You may not be aware of this, but across Scotland there are surviving cairns which mark where somebody who had taken their life was once buried. Generally the names have been lost and most of these cairns are to be found on the boundary lines of parishes.
To play this short film please click here or on the image above.
(1) LESLIE’s Cairn, Forgue Parish boundary
(2) PURDIE’s Cairn, Cockburnspath Parish boundary, Berwickshire
(3) AULD GUID WIFE’S CAIRN, Longside Parish boundary
(4) POORMAN of HAGGS [POOR MAN has been scored out], Inverkeithney Parish boundary, Banff
The suicide graves, north of Braco: Here half-hid:
To play this short film please click here or on the image above.
Personal Note:
The placing of these cairns is a clear marker of the marginalisation of people who have felt the need to end their lives. Their stories have, more often than not, been lost. I feel strongly that current conversations on suicide prevention have to work harder to include those who might be seen to be on the boundaries. My own experience of suicidality was directly related to prescribed medication and I have encountered resistance to bringing this kind of story into the centre of discussion where it should belong.
To play this short film please click here or on the image above