‘Heroic’ keepers contain devastating Cairngorms wildfires

Gamekeepers and land managers across Scotland have been praised for their heroic role in containing wildfires in the Cairngorms. Over the weekend of 28–30 June 2025, three separate fires threatened to overwhelm emergency crews. Thanks to a rapid response from rural workers, the blazes were brought under control.

Gamekeepers’ quick action saved the day

Sandy Bremner, Convener of Cairngorms National Park Authority, described the response as “nothing short of heroic”. He paid tribute to the “hundreds of gamekeepers, foresters, stalkers, farmers and land managers” who joined the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Their round-the-clock work proved vital. They stopped two large fires from merging, which firefighters said would have created “a blaze on a scale we have never seen before”.

Calls to rethink muirburn legislation

During the crisis, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) urged government officials to see the scale of the wildfire response for themselves. The SGA also raised concerns about planned laws to restrict controlled muirburn. This traditional land management practice helps reduce fuel loads and prevent severe fires.

“We are about to pass laws that will severely restrict controlled muirburn while huge fuel loads keep building up,” an SGA spokesman warned.

“This endangers lives because firefighters are stretched thin by wildfires and can’t respond to other emergencies.”

Climate change driving wildfire risk

The Cairngorms wildfires show the rising risk facing Scotland’s rural communities, estates and sporting businesses. As climate change makes moorlands and countryside more fire-prone, estate owners and land managers are urging a balanced approach. They say protecting biodiversity must go hand in hand with wildfire prevention through responsible practices like muirburn.

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