Is it acceptable to scatter a loved one’s ashes in the countryside?

When a loved one dies, relatives often decide to scatter his ashes at an important landmark (a mountain, a clifftop, a riverbank).

But some hikers are concerned they are increasingly encountering piles of ash during their treks through the countryside.

Beth Todd, 46, said she was “horrified” when she came across piles of ash at the top of Dumyat hill near Stirling recently.

The John Muir Trust said it was asking people not to scatter ash on their land, including the Ben Nevis peaks in Fort William and the Schiehallion peaks in Perthshire, due to its detrimental impact on sensitive habitats.

Land and policy manager David Fleetwood said they were often asked by relatives if the ashes could be scattered on their land.

“There is the potential for Alpine flora and soils to be negatively affected by the addition of ash to a nutrient-poor environment,” he said.

“Also, the unexpected discovery of cremated ashes disrupts the enjoyment of others in a wilderness area and can be very distressing.”

Ms Todd said that shortly after sitting on the ground at the summit of Dumyat and grabbing her lunch, she realized she was surrounded by human ashes.

“It was everywhere around me and I was worried it might have gotten into my sandwiches,” he said.

“It was disgusting on the soles of our shoes and on my friend’s knee, and it upset us all the way home,” the mother of two added.

One climber, who wished to remain anonymous, told BBC Scotland News: “I see piles of ashes all the time.

“They scatter it on the tops of the cliffs where you come to the top as you climb,” he added.

Dan Maltby, chief operating officer of Future Forest Company, which owns Dumyat, said he understands why people choose to spread ash on their land.

“We understand that places like Dumyat hold deep personal meaning for people and why people choose the hills of Scotland to commemorate their loved ones,” he said.

“As conservationists we want this to be done with care for the environment and others who share it.

“We would love to hear from people about how we can create thoughtful, vibrant ways to remember those who passed through the landscapes we manage.”

More walkers and climbers now want their ashes spread atop their favorite mountains, Mountaineering Scotland has said.

A spokesperson told BBC Scotland News: “We would encourage people who want to be remembered in this way to think about the location they choose and to stay away from the tops of very popular mountain peaks and consider alternative locations such as a pass or a specific spot on a ridge or lower slopes.”

He said burying the ashes instead of scattering them around also reduces the ecological impact on the environment.

Human ashes are heavy and rock-like due to their bone content; It usually falls into a single spot rather than being blown away by the wind.

A Forestry and Land Scotland spokesman said it was important to ensure ashes did not end up in piles on the ground.

“We recognize that our forests and lands mean so much to many people and that family and friends may wish to scatter the ashes in a special place they can visit at any time,” they said.

“However, as some of the habitats we manage are particularly sensitive and contain rare plants and wildlife, we respectfully ask that anyone wishing to disperse ash seek advice from the relevant regional office before doing so.

“If ashes are allowed to be scattered, we once again respectfully request that they not be left in piles.

“This will ensure no one comes into contact with the ashes and minimizes any impact on the soil.”

There is no UK-wide law against scattering ashes, but on public or private land the landowner’s permission is required and environmental rules must be followed.

• Landowner’s permission: You need permission from the landowner to spread ash on private land, including farmland and beaches. If it’s public land, such as a park, ask for permission from the local council.

• your own land: You can scatter his ashes on your own land.

• environmental guidelines: Avoid scattering ash within one kilometer (0.6 miles) of a drinking water source and be careful of sensitive areas such as marinas, fishing spots or nature reserves.

• respect for others: Sepa recommends choosing a quiet time of day to consider other users when scattering ash in a public place such as a beach or park, while Forestry and Land Scotland are asking people not to leave piles of ash.

• local authorities: Check with your local authority for special regulations or guidelines for certain areas, such as national parks or coastal areas.