Angus Horse Cremations

Angus horse cremations from Heavenly Pastures give owners across this county of glens, rich farmland and red sandstone coast a patient and dependable service when a horse, pony or donkey dies. The team collects from farms, yards and paddocks around Forfar, Kirriemuir, Brechin, Montrose, Arbroath, Carnoustie, Monifieth, Edzell, Letham, Glamis and the glens of Clova, Prosen, Isla and Esk, always agreeing an arrival time given the long distances involved.

Angus Horse Cremations From the Glens to the Coast

Angus stretches from the high Grampian mountains to the North Sea. In the north, the five Angus glens, Glen Isla, Glen Prosen, Glen Clova, Glen Lethnot and Glen Esk, cut deep into the hills, with heather moors, corries and hill farms where Highland ponies have long carried deer and grouse off the hill. In the middle of the county, Strathmore is a broad, fertile valley of berry fields and potato farms, with Glamis Castle, childhood home of the Queen Mother, standing in its parkland. On the coast, Arbroath, famous for its smokies and the Declaration of Arbroath signed at its abbey in 1320, looks out over red sandstone cliffs, and Montrose sits beside a great tidal basin full of birds. Kirriemuir was the birthplace of J M Barrie, creator of Peter Pan. Horses are kept on farms, estates and smallholdings throughout.

Single track glen roads, farm tracks and coastal routes all shape how a visit is planned. Before Angus horse cremations are arranged, the team asks how the farm or field is reached and where the horse is lying.

Highland Ponies in the Glens

Hill estates in the Angus glens still keep Highland ponies for stalking, and riders enjoy tracks up the glens and along the coast at Lunan Bay.

Far From Help

On a remote glen farm, a horse may be found dead in a distant park. The vet should be called first to confirm the death. Heavenly Pastures then arranges a cremation service following natural death, asking about cattle grids, bridges and how far up the glen the farm lies, and the team keeps the family informed while travelling.

The passport must be returned to the issuing organisation within thirty days.

An Oak Casket

With an individual cremation with ashes returned, the horse is cremated alone, and the ashes come home in an oak casket with an engraved brass plate. Families have scattered ashes at the head of Glen Clova, on Lunan sands or kept the casket at home.

A Communal Farewell

A cremation without ashes returned is carried out with equal care, and the ashes are scattered quietly by the team.

Glens, Rivers and Burial

The South Esk and North Esk drain the glens, carrying water from high rainfall and snowmelt, and Strathmore’s farmland lies over sandstone with many burns. Burial needs permission and land well clear of water, so cremation is the practical choice.

A Kind Ending

For a horse in its last years, the vet can arrange euthanasia on a calm day, in a sheltered park near the steading, with family gathered round.

Glamis Castle

Glamis Castle’s turrets rise above the parkland of Strathmore, linked in legend with Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

Glen Clova and Glen Doll

Glen Clova runs deep into the mountains, with Glen Doll’s corries and the Jock’s Road path leading over to Braemar.

Arbroath and the Abbey

Arbroath’s red sandstone abbey and harbour, where smokies are prepared over smouldering wood, sit on the coast.

Montrose and the Basin

Montrose Basin’s tidal lagoon is home to thousands of pink footed geese each autumn, with the town on its seaward side.

Brechin and Edzell

Brechin’s cathedral and round tower and Edzell’s castle and walled garden lie at the foot of the glens.

Kirriemuir and Forfar

Kirriemuir’s red sandstone streets and Forfar’s loch and market town are the heart of Angus farming country.

North East Winters

Winter comes early to the Angus glens, where snow can lie on the high ground from November to April and drifts sometimes close the single track roads. Down on the coast, the wind off the North Sea is raw and the fields of Strathmore turn heavy. Highland ponies are well suited to the weather, but older horses need a dry stable or shelter, good rugs and plenty of hay, and a vet visit in the autumn helps owners plan ahead.

Collection From Glen or Strath

Glen farms may be miles up single track roads, while Strathmore farms have long tracks across the fields, so the team checks access and turning room first. A closed vehicle carrying nothing else is used. A heavy duty winch moves the body gently. Transfer paperwork records owner and horse and is kept for six years.

Companions and Remembrance

On hill estates and glen farms, ponies often live in small herds, and the loss of one can leave the others calling across the hillside for days. A short, quiet visit to the body before collection usually helps them settle. Families from Forfar, Kirriemuir, Arbroath, Montrose and the glens are welcome to share photographs and stories on the Remembrance pages.

Angus and the Neighbouring Areas

Angus horse cremations form part of a service across Scotland. To the south west, Perth and Kinross horse cremations covers Perthshire, while Aberdeenshire horse cremations serves the north. Fife horse cremations covers the Kingdom across the Tay, Aberdeen horse cremations serves the city, and Highland horse cremations covers the mountains beyond.

Arranging Angus Horse Cremations

Losing a horse is never easy, but the arrangements can be made calm and simple. The team at Heavenly Pastures will explain each step and go at a pace that suits the family. For Angus horse cremations, call 01704 776976.