The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

WITH
ChurcJiyard ]Vatcliiug. 303
CHURCHYARD WATCHING.
reference to what Mr Macbain says in his essay
on Superstition relative to Churchyard Watchin"-,
there are many wonderful stories connected with the watch-
ing huts (or " bothain chatt/iris'' as they were called in
Gaelic), which are still to be found in our old burying--
grounds. At the time of the scare regarding resurrectionists,
it was the duty of the friends of the last person buried in a
Churchyard to hold watch till the next burial took place
when, of course, the friends of the last deceased relieved the
watchers. In districts where the population was sparse,
and funerals seldom, the spell of watching was frequently
prolonged, and became rather irksome. Accordingly when
two deaths occurred in a parish, something like indecent
haste was exercised to have the funerals carried out, in
order, if possible, to have tlie better of the other corpse, and
get off with but a short vigil. On one occasion two
funerals were approaching a cill in Cowal from opposite
directions, and, knowing the " use and wont," that the watch-
ing fell on the friends of the last corpse to get inside the
churchyard, both funerals increased their pace, in order, if
possible, to get inside the churchyard first. When nearing
the cill, it was evident that the party from the north end of
the parish would be inside first, as the gate was on the side
to which they were approaching, while the other part\- had
to go round the end wall to get to the gate. When pas.-iiKr
the wall, and fearing they would be beaten in the lace, a
wag in the latter party shouts " Thar a ghai-aidh i" (over
the dyke with her), and \.\\c old caillcach was uncereiiioni-
ou.ily pitched over. A little bo\-, a grandson of the