Young Scottish gamekeepers raise alarm over Muirburn restrictions

Scotland’s young gamekeepers are calling for urgent talks with the government over “unworkable” muirburn restrictions, which they say increase wildfire risk and could cost lives.

Firefighting efforts highlight importance of experience

Nearly 100 gamekeepers risked their safety helping fire crews tackle the Cairngorms’ largest-ever wildfire. However, their future cooperation is uncertain due to new licensing rules taking effect on 1 January 2026.

The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) Youth Committee says government requirements to probe and measure peat depth before obtaining burning licences are financially crippling and impractical. One estate faces probing 12,000 individual points at vast cost, with no licence guarantee.

Gamekeepers warn of biodiversity and safety risks

Craig Hepburn, a young gamekeeper on the SGA Youth Committee, said: “The licensing scheme and proposed new code are completely unworkable. Even where licences are granted, the code will make it almost impossible to carry out prescribed burning, negatively impacting biodiversity and wildfire mitigation.”

The gamekeepers argue that centuries-old muirburn practices create vital firebreaks and reduce combustible fuel loads. With exceptional wildfire activity already seen in 2025, they warn that the restrictions could be “dangerous and potentially deadly.”

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