Leighton family tomb

Granite family tomb, c1867, designed by John Leighton.

Materials: granite, brick, and mosaic tiles.

Plan: a rectangular tomb with burial chamber below, set in to a steep slope and standing on an east-west axis. Under the main granite section, brickwork in a Flemish bond is utilised to level the structure into the fall of the hill.

Exterior: the large and deep granite tomb is carved with broad flat ribs in a gothic style which frame brightly coloured and playful triangular mosaic panels of ‘memento mori’ imagery, or carved inscriptions. The panel to the south face features a rampant red lion within a shield; and a crest below displays the words ‘LIGHT ON’ which is a play on words for the Leighton family name. To the north face, a skull lies above the Latin motto ‘HODIE MIHI CRAS TIBI’ which translates to ‘Today me, tomorrow for you’. To the east face there is a carved date stone inscription ‘18 JULY 1867’, with John Leighton's monogram above, and to the west face, a floral flower mosaic interlaced with the words ‘HE/COMETH FORTH LIKE A/FLOWER/&/IS CUT DOWN’. All across the tomb, much use is made of symbols such as the cross patteé, and Leighton inspired monograms. The tomb also has a total of eight shield shaped stone plaques, two on each face, inscribed with the date of birth and death of family members. There is also an inscription at the western base which reads ‘L DEL: D.M & J. NEWALL Sc/DALBEATTIE NB’, referring to Leighton as designer and probably the name of the granite polishers and quarry who supplied the materials and executed the tomb. The top of the tomb has a shallow arrow shaped moulding which points east to St Mary's Church. Set in to the top of the arrow are the remains of three metal locating pins.