at scottishgraveyards.org.uk

The National Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM)
27a Albert Street, Rugby, Warwickshire V21 2SG. Tel: 01788 542264 Fax: 01788 542276
E-mail: enquiries@namm.org.uk
NAMM was founded in 1907 by a small group of British monumental masons anxious to raise standards of workmanship in the craft. This still remains one of the Association's prime objectives

Nature in the Graveyard:
Scottish Wildlife Trust
Cramond House, Kirk Cramond, Cramond Glebe Road, Edinburgh EH4 6NS
Tel: 0131 312 7765
The Scottish Wildlife Trust is a leading wildlife conservation organisation in Scotland. It is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland and is responsible for the management of over 125 wildlife reserves all over Scotland.

British Lichen Society
c/o Department of Botany, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD
Email: bls@nhm.ac.uk
Website: users.argonet.co.uk/users/jmgray/
The Society was formed in 1958 to stimulate and advance interest in all branches of lichenology

Living Churchyard and Cemetery Project
Arthur Rank Centre, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LZ. Tel: 02476 858347
This project has produced two valuable resource packs to promote the natural heritage in graveyards.