Memorials - General Information - FAQs

Question 1: Why is it now considered necessary to remove commemorative plaques from Ben Nevis, when a number of them have remained undisturbed on the mountain for many years?

Answer: In the ‘Nevis Strategy’, which was drawn up in 2001 after wide consultation, it was proposed as part of the mountain management programme to remove non-essential cairns, memorials (except the Peace Cairn) and other artefacts from the high plateau and summit area of Ben Nevis.

Question 2: Why is the Peace Cairn with its attendant plaque being allowed to remain in place while all of the other plaques are to be removed?

Answer: Each of the plaques being removed has significance for only a limited number of people, who in the vast majority of cases cannot be identified. In contrast the Peace Cairn and its attendant plaque are of both national and international significance and share commonality with similar peace cairns that exist on the highest mountains of a number of other countries throughout the world.

Question 3: What do you say to parties that take exception to the removal of their plaques from Ben Nevis?

Answer: It is realised that the removal of commemorative plaques from Ben Nevis might cause distress to some people and for this reason the Nevis Partnership has tried to approach this issue in as sensitive a way as possible. The information recorded on the plaques left on the summit has been preserved in the Book of Remembrance created on this website - unless the owners have expressly requested otherwise. In addition the Nevis Partnership has arranged for the construction of a ‘Site for Contemplation’ near to the visitor centre in Glen Nevis where the bereaved can sit in peace and remember those departed.

Question 4: Some of the existing plaques are made of polished stone or metal and have inscriptions engraved on them. Others are just large pebbles on which inscriptions have been written in felt pen. Will all plaques be treated in the same way?

Answer: Yes all existing plaques - with the exception of the one on the Peace Cairn - will be treated in the same way. An attempt will be made to trace the originators of all plaques for a period of five years and only at the end of that period will unclaimed ones be disposed of.

Question 5: What attempts have been made to trace the people who have left plaques on the mountain?

Answer: A nationwide appeal was conducted via the media in August 2006 requesting any persons who have placed a plaque on the summit of Ben Nevis, should they so wish, to get in touch with the Nevis Partnership. Anyone visiting this website who has placed a plaque on Ben Nevis in the past is also invited to contact the Nevis Partnership.

Question 6: How may I add an entry to the Book of Remembrance on this website?

Answer: If you follow this link you will find full instructions on how to arrange for a new entry to be added to the Book of Remembrance.

Question 7: How much will it cost to have an entry made in the Book of Remembrance?

Answer: Since the idea of mountain memorials remains a sensitive issue it was felt that there should not be a charge for entries in the Book of Remembrance. However, voluntary donations are very much welcomed to are help defray the ongoing costs involved in maintaining this part of the website.

Question 8: Is the landowner aware of your policy on plaques?

Answer: Except where official permission has been sought and granted, commemorative plaques and other memorials on mountain summits are there only by the grace and favour of the landowner. Permission has neither been sought from nor granted by the present landowner for the plaques currently placed on the mountain.

The removal of the existing plaques, and any others that might be placed on Ben Nevis in the future, is being implemented with the full agreement of the present landowner.

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