Comhairle cracks down on camping in and next to island cemeteries

Complaints over people camping in - and next to - cemeteries in the Western Isles has now led to the islands' local authority clamping down with a ban.

 

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar had received reports of camping in and next to some of the 12 graveyards it owns, including on Lewis and North Uist.

 

The issue was brought in front of the council's transportation and infrastructure committee last week, when members said cemetery car parks should be for legitimate users.

 

Among the incidents reported was one in June, when a tent was discovered pitched outside a cemetery on the west side of Lewis with its guy ropes tied to the perimeter fence.

 

The committee heard that this particular incident had caused what was described as 'considerable distress' in the local community.

 

Two months later, in August, and the Comhairle’s Burial Grounds team was notified that a tent had been pitched overnight within the grounds of a cemetery in North Uist. However, by the time officers visited the cemetery, the occupant had moved on.

 

The committee endorsed an official report that stated that a cemetery should be regarded as a place of peace for those who have passed on and those who mourn them.

 

'Visitors to a cemetery should be given due consideration, privacy and respect at all times, particularly to any funeral or memorial ceremonies or services taking place,' the report added.

 

Committee members agreed to a proposal that the Comhairle’s burial grounds management policy be revised to include rules that car parks provided at burial grounds are for legitimate cemetery users such as use by funeral parties; council staff and stonemasons; families and the bereaved to visit plots; and for visitors researching their genealogy and local history.

 

The rules will also now include the stipulation that the use of cemeteries for overnight parking, camping and motor homing is not permitted as well as camping within the grounds of a cemetery being banned.