Porty People and Places

Portobello Cemetery opened in 1877. It is a large burial ground on the old raised beach above Brunstane Burn known as Brunstane Bank. I ran here this morning having heard the news that there is an acute shortage of burial spaces in the UK. Interestingly this one not only has space to expand but also has a large area of its plot dedicated to Indian and Pakistani burials. The setting overlooking the fields on the edge of Edinburgh is surprisingly peaceful and even the East Coast mainline trains seem to rattle respectfully past all these well kept graves. I have never seen a head stone with a hole in it like this. Ironically when I got home I received the sad news that one of our oldest friends from the days when we lived in the Midlands had died at the age of 82. He was a remarkable man who set us all an inspirational example. RIP John Ingram.