Nestled within the sprawling grounds of Callendar House Estate, a 14th-century French chateau, lies a forgotten relic steeped in history—the Forbes Mausoleum. While the estate is a popular destination for joggers and dog-walkers, few are aware of the abandoned mausoleum concealed within the forest’s depths.
Dating back to 1816, the Forbes Mausoleum stands as a circular, Classical monument honouring the memory of William Forbes I. Designed by the renowned architect Archibald Elliot, its twelve fluted columns emerge majestically from a podium, silently bearing witness to the passage of time.
It stands as a testament to the expertise of stonemasons of the time. Their intricate craftsmanship is evident in every aspect, highlighting the timeless allure of hand-carved stonework
Above the doorway, an inscription from a Greek poem serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of life:
“All things we mortals call our own
Are mortal too and quickly flown;
But could they all forever stay,
We soon from them must pass away.”
Surrounding the mausoleum lies a cemetery where several members of the Forbes family and estate workers rest in eternal slumber. Sadly, the ravages of time and neglect have taken their toll, with headstones broken or obscured by encroaching vegetation.
Walking northwest from the mausoleum, you will see the scattered remnants of these forgotten graves, each bearing silent testimony to lives once lived and now lost to the passage of time.
Sealed shut and abandoned for years, the Forbes Mausoleum now stands as a canvas for colourful graffiti, slowly succumbing to the relentless embrace of nature. Yet, amidst the decay and neglect, it remains a poignant reminder of the estate’s storied past and the enduring legacy of those who once called it home.
Each was buried according to Episcopalian rites.
“Falkirk Local History Society 2021“
In 1964, estate servants’ grave monuments were relocated near the mausoleum before building the college of education. Now frequented by the public, the enclosure suffers from vandalism and graffiti. In 1993, the mausoleum’s metal door was replaced with a concrete barrier. Tragically, the stones commemorating the servants have been completely shattered.
As a time-served stonemason, witnessing the defacement of these historic monuments by graffiti and vandalism is deeply disheartening, a betrayal of the reverence and care with which they were originally crafted. It’s a constant battle between the desire to preserve and protect these monuments and the frustration of seeing them desecrated.