Grieving Brits told to stop spreading ashes of loved ones over UK beauty spots

26 September 2023 , 05:37

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Mountaineering Scotland gave the warning (Image: Getty Images)

Mourners have been asked to stop spreading the ashes of their loved ones at Scottish beauty spots.

Mountaineering Scotland has warned ashes could ruin the soil at certain locations as it can alter the chemical composition. The body, has, however, encouraged people to consider disposing ashes on lower slopes to avoid causing changes to the soil.

The Scottish Daily Express reports there has been a rise in the number of cremations carried out in the UK, which has led to calls for the resulting ashes to be disposed of in a better manner. Mountaineering Scotland said Scotland’s outdoors should be free from human-made intrusion and remain as wild and natural as possible, reports Daily Record.

It said: “On a number of very popular mountain summits that are used repeatedly for the scattering of ashes one of the significant effects that has been observed is stimulation of plant growth that can be attributed to both phosphate enrichment and changes in pH [acidity/alkalinity].

“So, when considering your chosen spot for the disposal of your own ashes it might be worth avoiding the really iconic mountain tops, by opting instead for a corrie, a certain point along a ridge, or beside a particular tree on the lower slopes of a mountain. It is worth bearing in mind, however, that ashes do not have to be scattered. Their chemical effect on the ecology of the surrounding area is reduced if they are buried rather than scattered.”

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Ashes can contain a high level of salt and phosphates, which can combine and kill plant life. The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park said: “We also advise that only ashes are left behind — items such as urns, tributes or plastic flower wrappers should be removed completely as they have an environmental impact if left behind. Repeated scattering of ashes in concentrated locations could potentially cause issues in water bodies where people swim and fish.”

However, Jenny Paterson, of the Scottish swimming group Wild Wimmin Swimmin, added: “Just a few months ago one of my friends invited some members of the Wild Wimmin Swimmin community to join her as she scattered some of her late mum’s ashes in Loch Lomond.

“It was beautiful and poignant, tears were shed, and through this simple but powerful act the spot was forever sealed as special for her and her family. From a swimmer’s perspective there are arguably much worse potential pollutants in waterways for us to contend with than a handful of ashes, although I can understand why some people may not find the prospect too appealing.”

Ruth Suter