Kirkcudbright Cemetery

Today's the day …………………….. to lay to rest

After yesterday's sad tale about the demise of John McMillan, mariner, presumed lost at sea in 1888 after his sailing ship, the Lady Maxwell  sank - I thought I would go today and find his grave in Kirkcudbright Cemetery.

I knew roughly where it was so it didn't take long to find it - and that's what is written on it in the extra.  Strictly speaking of course, it's not his grave but a memorial to him.  But Kirkcudbright Cemetery, on a hill behind the town, with a good view down to the harbour and over the Dee Estuary, would always be a fitting place for a mariner to be laid to rest.

I've done a bit more research about him and his family.  He was only 37 when he died, leaving a wife and four children, the eldest of whom was only ten years old.  It must have been quite a tough time for them - but I like to think that the wider family would have rallied round and given them as much support as they could.

John McMillan was obviously a favoured grandson of John Mitchell (that built our house) because he was specifically mentioned in John Mitchell's will.  He had been bequeathed the sum of £50 on the death of his grandfather seven years before …………………….