Churchyard With James Bruce Monument, Larbert Old Church

Irregular-plan multi-period churchyard / cemetery, partially enclosed with random rubble boundary wall, containing many unusual grave markers including cast-iron obelisk to James Bruce, Carron Ironworks enclosure with Distyle Doric temple mausoleum, several family enclosures, rare cast-iron grave markers and many other interesting grave stones dating from the 17th century onwards. Currently located in car park outside SE corner of churchyard (see Notes). William Haworth for Carron Ironworks, late 18th century. Cast-iron obelisk on plinth. Rectangular plinth with rope work edges and long inscriptions to side panels; 4 lions couchant with bared teeth to top corners of plinth supporting obelisk which is capped by classical everlasting lamp (simplified replacement of original). Oval reliefs depicting goddesses to each side of obelisk. CARRON ENCLOSURE: large irregular-shaped enclosure on sloping site with boundary/retaining wall topped by spear-headed cast-iron railings with decorative scrolled brackets; 3 steps to gate on S side of enclosure. Channelled sandstone ashlar Distyle Doric temple mausoleum at W of enclosure with 3 steps to portico, cast-bronze door, barrel-vaulted ceiling and Angel memorial on plinth inscribed to William Dawson. 1825 urn on tall fluted column inscribed to Joseph Stanton. Graves of other managers of the Carron Ironworks including several sarcophagi-shaped tombs and a brown marble Celtic Cross (1867). A detailed description of the other monuments is in 'Buildings of Scotland', p580. ELPHINSTONE AND DUNDAS ENCLOSURE: roughly square-plan enclosed by ashlar-coped random rubble boundary wall with plain iron gate; 1663 date stone over former entrance to E wall. Several memorial stones set in wall, the oldest dated 1640. Full description in RCAHMS Inventory, p156. OTHER FAMILY ENCLOSURES: predominantly enclosed with spear-headed railings set in low coped boundary walls. Most with large and imposing grave stones CAST-IRON GRAVE MARKERS: predominantly Sun Foundry, later 19th century in various locations across churchyard. Predominantly sandstone stones set in arched cast-iron frames, many in poor condition. Very rare cast-iron obelisk to George and Elizabeth Smith (died 1833) near centre of churchyard (poor condition). OTHER GRAVESTONES: a few 17th and 18th century gravestones; many early, mid and late 19th century and some 20th century stones of varying style, size and quality including several lying slabs and obelisks. Older ones fully described in RCAHMS Inventory pp156-8. BOUNDARY WALL, GATES AND GATEPIERS: coped random rubble boundary wall facing church with ashlar pyramidal-capped gatepiers; slightly taller, squared snecked sandstone boundary wall facing road with coped ashlar gatepiers and decorative 2-leaf cast-iron gates by Sun Foundry.