Scotland has a distinctive natural burial landscape. From the lowlands of East Lothian to the agricultural reaches of Aberdeenshire and the Ayrshire coast, Scottish natural burial grounds tend to share an emphasis on open space, native planting, and community stewardship. This guide introduces the sites we have listed across Scotland and what sets each region apart.
Our directory currently lists 5 natural burial grounds in Scotland, all confirmed as members of the Association of Natural Burial Grounds. Full verification of each site's pricing, plot options, and stewardship arrangements is ongoing — details marked as pending will be confirmed through direct contact with each site. [Source: Association of Natural Burial Grounds]
East Lothian: Binning Memorial Woodland
Binning Memorial Woodland is located at Tyninghame, near the East Lothian coast. The site is set within established woodland and managed for long-term habitat value. The East Lothian coastline provides a distinctive setting, with proximity to both woodland and the sea — a combination that families from Edinburgh and the Borders find accessible. Full plot and pricing details are pending direct verification.
Aberdeenshire: Clovery Woods of Rest
Clovery Woods of Rest in Turriff, Aberdeenshire, is one of the more northerly natural burial grounds in our directory. The site offers a woodland setting in the agricultural heartland of the northeast. Rural Aberdeenshire provides a quieter, more removed setting than the central belt, and the site serves families across the wider region. [Source: ANBG member list; direct verification pending]
Angus: Cairnbrae Natural Burial Ground
Cairnbrae Natural Burial Ground is located at Kellas, near Dundee in Angus. The site provides a natural burial option within reach of both Dundee and the wider Tay estuary area. Its setting is classified as natural burial, combining elements of open landscape and managed habitat. Full plot options and pricing will be published after direct contact with the site.
Ayrshire: Craufurdland Woods
Craufurdland Woods in Ayrshire offers a woodland burial setting in southwest Scotland. The site is within reach of Ayr, Kilmarnock, and the wider Ayrshire area, and provides a natural burial option for families in a part of Scotland that has fewer dedicated natural burial grounds than the central belt or northeast.
Fife: Wild Meadow Eco Cemetery
Wild Meadow Eco Cemetery at Kinghorn in Fife is, as its name suggests, a meadow-based site. Meadow burial grounds manage the land as wildflower grassland rather than woodland, and the setting tends to be more open and exposed to light. Kinghorn's coastal location in Fife adds a further dimension, with the site accessible from Edinburgh, Dunfermline, and the wider Fife peninsula.
What to know about natural burial in Scotland
Scottish burial law differs in some respects from England and Wales. Burial authorities in Scotland operate under the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016, and natural burial grounds must register with the relevant local authority. The practical differences for families are minimal: the same choices around containers, memorials, and ceremony apply, and ANBG membership indicates adherence to the same code of conduct as sites south of the border. [Source: Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016]
Choosing a Scottish site
As with any natural burial ground, we recommend visiting if you can. Scottish sites range from coastal Fife to inland Aberdeenshire, and the landscape varies considerably. If you are choosing from further afield, contact the site to ask about access, meeting facilities, and whether a funeral director is required or optional. Our directory pages for each Scottish site include the verified details we have confirmed so far, with a clear indication of what is still pending.
Frequently asked questions
Are there natural burial grounds in Scotland?
Yes. There are natural burial grounds across Scotland including sites in East Lothian, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Ayrshire and Fife. Each is listed in our directory with verified details on setting, plot options and ANBG membership.
Is natural burial regulated differently in Scotland?
Natural burial in Scotland operates under the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016, which is separate from the legislation governing England and Wales. Sites must still be registered with the relevant local authority.
Can I have a family-led burial in Scotland?
Yes. Family-led burial without a funeral director is legal in Scotland, though the site must be given advance notice and statutory forms must be completed. The Natural Death Centre provides guidance on the process.
Key takeaways
- Scotland has 5 ANBG-member natural burial grounds, from East Lothian to Ayrshire.
- Sites range from woodland settings (Binning, Clovery, Craufurdland) to meadow (Wild Meadow) and natural (Cairnbrae).
- Scottish burial law operates under the 2016 Act, but practical choices for families are broadly the same as in England and Wales.
- Full verification of each site's pricing and plot options is ongoing — check each listing for the current status.