The Old Knab Burial Ground, also known as Lerwick Knab Road Cemetery, Lerwick Old Cemetery, and the Old Triangle Burial Ground, lies between Knab Road, Breiwick Road and Lovers Loan and contains around 450 known burials.

​

By 1829 the Old Lerwick Kirkyard between Church Road and Queens Lane had become full, and this triangular plot was designated as a burial ground in 1831.  Walls were added and an access road was created (now part of Breiwick Road), running between Bullet Loan (now Knab Road) and Twageos Road across the foot of the cemetery. In 1835 it was reported that Mr William Matheson, surveyor, had drawn up a plan of the ground and designed the classical entrance, with carriage access at the centre, flanked by a pair of pedestrian gates. Total expenditure on purchasing, walling and laying out the burial ground was £245 17s 3d.

​

The lairs along the walls were sold at 10s per running foot, while most of the central section was allocated to the Kirk Session of Lerwick as a burying ground  “in the understanding that any free benefit or revenue which might arise there from shall be applied by the Kirk Session of Lerwick in aid of the poor’s fund under their charge”.  The first lair to be sold was a plot on the south side, purchased by Captain Arthur Robertson in 1836.

​

Expenses incurred during the creation of the burial ground included:

• Mr Matheson (surveyor) fee - £3 3s

• Making the paths - £37 15s 10d

• Mr James Sinclair for making the entrance gate and grave diggers shed - £41 10s 4d

• Walter Robertson (wright) for making the gate doors - £7 12s

Just inside the gates lies a small mortuary building that served Lerwick for many years and still features the slab and sink from its former use, this structure was probably the grave diggers shed mentioned above.

​

The lairs around the exterior of the burial ground have become the resting place for many of the notable figures of Victorian Lerwick, with some family plots being used through into the 20th century.  The Shetland Family History Society have produced a very useful booklet with a transcript of all the headstone inscriptions.

​

If you don’t know this lovely little cemetery, next time you’re in Lerwick have a wander around, the gate is unlocked daily.

 

​

Further Reading:

​

Historic Environment Scotland - KNAB ROAD, BREIWICK ROAD, AND LOVER'S LOAN, LERWICK OLD CEMETERY, INCLUDING BOUNDARY WALL AND ENTRANCE GATE

​

Manson, T 1991 Lerwick During the Last Half Century

​

Shetland Family History Society (no 18) Parish of Lerwick (1) Knab Road, Queens Lane and Sound, Monumental Inscriptions

​

Tait E.S.Reid 1955 Lerwick Miscellany