Designating Cathcart Cemetery, Glasgow

From 20 August to 24 October 2025, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) sought views on a proposal to list Cathcart Cemetery, in Cathcart, Glasgow.

The cemetery was designed in 1876 by William Ross McKelvie and retains much of its original layout. It includes boundary walls, entrance gates, a former gatelodge and ornate monuments set within landscaped, wooded grounds. The cemetery contains gravemarkers to many notable early footballers and other pioneers of the game. It is significant as a largely intact later 19^th century garden cemetery and is a good example of McKelvie’s work, who achieved renown for the quality of his designs. It also has significance for its association with Scottish footballing heritage in Glasgow.

Through Citizen Space, we invited members of the public to tell us if they agreed with the proposed designation and if they had further comments to make.

We consulted directly with relevant owners including East Renfrewshire Council (as the owner and the planning authority), Glasgow City Council, (as a planning authority for part of the site), and the Friends of Cathcart Cemetery.

Our selection guidance for designation and the policies we work to are published in the Designations Policy and Selection Guidance document.

We received a total of 24 responses to our consultation. There were 20 responses to the online survey and written responses from East Renfrewshire Council, Glasgow City Council, Friends of Cathcart Cemetery and the elected members (Councillors) of Linn Ward, Glasgow.

All of those who responded to the online survey strongly agreed with our proposal to list Cathcart Cemetery. Eight of the 20 respondents submitted additional comments, noting concern about the condition of the cemetery, its historical importance and its value as a green space for nature and recreation.

East Renfrewshire Council noted their appreciation of the cultural significance of the site and raised concerns about the implications of listing. They provided further information on the ownership and character of certain sections of boundary wall.

The Friends of Cathcart Cemetery and the Elected Members (Councillors) of Linn Ward expressed support for the proposal and provided further information and views on the significance of the site.

After considering the comments received during consultation, we have updated our Report of Handling. We have made a minor amendment to the proposed listing address to provide more clarity on the intended extent of listing with regard to the boundary walls.  

We have listed the cemetery at category C as Cathcart Cemetery, including gatepiers and quadrant walls on Clarkston Road, former cemetery gatehouse and war memorial at 160 Brenfield Road, gatepiers, gates, railings, stone boundary walls on Brenfield Road and Netherlee Road and monuments, and excluding interior of former cemetery gatehouse and early 21st century rear extensions, all brick-built boundary walls, and all cemetery structures east of Netherlee Road, Glasgow (LB52661).   

More information on our consultation can be found in section 4.3 of our Report of Handling, published on the Heritage Portal.

We have also published a report that summarises our online consultation survey and shows the responses in full where we have the necessary permissions.