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| Our makeshift gravemarker June 2026 |
Prior to our June 2026 trip, I reached out to the helpful folk at Burial Services at the Shetland Islands Council. I shared the details from our family records, and here’s what I learned: (2)
Hurrah! Wilhilmina was confirmed to be buried at the Knab Burial Ground located in Lerwick (which must have previously been called the “new cemetery”), in lair number 43, 3rd terrace, sloping/knab side. (3)
Her grave doesn’t have a marker, but they shared with me a map with a diagram of the location, a Google Maps pin (https://maps.app.goo.gl/1XsMSFczWoPaZp236), and a photo of the adjacent grave stone on the left, so we could be sure we found the right spot. (See the images, below)
Wilhilmina is the only one interred in that lair. It was bought by a solicitor for her interment on the 29th December 1896 (the day after her passing).
With regard to Robert, unfortunately, records were not consistently or accurately maintained for the majority of the Shetland burial grounds as far back as the 1800s, so some mysteries, including Robert’s burial place, will remain as such.
The current sexton (caretaker of the building and grounds of the church) of the Kirk at Hamnavoe shared that all the early records have been either lost or destroyed, so we can’t confirm or reject the Bruce Family Register we have that lists Robert (and some of his children) being buried there. (But I would like to believe that our family record and the local folklore is a credible source!) (4)
……..
On Friday, 12 June 2026, we made our way to the Knab Burial Ground. The weather was overcast and drizzly, and we were bundled up for warmth, but we were so excited to be there!
The directions that the council had given us to the lair were perfect - we found it easily. We brought a piece of paper with Wilhilmina’s name written on it, as well as her birth and death dates, to serve as a temporary marker. And on top we placed a small bouquet of wildflowers - pink, purple, and yellow - picked there at the cemetery. S also found a heart-shaped rock that we placed there as well.
We sat there for a time, taking in the gorgeous view, me sharing details of Wilhilmina’s life with the kids, feeling so good about having found her resting place, and feeling so satisfied that she is not forgotten. It was an incredible moment! I hope Wilhilmina is smiling down on us for our efforts. (And oh, Grandma Ella would be so pleased as well!)
What’s Next? We’ll work with the council to get a proper gravemarker in place for her, then we must go back to visit again. ❤️
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| The location of Wilhilmina's Grave |
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| For reference, the grave marker to the left of Wilhilmina's lair |
Notes:
See this post for more details about this research: Robert and Wilhilmina Bruce/Campbell - Final Resting Places (https://greatflyingscots.blogspot.com/2016/06/robert-and-wilhilmina-bruce-final.html)
From email correspondence with the helpful folk at burials@shetland.gov.uk in April and May 2026.
Fun fact: The "Knab" is the name of the sharp headland extending south of Lerwick on the Shetland Mainland. The Knab Burial Ground (part of Lerwick New/Old Cemetery) gets its name because it sits directly on top of or adjacent to this coastal headland. (Source: https://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst90268.html)
From email correspondence in January 2018 with TG, the steward of the North Isles Family History site (https://www.bayanne.info/Shetland/).
