A 400-year-old graveyard left abandoned in the Scottish Highlands has stunned viewers on social media after it was shown to have been completely taken over by nature.
The location filmed by TikTok account Escapade_z showed centuries-old gravestones poking out from a bed of plants and weeds that had been left to grow around them.
“I love how peaceful the places are and the history to them too”, Escapade_z, who goes all over the country to record abandoned places, told Newsweek. “I just love the history, it’s like a whole lost world out there just waiting to be found, places that have been forgotten forever being re-discovered.”
Escapade
In the 53-second video, which was recorded a few weeks ago, the TikToker could be seen filming different parts of the abandoned graveyard, including a crumbling mausoleum.
Since being shared on October 2, the clip has attracted an estimated 158,500 views and more than 13,300 likes.
A caption in the video read: “We found a 400-year-old abandoned graveyard in the Scottish woodlands. A lot of the graves were too eroded to read but were decorated beautifully.
“The whole place was slowly being reclaimed by nature and the mausoleum [is] slowly starting to crumble into the earth.
“Some graves contained one person, others whole families. Mothers, fathers, and their children.”
Escapade_z said that while several graves dated back to the early 19th century, the earliest one he found was placed in 1620. Another was from 1660.
Newsweek has contacted Archaeology Scotland (AS) for comment via email.
According to AS, while the country’s historic gravestones are a rich part of the nation’s heritage, they are under threat due to exposure to time and the elements.
“The number of surviving historic gravestones far outstrips the resources that are available to care for and conserve them,” said AS. “As a result, historic gravestones stand a far better chance of survival when members of the public become involved in their conservation.
“Although some work can only be carried out by professional conservators, members of the public can play an active and important part in conservation programs.”
The Scottish government said in 2019 there were at least 2,240 burial grounds in the country that fall under the responsibility of its 32 local authorities but many are historical and not in use.
An overwhelming majority of people who commented on the video believed the graveyard being taken over by nature represented something beautiful.
TikTok user Rosieposiejosie said: “Does no one else think this is incredibly peaceful? It feels like the definition of resting in peace, being lost in the forest. Absorbed into nature.”
KCaff added: “It’s beautiful just the way it is. I love it when nature reclaims places. I hope nobody ever ruins the beauty of this place.”
Orchard County 77 commented: “What an incredible place. Mother nature slowly and gently reclaims her borrowed spaces.”
Uncle G posted: “Great video. It’s sad though that these aren’t historical sites and preserved.”
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