Highland Council statement about meeting with John Muir Trust

The Trust wishes to remove the memorials in order to maintain the wild and beautiful nature of the summit.

The spokesperson confirmed that an area of ground at the Council-owned and operated Glen Nevis Visitor Centre has been set aside for use as an area of contemplation by the public. The Council is very aware of the sensitivity of many of the memorials, and has been happy to assist the John Muir Trust by providing this quiet area with bespoke seating within the grounds of the Centre.

No decisions have yet been made as to how this area of contemplation might be best used for locating memorials, and any decisions will be made in conjunction with the Nevis Partnership.

Both the Highland Council and John Muir Trust are members of the Nevis Partnership which was formed in 2002 aiming to 'guide future policies and actions to safeguard, manage and where appropriate enhance the environmental qualities and opportunities for visitor enjoyment and appreciation of the Nevis area'.

John Hutchison, company secretary of the Nevis Partnership and a Trustee of the Ben Nevis Peace Cairn Trust said: "The Partnership recognises the huge sensitivity involved in the John Muir Trust’s desire to remove inappropriate memorials from the summit. Over the next few months the Nevis Partnership will be assessing the best way to deal with the re-location of existing memorials, and the placing of any new memorials. The Partnership is very pleased that the Council is able to assist with this complex matter."

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