This is what the National Trust for Scotland have to say:

The Trust has no formal policy which would cover all situations across the wide range of properties that we have responsibility for in Scotland.  The Trust is respectful of peoples’ wishes but must have regard for a wide range of issues including the environmental impact on soils, plants, rivers and streams.

Broad guidelines are available to Trust Managers and any proposal or arrangement for the scattering of ashes or any associated ceremonies should be discussed and agreed with individual property managers beforehand.  Contact details are available on the Trust’s website.  If proposals are deemed acceptable, the advice given may include specific locations and appropriate times of day with regard for other planned events and consideration for other visitors.

For the avoidance of doubt there would be a presumption against the erection of any sort of memorial, however temporary.

This information was correct at the time of publication, organisations can change their position so for the most accurate information please contact the origination in question directly.

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We finally have an answer from Historic Scotland and it is good news!

” [Historic Scotland] can confirm that scattering of ashes is permitted at most Historic Scotland sites, however requests to scatter ashes at prehistoric burial sites are unlikely to be granted, and no permanent marker will be allowed at any site. We do try to ensure the scattering of ashes is carried out at a time when the monument is quiet, to avoid distress to the mourners or visitors. Anyone interested in scattering ashes at Historic Scotland sites should contact the factoring team at Historic Scotland on 0131 668 8786 who will be able to help with the request.”

Historic Scoland is the organsition the owns and maintains over 300 over Scotland’s most importnat heritage sites including: Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Urquhart Castlem, Glasgow Cathedral, Skara Brae, Iona Abbey, Fort George, Linlithgow Palace, St Andrews Castle and Melrose Abbey.

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To make an enquiry please fill in the form below with your preferred date and number of people attending the scattering, please make sure you include a contact number as the boat company will call you directly to discuss your requirements:
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West Scotland nr Oban

To make an enquiry please fill in the form below with your preferred date and number of people attending the scattering, please make sure you include a contact number as the boat company will call you directly to discuss your requirements:
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Well sort of, I came across someone last week asking for tips for a location to scatter their mothers ashes

“Good place on Lewis to scatter ashes

My mother sadly passed away in October and the family is hoping to have a get-together next July to commemorate her life and scatter her ashes in Lewis, which is where she was born, though she left when she was 14 and only went back once since then, I think.

She was born in Sandwick, just outside Stornoway, and my sister thought we could do it on seafront there, but I am worried that it will be too public and also not the most appealing place, with possible access difficulties too.

So, I was wondering if anyone knew of a peaceful and secluded place where it might be appropriate to lay her to final rest? Some of the party may have limited mobility, so the place would have to have vehicle access reasonably nearby.”

To date it has had one reply:

“What about the Braighe. The Aignish cemetery side has a path from the car park. That side is usually quiet and a lovely setting. Near to Sandwick too.”

So there you go I looked Braighe up and I have added a picture (the main post image) for those interested. The respondent does seem to have got a good idea.

However that is not the principal reason for the post it often these small snippets that offer the most insight. Firstly the family felt it correct to scatter their mother ashes in a place clearly none of them knew, or that their mother had rarely if ever returned after her departure. Furthermore even though I imagine they have given this considerable thought, it would obviously not be a place they would need to revisit on a frequent basis. For those not up on British geography Lewis is a most splendidly beautiful island off the north west cost of Scotland in the Hebrides, insomniacs may recognise Stornoway from the lilting tones of Radio 4’s shipping forecast. Put it like this you can’t get there on a cheap away-day return from Bastingstoke.

The second point of interest is that one of the family asked the world (well specially travellers), as to a suitable spot. I am not saying this is a bad idea or the wrong thing to do be there is a lot of trust and responsibility in such a request (I am sure this is perhaps the initial point of research).

Lastly it set me thinking, well who would you ask if you had no contacts or knowledge in a place. ‘Hi, is that tourist information?’ I suppose you could ask for a picturesque secluded beach with mobility access. Perhaps a member of the clergy may help. Certainly there would be celebrants in the area although you may feel obliged to use their services. I will give this more thought.

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To make an enquiry please fill in the form below with your preferred date and number of people attending the scattering, please make sure you include a contact number as the boat company will call you directly to discuss your requirements:
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There is a plan to put a road through a section of crematoria land in Perth Scotland and the local residents aren’t happy.

Perth council plan to ease congestion in that part of the city involves shaving a strip of land off of the crematoria grounds, which is not the actual garden of remembrance although it has been used for the scattering of ashes.

Members of the Luncarty, Redgorton and Moneydie Community Council have threatened legal action if this goes ahead saying “Approving this planning application and disturbing the human remains of the loved ones of their constituents would result in councillors being held culpable of abusing the human rights of their constituents.”

And there has been a petition signed by 2400 residents asking the council to rethink.

So is it, I wonder, an infringement of someone’s human rights? Human right is one of those terms banded about like health and safety often abused and never that well understood. The article did not say which part of the Act it would be contravening, but I suppose it could be? Certainly they are unhappy and the elected council would do well to listen. Crematoria grounds should be sacred, people who scatter there would probably have thought so when they scattered.

But is anywhere really sacrosanct? Churchyards are prone to be dug up to ‘make way for progress’ certainly cemeteries dating over a 100years old seem to be (or am I just making this up on a few remembered news articles) anyway, it does make you think about what is likely to be there ‘forever’,  I think it is fair to say in an urban landscape things change, space is precious and council may take the approach that the need of the future outweigh the objections…

Original story: http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/perth-kinross/community-council-warns-of-legal-challenge-to-perth-crematorium-road-plan-1.838736

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Answer: when it happened while scattering ashes

Lynda Crowther a resident of Runcorn, Cheshire, was on a family trip to North Ayreshire in Scotland to scatter the ashes her mother.

On the walk she broke her ankle in a pothole and due to the remote location needed an air ambulance to remove her from the mountainside.

While she was awaiting the helicopter she used her mums ashes to support her ankle and after her being picked up the rest of family continued on their journey to honour Ina Craddock’s last wish to have her ashes scattered on the same spot as spot as her late son, William.

When they return from the mountain they found Lynda in a hospital with her ankle in plaster.

The interesting aspect is that there is nothing remarkable about this story at all. The two essential elements: a loving family honour a parent’s wish and the air-lifting are fairly ordinary, so why did this end up in The Mirror? Without the benefit of a journalist’s nose it would seem that the ashes are the critical factor, I suppose it ticks the boxes to make it worthy: family, human interest, excitement crated by mild peril,  all well that ends well and then the taboo subject… death with all its black humour and when we all able to make light of this subject it becomes newsworthy – fascinating if you think about it.

I will end with a quote from a niece who was on the trip which “Gran always loved a bit of ceremony and would have been laughing at the RAF seeing her off.

“Gran would have found our antics hilarious.”

Without trying to sound too pompous I think posthumous envisaging of anothers reaction, which almost always exclusively relates to humour, reveals much about our comprehension of death and its place with British society.

Oh and yes, you will be happy to know Ms Crowther is on the mend.

Original story: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/woman-rescued-raf-helicopter-after-6305043

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Looking for woodland burial site for ashes? We have teamed up with a recommend natural burial company that offers this service.

​The tranquillity of the burial ground at Hundy Mundy is typical of the surrounding landscape of the Mellerstain Estate. Unhurried, tranquil and private, it offers something gentler.  A place of escape, away from it all.

With their support and inspiration you’ll have the time and space to do things your way. Afterwards, families can return to the quietness of the surroundings, the wildlife and their memories.

Hundy Mundy Wood is a mature Scot’s pine and beech wood in an elevated position on the Mellerstain Estate. Hundy Mundy is in fact the name of the gothic folly which stands prominently within a gap in the trees.

The wood is part of a historic, designed landscape of one of Scotland’s great Georgian houses, which was begun in 1725 by architect William Adam and completed seventy years later by his famous son, Robert. The woodland burial ground is located near Kelso and about 35 miles south of Edinburgh, in the heart of the Scottish Borders.

Interment of Ashes: Are you looking for a natural ashes burial site to bury or scatter ashes that is looked after on a permanent basis and that will give you surety that:

• the ashes won’t be disturbed
• you can visit at a time convenient to you
• they are in a natural setting
• that the site will be well maintained
• where the burial is recorded for future generations

Costs:

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Interment of Ashes

Woodland burial site for ashes

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Looking for a natural burial / interment site for ashes?  We have teamed up with a recommended natural (green) burial company that offers this service.

Delliefure’s beauty is typical of the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. Unhurried, tranquil and private, it offers something gentler.  
The site overlooks the March Pool on a bend in the River Spey, famous for its salmon and sea-trout fishing.

The wildlife here is world class; Osprey fly and screech overhead, while Golden Eagle hunt the wild uplands; otters swim the river, while red deer and roe deer blend into the woodland; pine martin and red squirrel inhabit the ancient pines. This place really is very special.

The open glade at Delliefure sweeps a gentle curve, bordered by a bank of birch woodland. At the eastern end, the vista opens out to reveal magnificent river views and a sense of space.

The open meadow areas at Delliefure will remain as an open grassland environment. In these areas no more stones will be permitted. However, they plan to provide a group memorial panel to commemorate the names and dates of those buried there.

Interment of Ashes: Are you looking for a natural ashes burial site to bury or scatter ashes that is looked after on a permanent basis and that will give you surety that:

• the ashes won’t be disturbed
• you can visit at a time convenient to you
• they are in a natural setting
• that the site will be well maintained
• where the burial is recorded for future generations

Costs:

For more pictures scroll down and for more information please fill out the form below and someone will get back to you shortly:
Interment of Ashes
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Looking for a green burial site for ashes? We have teamed up with a recommended natural (green) burial company that offers this service.

​Cothiemuir Hill in Aberdeenshire is a haven of peace and natural beauty. It lies at the heart of the historic Forbes Estate, it has been a steeped in history for thousands of years.

Cothiemuir Hill is located in the outstanding landscape of Strathdon, the small ancient wooded hill sits within the historic landscape. The hill rises from verdant arable land, through a belt of deciduous ancient woodland and mature Scots Pine, to a Neolithic stone circle crowning the wooded crest of the hill. The four and a half thousand year-old Neolithic stone-circle, thought to mark an ancient burial ground, is dominated by two huge flankers and what is reputed to be the largest recumbent stone in Europe.

Choosing a resting place that goes back millennia is a perfect choice for many people. The site not only offers tranquility and serenity but a sense of place too.

Interment of Ashes: Are you looking for a natural ashes burial site to bury or scatter ashes that is looked after on a permanent basis and that will give you surety that:

• the ashes won’t be disturbed
• you can visit at a time convenient to you
• they are in a natural setting
• that the site will be well maintained
• where the burial is recorded for future generations

Costs:

For more pictures scroll down and for more information please fill out the form below and someone will get back to you shortly:

Interment of Ashes

Green burial site for ashes

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Scattering ashes over Loch Lomond

To make an enquiry please fill in the form below with your preferred date and number of people attending the scattering, please make sure you include a contact number as the boat company will call you directly to discuss your requirements:
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Scattering ashes over Loch Lomond

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The HM Naval Base Clyde – commonly known throughout the Navy as Faslane – is the Royal Navy’s main presence in Scotland. They offer a ashes committal service for ashes.

There is no charge for the committal, it is done in grateful recognition for someone’s service to the nation.

Who is eligible? 

• All former members of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy and RAF) and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
• The service is available  for spouses of anyone who would have been eligible.
• Merchant Navy are considered on a case by case and certainly any war service would count. They also consider Sea Cadet Leaders and those who have worked in the Dockyard or Maritime Defence.
• There’s no length of service required, but they do need a short Service History and Service Number for checking with the records. 

Ash containers / urn?

There are specific requirements for their preferred choice of casket which will are able to provide (Royal Navy Committal Urn £125), however the Chaplaincy understand if cost is an impediment they would accept these water urns. You are not required to purchase these through Scattering Ashes, your Funeral Director may be able to assist  although we are we are happy to supply them should you wish.

We will add specific information once it comes to us.

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To make an enquiry please fill in the form below with your preferred date and number of people attending the scattering, please make sure you include a contact number as the boat company will call you directly to discuss your requirements:

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  This is there policy summary: Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) will not permit burials of bodies or ashes on its wildlife reserves. However, SWT is happy to consider the scattering of ashes in a sensitive manner on reserves, and in exceptional circumstances will also consider memorials. You are supposed to contact the relevant Scottish Wildlife Trust…

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Scatter ashes at beauty spots hits the papers again For ten years I have writing about scattering ashes, where you can and where you can’t, what you should and shouldn’t do. In fact, in one of my early post I had angry walker in the Lake District blaming me [how very dare he!] for the…

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Location Dunoon Area of operation Clyde Estuary and Firth of Clyde Type of boat Motor boat Duration of trip Bespoke Capacity of boat 8 Refreshments Tea and coffee are free – other refreshments can be organised if required – there is a fridge aboard and soft drinks may be stocked. Suitable urns Scattering ashes directly […]

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Ashes Scattered from s Plane – Scotland Would you like your ashes spread from a beautiful vintage Starduster Bi-Plane? What a magnificent send off the aircraft is based on the iconic bi-planes of the 1930’s this beautiful 2 seater plane  capable of incredibly spectacular manoeuvres. A symbolic smoke trail from the aircraft enhances the display […]

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Loch Lomond Celebrants … Scattering of Ashes Ceremonies. We are Laura & John, of Loch Lomond Celebrants, and following several requests for Scattering of Ashes Ceremonies, the following information may be useful for anyone considering this meaningful ceremony for their loved one. There are two ways in which this ceremony can be held, either with […]

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