Adam Skirving
Adam Skirving was born in 1719. He is famous as the writer of the Jacobite ballad "Hey Johnny Cope".
He farmed at Garleton Castle, near Haddington and at Prora. Skirving died in April 1803 and is burried at Athelstaneford.
"Hey Johnny Cope" satarises the Sir John Cope commander in cheif of forces in Scotland during the Battle of Preston Pans and mocks Cope as a coward.
Listen to the song
Archibard Skirving
Archibald was born in Athelstaneford in 1749. The son of Adam Skirving. He studied in Rome and London and later settled in Edinburgh, where he obtained some fame as a portrait-painter.
His most recognised work is his pastel portrait of Robert Burns. Skirving's chalk drawing of Robert Burns was based on Alexander Nasmyth's famous portrait. It is thought the work was partly from Nasmyth's famous portrait, and partly from Skirving's recollection of the poet, whom he met, it is said, at Edinburgh in 1786. Now in the National Burns Collection. Other works by Skirving including his portrait of this fater and a self-portrait are held by the Scottish National Portraig Gallery in Edinburgh.
Repairs
The lower part of the grave has failed completely and needs to be built up with sandstone rubble to match the surrounding walls and pointed in lime mortar.
The uper areas will have the old decayed cement pointing and vegitation carefully removed and be repointed with lime mortar.
An older, origional, headstone is lying horrizontally this will be carefully hand brushed to remove the moss and vegetation. Any loose parts or laminated inscriptions will be reattached.
The restoration of the Skirving Grave will fit into the wider landscape works which are planned. Natural stone paving will lead off the new resin bound path to the grave helping to highlight the importance of the Skirving Grave.
