Policy on mountain memorials

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 and other artefacts (with the exception of the Peace Cairn) from the high plateau and summit area of Ben Nevis.

It is recognised that the removal of commemorative plaques and similar memorials is a sensitive matter and has the potential to cause upset to some. However of more than fifty plaques that have so far been located on the summit plateau, in only a few cases has it been possible to positively identify the person in whose memory the plaque was erected. For most of the plaques there is no evidence to indicate why they had been placed on Ben Nevis or if the individual commemorated on the plaque had ever climbed the mountain or even had any connection with the area. Some are believed to commemorate a pet rather than a person.

Although a number of the existing plaques are well made and securely fixed in place, others are no more than a name painted on a piece of rock that has been left lying on the ground.

Whenever mountain memorials have been discussed in the media over recent years the overwhelming majority of participants have been against them. Most of those who ascend mountains or visit other areas of scenic beauty prefer to experience a wild natural environment free from unnecessary evidence of human intrusion.

In view of all of the above, Nevis Partnership has decided to remove the existing plaques and similar artefacts from the mountain during the autumn of 2006. Any further memorials placed there in the future will also be removed.

Details of how this policy will be implemented are given below:

i) Unless relatives or friends indicate otherwise, details of all the existing plaques on the mountain will be entered in the Book of Remembrance on this website.

ii) In the case of plaques for which a relative or friend of the person commemorated can be identified and traced, an offer will be made to return the plaque.

iii) In the case of plaques for which a relative or friend of the person commemorated cannot be traced, the plaque will be stored for a period of five years during which time the Nevis Partnership will continue to encourage claimants to come forward.

iv) At the end of five years all unclaimed plaques will be disposed of.

v) To compensate for the plaques being removed a collective memorial has been created at the foot of the mountain in Glen Nevis as well as the virtual Book of Remembrance on this website.

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