Management of St Machar’s Cathedral Graveyard for Biodiversity

Everyone starts somewhere

The starting point for changing the management of the graveyard at St Machar’s Cathedral Graveyard in Aberdeen was a National Lottery fund application. This was to fund the restoration of the cathedral roof, stained glass and heraldic ceiling.  One of the requirements of the funding was to increase the number of visitors to the cathedral and its surroundings.  Making the graveyard more biodiverse was one way of attracting more visitors. Including school groups, which could use the outdoor space as well as the indoor space for learning. A simple way to attract more biodiversity is by changing the management of the graveyard’s greenspace.

For many years the graveyard had been managed by Aberdeen City Council. All areas were managed as closely mown grass with a range of trees and shrubs dotted around.  There are many gravestones and memorials in the graveyard which were routinely sprayed around to keep vegetation away from the stonework. This method was used to help minimise damage from strimmers and mowers.  The paths, including the grass edges along the paths, were also regularly treated with herbicide.

Let it grow – you may be surprised by what you already have

In 2020, the Cathedral Education Officer, Katherine Williams, contacted the Aberdeen City Council Countryside Ranger Service to develop ideas for improving the biodiversity of the graveyard.  Countryside Officer Ian Talboys came up with some ideas which were then discussed with the Cathedral Kirk Session.

The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions meant that the graveyard was not mown. Which was perfect as it gave an idea of what wildflowers might already be present. We also received comments on how good it looked with the long grass and flowers. Unfortunately, not all members of the Kirk Session were keen to see wildflowers and long grass. However, after a few meetings, a consensus approach was agreed.

A Steering Group, the St Machar Community Biodiversity Project, was created to oversee the kirkyard’s biodiversity aims. Some areas would remain as closely mown grass. Other areas would be managed to promote wildflowers and longer grass cut once a year in the late summer. Additionally to this new way of management native local provenance wildflower plug plants were added in 2021. Herbicide applications were also reduced to just the path network.

Over the years, the soil levels around many gravestones and path edges have dropped by 5 cm or more. This was due to prolonged herbicide application and subsequent soil erosion, which could eventually affect the stability of the gravestones. To raise these soil levels, volunteers barrowed in soil provided by the Council. Grass seed and creeping thyme were planted to give low maintenance vegetation cover and increased biodiversity.

Wildflowers growing around gravestones by Ian Talboys

Communication is the key to success!

The wildflower areas have flourished since 2021 with the new mowing regimes.  However, it has not all worked as planned. Unfortunately some areas planted with thyme and bulbs were mistakenly sprayed. Killing the plants planted by volunteers. The long grass areas have only been cut once in October but for the last two years the Council team have cut everything very close to ground level. Including the shrubs, perennials and thyme plants.  Some of these may regrow, but some have been lost. This shows the importance of good communication between the St Machar Community Biodiversity Project group, the City Council maintenance supervisors and operatives doing the work.

Historic Environment Scotland does not allow any excavations deeper than 50mm without an archaeological survey, as it is a listed historic monument. But an interpretation panel highlighting the biodiversity management will soon be installed in a large planter. This sign will help raise awareness on why the site is being managed and what people may see whilst visiting.

Schools and Groups

In addition to the physical changes to the graveyard management, the project has also involved the Education Officer developing activity sheets for families and groups to use on their own or for organised visits. She has offered popular biodiversity workshops to schools over the last three years themed on pollinators and they can make seed balls with native wildflowers and insect habitats from recycled materials. This spring she is working on a Tree ID trail with Lousie Page and has local schools booked to make a bee hotel and hoverfly lagoons with resources from Buglife.

In June 2021 a ‘Bioblitz’ was held in collaboration with NESBReC, Aberdeen City Council Countryside Rangers and other local experts. This public event was held to identify as many species as possible and to raise awareness of the site. We hope to hold another this year to see how the change in greenspace management has helped biodiversity.

Volunteers helping to improve the site for biodiversity and school children visiting the grounds Ian Talboys

Continued Biodiversity Management of the Graveyard

Volunteers have had regular monthly sessions to maintain and enhance the wildflower areas. This includes managing the amount of willowherb in some areas, planting wildlife friendly shrubs and perennial plants and bulbs to extend the range of food and habitat available.  Volunteers have planted up inside some of the lairs which are surrounded by curbstones, more are planned to be planted.  The Gardening Group activities are advertised on the Cathedral social media and in other places, with photos of the activities posted afterwards. Come join us if you’d like to learn more and help out!

Next steps for biodiversity management at the graveyard

We are going to build some nest boxes to put up around the graveyard, plant some more bulbs and wildlife friendly plants including some in planters near the east entrance to the graveyard and create more interpretation panels.  We are also hoping to encourage other graveyards to consider management for biodiversity.

Find out more about St Machar’s Community Biodiversity Project and how to contact them here: Biodiversity Project  | St Machar.

By changing the management of St Machar’s Graveyard, this community group are already seeing signs of increased biodiversity. Images by Ian Talboys