Previous Events – Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard

Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard Edinburgh Volunteers

First Sunday March 2026

01/03/202616/03/2026 Mark Hatton

So we were very busy litter picking, bin emptying, fence mending and path clearing today in the Kirkyard. After the clean up we went looking for gravestones which speak about people who went to work in India and the West Indies.

Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard Edinburgh Path Before — This part of the tarmac in front of the Kirk has been getting very muddy in the winter rains. So we set about clearing up the mud and putting it back on to a flower bed. This is the BEFORE shot.

Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard Edinburgh Path After — This is the AFTER shot, do you agree it makes quite a difference ? Now the kerb is clear to see, vehicles will hopefully be less likely to drive on to the grass, which pushes soil and mud out on to the tarmac.

Greyfriars Kirkyard First Sunday Volunteer Work

Previous Events

First Sunday February 2026

01/02/202603/02/2026 Mark Hatton

The mission for today was a thorough litterpick and a concentrated buddleia bash. A large buddleia bush has self seeded along the north wall. This produces many 1,000’s of seeds that blow on to the monuments from which germinates many invasive buddleia plants, whose roots force the stonework apart, damaging the structures. This buddleia bush had to go, to remove this seed source. Winter is the best time to do this as frosts should hopefully deter the root from regrowing. A determined effort took the bush down to ground level, then a couple of dozen copper nails were bashed in to further inhibit new growth. Thanks to all of the team who helped out today. And thanks to Edinburgh Bereavement Services who have agreed to collect the carefully bagged flower heads and cuttings tomorrow for safe disposal at Mortonhall.

Our next First Sunday is the 1st March 2026. All welcome to join us at 1pm meeting at the main gate.

This was the buddleia bush this morning.

And this is what it looks like after a very thorough haircut.

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First Sunday January 2026

04/01/202603/02/2026 Stuart Robins

KIRKYARD SPRING CLEANING

Today’s First Sunday focused on cleaning out leaves and litter from the locked lairs on the South side of the Kirkyard. A dedicated team of Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard braved the bitterly cold temperatures, keeping warm by brushing and bagging multiple huge black sacks. We have arranged for Edinburgh Bereavement Services (EBS) to pick up these bags on Monday Morning. Thanks to everyone who helped today, the lairs certainly look much better for it. And thanks to EBS for taking the bags away.

Our next First Sunday is February 1st, so hope to see you there.