A Media Release from The Nevis Partnership
17th August 2006.

General Policy
In the three years since it was constituted the Nevis Partnership, in co-operation with the relevant landowners, has sought to manage the landscape of Ben Nevis and its environs in a way that is acceptable to and appreciated by both those who visit the area and those who reside locally. This has meant adopting a balanced approach that encourages access but at the same time protects the natural environment in order to satisfy the aspirations of adventure seekers and conservationists alike. 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.

Removal of Cairns
Over time the number of man built cairns on Ben Nevis increased to such an extent that they became not only visually intrusive but also a cause of confusion in conditions of poor visibility. Accordingly all but a few of the cairns that existed on the summit plateau have already been removed. Only the original “Peace Cairn” at the summit and a few that are considered to be vital navigational aids have been left in place.

Removal of Commemorative Plaques.
The number of commemorative plaques on the summit plateau has also increased over the years. Some of these plaques are works of art that have been firmly attached to the indigenous rock while others are no more than words painted on a piece of stone that has just been left lying on the ground. Of the fifty or so plaques that have been located on the summit plateau in only two cases is sufficient information available for there to be a reasonable chance of identifying those for whom the memorials were placed on the mountain. Indeed it might well be the case that many of the plaques commemorate pet animals and not human beings. For those plaques that do commemorate people there is, in most cases, no evidence as to what was the person's association with Ben Nevis or if they had ever climbed the mountain or even visited the area. Irrespective as to who placed the plaques on Ben Nevis or in whose memory these plaques were erected it is recognised that the removal of plaques from the summit plateau is a sensitive issue having the potential to cause grievance and perhaps even distress to some people. It is for this reason that the plaques will not be physically removed until a concerted and sustained effort has been made to contact those individuals or organisations who wish to lay claim to them. Except for the original plaque installed in the peace cairn, which has both national and international significance, it is the intention to eventually remove all other commemorative plaques and wherever possible offer to return them to their owners. All unclaimed plaques will be stored for up to five years and any that are still unclaimed after that period will then be disposed of.

Public Appeal
The Nevis Partnership is now launching a nationwide appeal so that claimants can make themselves known and state what they wish to become of their plaques once these have subsequently been removed from the mountain.

Creation of Site of Contemplation.
To compensate for the eventual removal of all of the individual plaques from the summit of Ben Nevis the Nevis Partnership has created a Collective Memorial in Glen Nevis near to the Visitor Centre and close by the River Nevis. This Collective Memorial will be unveiled officially at a short non-religious ceremony on Sunday 27th August 2006 at 11.00 a.m. Thereafter it will offer a site where those wishing to pay homage to departed relatives or friends can contemplate on their personal loss. Anyone who wishes to reflect on the scenic beauty that surrounds them will be able to sit there and do so in a peaceful and tranquil setting.

Virtual Book of Remembrance
The Nevis Partnership is also creating a Virtual Book of Remembrance on-line that will be maintained as part of its official website www.nevispartnership.co.uk For those laying claim to existing individual plaques this will offer an opportunity to create an unobtrusive and permanent memorial to their departed relatives or friends. This facility will also be available to others that wish to commemorate the loss of someone, not previously commemorated by means of a plaque, who had some association with Ben Nevis during their lifetime. It is anticipated that some pages of this Virtual Book of Remembrance will be available to be viewed off-line at the Collective Memorial unveiling ceremony on 27th August.

MCofS advice on Mountain Memorials
'virtual' Book of Remembrance
Pitch-in Discussion