The Trustees of the Burying Ground (Neil D. McPhadden, Neil A. McLean, and Hector A. McDonald) purchased 1.5 acres of land from Neil McDonald for a sum of 20 Pounds. The original deed of land was made on January 8th, 1853, and was subsequently registered at the County of Ontario on the 1st day of July, 1869.

Coulthard's Corner (Manilla), located east of the Scotch Cemetery was settled in the early 1800's by the English, Welsh, Irish, Dutch, and Scottish and, at the time, had a population of approximately 700 persons. The community supported a number of businesses including hotels, tannery, blacksmiths, harness shops, etc.

A board of trustees to oversee the burying ground was elected to oversee the maintenance of the burying ground. Five members, and later three, met on a regular basis either in each others' homes or at the Congregational Church or Baptist Church in Manilla. In addition, the board hosted a number of public meetings for the benefit of the plot holders. Minutes of the board of trustees reveal that they dealt with such matters as fencing the cemetery, fund raising for the cemetery upkeep, and establishment of prices for plots. Plots within the cemetery were sold for $5.00/square rod in 1892; by 1956 the cost of a plot was $89.60/square rod with a stipulation that the plot holders were responsible for the stones. Requests for tree planting and shrubs required the approval of the cemetery board.

The Scotch Cemetery board of trustees was dissolved in 1995 in favour of the Township of Brock. By that time, there were only two members on the board, the cemetery was in need of attention, and little funds were available to undertake grounds maintenance.