It is said that William MacKenzie gambled, and one night promised that the Devil could have his soul - once he was "six-feet under" of course - if only he won a big hand. He did.
But MacKenzie had the last laugh. It's said that ordered the pyramid tomb so his corpse could sit in it, and that thus... he would never be "six feet under". Clever.
The graveyard beongs to St Andrew's Church, which has now been decomissioned, and is being turned into luxury flats.
The tomb is being saved I believe - so the new tenants there will always have the salutary warning of MacKenzie's caution in full view.
This post has been featured on Taphophile Tragics (the cemetery-enthusiasts' website)
Amazing story and a wonderful monument.
ReplyDeleteBeneath Thy Feet
a superstitious man right to the end... and beyond!
ReplyDeletei haven't ever seen a pyramid shaped mausoleum, but I think I rather like it.
ReplyDeleteHe was a devious man, was McKenzie. However, to think that one had out-manouvered the devil could lead to a downfall of another nature.
ReplyDeleteI like the look of the renovated church building in the background. We have a church made into apartments relatively close to where I live. Sans crypts, however, I do hope it is all integrated, and that prospective buyers are happy with their co-tenants.