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Forbes Mausoleum CALLENDAR PARK
The Forbes family mausoleum is situated in the woods about 800 yards south east of Callendar House. It takes the form of a temple from the Classical period, circular with twelve fluted doric columns set on a drum podium.
It is attributed to Archibald Elliot and dated at 1816. The Mausoleum appears to have been erected by the first William Forbes for his wife who died very suddenly. Above the doorway there is an inscription in Greek which appears to be a verse by the poet Lucian. A free but reasonably accurate rendering of this is:
All things we mortals call our own
Are mortal too and quickly flown;
But could they all for ever stay,
We soon from them must pass away.
The Mausoleum has been unused for many years and is sealed up to prevent further vandalism. The surrounding enclosure contains a number of graves presumably of workers on the Callendar estates.
Ian Scott
February 2007 |
