Western Isles Council hopes to ban camping in its cemeteries following multiple reports of people doing so.
In June and August this year, communities in Lewis and North Uist were furious when tents were pitched in cemeteries on the islands.
Now the council’s transportation and infrastructure committee hope to explicitly ban overnight parking, camping and motor homing to avoid future upset.
They aim to do this by offering an amendment to the current ground management rules for council owned cemeteries which outline what can and can’t be done there.
Ban on camping in cemeteries
A report following a recent committee meeting explained the proper use of the council’s burial grounds.
It said: “It is expected that anyone visiting a council owned cemetery should give due consideration, privacy and respect to any funeral or memorial ceremonies or services taking place at the time.
“A cemetery should be regarded as a place of peace for those who have passed on and those who mourn them.”
The proposed amendment to current rules makes it more clear that camping is not welcome.
It reads: “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 use for overnight parking, camping and motor homing is not permitted. Camping within the grounds of a cemetery is also not permitted.”
The amendment has been recommended to Western Isles Council for approval.
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