The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Angus farming couple open pet crematorium
First for area after former piggery converted into facility
Old Angus farm buildings have been brought back to productive use as Courier Country’s first pet crematorium.
In an unusual diversification project, Euan and Christine Sturrock have opened Redford Pet Crematorium on family land farmed near Arbroath for around a century.
Sheds once connected to a one-time piggery at Burnhead Farm near the village of Carmyllie have been converted during the two-year project.
The couple say growing numbers of pet owners are looking for an appropriate setting in which to say a final farewell to their animal companions and hope their set-up close to Arbroath will spare folk the current journey to the nearest similar facilities in Aberdeen and Falkirk.
“As dog owners we know the grief of losing a beloved pet and we wanted to give people a quiet, private space in a tranquil setting to remember time together and say their final goodbye,” Mr Sturrock told The Courier.
We know how much pets become part of the family. EUAN STURROCK
Old Angus farm buildings have been converted into a special setting for animal lovers to say farewell to furry or feathered family members with the development of Courier Country’s first pet crematorium.
Some two years after lodging plans for the unusual diversification of sheds associated with a one-time piggery, local couple Euan and Christine Sturrock have realised their dream in the opening of Redford pet crematorium close to the village of Carmyllie.
Mr Sturrock’s family has worked the land at Burnhead Farm, west of Arbroath, for around a century, but the couple were keen to bring the redundant buildings back into productive use.
Their personal experience as dog lovers influenced the plan to develop a business which Mr Sturrock said is becoming increasingly popular among people who want to say a proper farewell following the loss of a loyal animal companion.
Euan said: “We have lived here for over 20 years and the farm has been in my family for approaching 100 years.
“We decided a long time ago we wanted to operate a pet crematorium in the tranquil countryside surroundings we love so much.
“This would mean we could find good use for the farm buildings and also involve our whole family in creating and running the business.”
The crematorium is due to open to the public today.
Euan added: “Our aim was to create a one-to-one service where people could say goodbye to their pet in a proper way, and in a quiet setting. At the moment people have to travel to Aberdeen or Falkirk and we hope to create an atmosphere reflecting the importance of their pet. We know how much pets become part of a family.
“We love our Newfoundland dogs and knowing our own grief on losing a pet we wanted to be able to help people have a quiet, private space to spend time alone with their beloved pet and give them the opportunity to reflect on times spent together before saying a final goodbye.
“It has been quite a long process but people we have spoken to have been interested to hear about our plans, and we have learned a lot to get to the point of now opening. We are members of the Association Of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria, and we will be working to their standards.”