Main Gate, St Michael's Churchyard, St Michael Street, Dumfries

The Main Gate at St Michael's Churchyard in Dumfries is an irregular-plan enclosure that includes the church, Burns' mausoleum, and a significant collection of fine monuments, primarily from the 18th and 19th centuries. The gate is located at the northwest and features tall pilastered piers topped with urn finials, which may date back to the mid-18th century. These piers house watch houses and are accompanied by wrought-iron gates and an overthrow. The enclosure walls are built from rubble. Notable features include the grand baroque Sharp of Hoddom monument from around 1710, which was restored in 1894, as well as martyr's slabs and a granite obelisk monument from 1834 inscribed "A Newall." There are also many tall upright slabs, including monuments to the Hood family created by Walter Newall. The site also includes an enclosure related to the cholera epidemic, as well as the Holy Cross churchyard and chapel.