Inspired by his work towards his PhD thesis into the Glasgow Necropolis, a University of Glasgow researcher is to publish a book examining the myths and history surrounding this fascinating site.

The author of "Death by Design: The True Story of the Glasgow Necropolis" is PhD cemetery historian Ronnie Scott from the Scottish history department. The book surveys the architecture of the Necropolis monuments, graves and mausoleums and the architects who built them. He also tells the stories of the folk who inhabit the Necropolis or City of the Dead, as the word "necropolis" translates.

"Unlike the Pre Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, the Necropolis in Glasgow may not be able to boast of being the last resting place of anyone quite as famous as Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison or Edith Piaf but it does have its share of celebrity corpses," explains Ronnie Scott.

"By the middle of nineteenth century, anyone who was any-one in Glasgow was buried there or had a Necropolis monument erected to their memory. The designer of the first Royal Yacht Britannia, industrialists like Charles Tennant and Lord Kelvin (former Chancellor of the University and Glasgow's famous scientist) , a Polish freedom fighter, they're all here and all have their own interesting stories as do some of the rather less well-respected occupants, such as the professor of anatomy who encouraged body-snatching."

"The architecture of the tombs, gravestones and memorials is as varied as the lives the citizens of the Necropolis led and sometimes just as flamboyant.'

The publishing of the book coincides with the launch of 'The Friends of Necropolis', a new society for enthusiasts for the site.

Ronnie Scott remarks: "This is an excellent opportunity for Glasgow to recognise the value and history of the Necropolis and to further explore its potential as a major visitor attraction for the city of Glasgow."

According to Ronnie Scott the popularity of the Necropolis site by visitors to the city reflects the increased popularity of 'Dark Tourism' ﾖ meaning places of interest to tourists that have a sinister story to tell. Other examples of Dark Tourist visitor attractions include the Edinburgh Dungeon and Kilmainham Jail in Dublin.

The Necropolis holds many interesting links with the University of Glasgow, these include: the Blackfriars Church, when the University was on the High Street was used as the "official kirk" and professors and their families were buried in the churchyard there, when the university moved from the High Street, the contents of the Blackfriars burying ground were relocated to the Necropolis; three principal figures in the creation of the Necropolis all had strong University connections ﾖ James Ewing, Laurence Hill and John Strang; James Jaffray (Professor of Anatomy), the Reverend Doctor Duncan MacFarlan, (Principal of the University) are all buried there.

Ronnie Scott will officially launch his book "Death by Design: The True Story of the Glasgow Necroplis" on Thursday 9 June in Borders Bookstore on Buchanan Street. The book has been published by Black & White Publishing. For further details see: Black & White Publishing.

Ronnie Scott's thesis has been supervised by Professor Ted Cowen of the Scottish History Department. He regularly leads guided tours of the Necropolis and gives presentations on cemetery development and bodysnatching.

Professor John Lennon Chair, Moffat Centre for Travel and Tourism Business Development had the following comment to make:

'Interest in the phenomena of death and the visitation of of death sites is now accepted as a distinct area of tourism motivation (termed dark tourism). This work is a welcome and valuable history of the Glasgow Necropolis that traces the importance of the necropolis as a valuable record of Glasgow's people whose tombs and gravestones provide a rich illustration of the history and development of the city.'

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

For further details or to speak to Ronnie Scott please contact the University Press Office on 0141 330-3535.

?Friends of Glasgow Necropolis? will be officially launched in the Merchant?s House of Glasgow on Wednesday 22 June. To find out more please see: www.glasgownecropolis.com; www.glasgownecropolis.org.

First published: 1 June 2005