Description

Formed 1820, comprised of 1-24th of an acre, retained by existing sandstone rubble walls of varying dates, to S, E and W, probably largely 18th century. Lower wall to N, later 19th century, squared and snecked sandstone with saddleback ashlar coping; wrought-iron railings and 2-leaf gate.

Gravestones: 29 graves with variety of gravestones and wall monuments, dating from between 1820 and 1867, inscribed in Hebrew characters. Tripartite, Greek wall monument to E wall.

Statement of Interest

As the first Jewish Burial Ground in Scotland (pre-dating the Jews' Enclosure at the Glasgow Necropolis by about 5 years), the Sciennes House Place cemetery is of historic importance. 2 stones are dated 1817 and 1818, but the ground was only purchased in 1820, so these were probably carved at this date. The Jewish community was strong in Newington, where, in 1867, the next Edinburgh burial ground was opened, at Echo Bank. The ground was very secluded for many years, only to become apparent with the formation of Braid Place to N, later in the century. The Causewayside Police Station to E, stands on ground formerly known as Jews' Close. The ground is currently in the care of Edinburgh District Council.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17803263

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)