Urban explorer finds 400-year-old cemetery completely taken over by nature

A 400-year-old abandoned cemetery in the Scottish Highlands has stunned viewers on social media after it was revealed to have been completely taken over by nature.

The site, filmed by TikTok account Escapade_z, showed centuries-old gravestones protruding from a bed of plants and weeds that had been allowed to grow around them.

“I love how peaceful the places are and also their history,” said Escapade_z, who travels all over the country to photograph abandoned places Newsweek. “I just love history, it’s like a whole lost world out there just waiting to be found, places that were forgotten forever being rediscovered.”

In the 53-second video, recorded a few weeks ago, the TikToker could be seen filming various parts of the abandoned cemetery, including a crumbling mausoleum.

Since being posted on October 2, the clip has received an estimated 158,500 views and more than 13,300 likes.

A caption on the video read: “We found a 400-year-old abandoned cemetery in the Scottish forests. Many of the graves were too eroded to read but were beautifully decorated.”

“The whole place was slowly reclaimed by nature and the mausoleum [is] slowly begins to penetrate the earth.

“Some graves contained one person, others contained entire families. Mothers, fathers and their children.”

Escapade_z said that while several graves were from the early 19th century, the earliest one he found was from 1620. Another was from 1660.

Newsweek has emailed Archeology Scotland (AS) for comment.

According to AS, while the country’s historic gravestones are a valuable part of the national heritage, they are at risk due to time and weather.

“The number of historic gravestones preserved far exceeds the resources available to care and preserve them,” AS said. “Therefore, historic gravestones have a far better chance of survival if the public is committed to their preservation.”

“Although some work can only be carried out by professional conservators, members of the public can play an active and important role in conservation programs.”

The Scottish Government said in 2019 that there were at least 2,240 burial sites in the country, which fell under the jurisdiction of 32 local authorities, but many were historic and unused.

An overwhelming majority of people who commented on the video believed that nature taking over the cemetery was a beautiful thing.

TikTok user Rosieposiejosie said: “Doesn’t anyone else think this is incredibly peaceful? It feels like the definition of rest in peace, lost in the woods. Immersed in nature.”

KCaff added: “It’s beautiful the way it is. I love it when nature reclaims places. I hope no one ever ruins the beauty of this place.”

Orchard County 77 commented: “What an incredible place. Mother Nature is slowly and gently reclaiming her borrowed space.”

Uncle G posted: “Great video. However, it is sad that these are not historical sites that have been preserved.”

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