Malcolm Forbes

Lord Forbes - Cothiemuir Landowner
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Sensitive and supportive

My parents chose Cothiemuir Hill because the area had meaning for them and the natural setting and quiet calm appealed to them. Malcolm was sensitive and supportive, and stood by quietly in the car park when we let him know that this was our preference.

– Dr Jenny Hughes Swanson, July 2022


Privacy and freedom

Simple process, friendly and personal service. Nice to be welcomed by Lord Forbes. Really appreciated the privacy and freedom to perform the ceremony alone on the day.

– Victoria Meyer, April 2022


Rural, peaceful, calm and a sense of history

My mother’s choice was a green burial and Bennachie is a favourite hill. We had a burial with a memorial service afterwards. The burial ground is rural, peaceful, calm, sense of history, both for us as a family and ancient. We very much appreciated the opportunity to visit the meadow in advance of the funeral. Everyone was both kind and practical which we appreciated. Thank you.

20 December 2019


A peaceful resting home

As burials go, we could not have wished for better. My parents loved the setting and it all went wonderfully. We heard about it from my parent’s friends, and I would definitely recommend it to others looking at burial ground options.

​23 August 2019


Take your time – do it when you’re ready

We interred the ashes 2 years after my husband died. Take your time and only do it when you are ready. There is no right or wrong time. We had a humanist cremation service and wanted Ken’s ashes to be somewhere local but not a traditional cemetery.

We had a family gathering and it was a perfect day in the perfect spot.

5 July 2018


In the countryside, among the trees.

As a far flung family (Australia, Spain, Scotland), we needed time and many discussions about what to do, but now feel we found the best way for us.

We wanted a place near where he had lived all his working life, in the countryside and among trees. The view of Bennachie Hill was an added bonus.

4 September 2017


A wild setting

I visited the natural burial ground in Aberdeenshire and liked the location and ‘wild’ setting of Cothiemuir. My husband had expressed a preference for a natural burial and Cothiemuir is a very fitting setting for him.

10 March 2016


Peaceful and a wonderful view

We love the natural world and don’t attend church. We discovered the burial ground when visiting the stone circle and loved it. It was the most beautiful funeral EVER. Welcomed by Lord Forbes.

31 August 2015


A place of joy as well as sadness

It is a place of joy as well as sadness. Peaceful, beautiful and somewhere we can comfortably visit as a family, including children and dog. Lord Forbes so obviously cares in a sensitive and respectful way. He made it easy for us. Backfilling was done in good time and the return of turfs was beyond expectation. A dreadful day was made that much more bearable. Thank you to Lord Forbes.

20 November 2014


Idyllic, tranquil, very peaceful

We chose the burial ground because of the location and the service offered. It was actually better than expected – just perfect setting. Overall an excellent service carried out by everyone. I’m sure my father will rest very peacefully there as he spent many happy times in and around that area.

10 April 2014


The perfect location

The burial ground has a good approach to managing the trees and grassland. We were attracted to the burial ground because of distaste for “industrial” approach to cremation, energy consumption and pollution. We required a burial ground reasonably close to our home.

09 June 2012