The ‘Pirates Graveyard’ tucked away at the eastern tip of the Black Isle, in the small town of Cromarty, Highlands, Scotland
The graveyard itself is not signposted, but you will know when you have reached your destination as the entrance path is just opposite the servants’ tunnel (now disused) that leads up to the secluded Cromarty House.
Some of the grave glabs are almost 350 years old and decorated with skull and crossbones.
Because of its proximity to the sea and the staggering beauty of the multitude of skulls and crossbones on the table stones, St Regulus graveyard is sometimes called the pirates’ graveyard. There is, however, no evidence of pirates buried here. It is nevertheless an amazing place of remembrance and well worth a visit.
“St Regulus burial ground is located on a rocky outcrop opposite the tunnel entrance to Cromarty House on the road out of Cromarty up to Mains Farm. A chapel to St. Regulus once stood at the northeast end of the graveyard, parts of which were still visible in Hugh Miller’s lifetime (1802-56). In ‘Scenes and Legends of the North of Scotland’ he writes, ‘The ruins of the old chapel of St. Regulus occupy the edge of a projecting angel, in which the burying ground terminates towards the east.
Accident and decay seemed to wrought their worst upon them. What is now, however, only a broken-edged ruin, and a few shapeless mounds, was three hundred years ago, a picturesque-looking high-gabled house of one story.” (ambaile – highland history and culture)
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