Nominee Summary
Bright Spark Burning Techniques are leading experts in wildfire prevention through the sustainable land management practice of muirburn. As pioneers in the field specialising in the use of controlled burning, they provide comprehensive training in the safe and effective use of muirburn as a land management tool. The team is led by Iain Hepburn and Calum Kippen, both highly experienced gamekeepers with extensive expertise of carrying out muirburn. Iain also serves as a Crew Commander with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), bringing over 29 years of experience in wildfire response and fire safety operations.
Bright Spark offer Lantra Approved advice, consultancy and on site training to ensure land owners and managers can protect their environment and responsibly manage their fuel loads. It is not just land owners and managers who complete their training with Bright Spark, SFRS firefighters have also been trained on how to use fire to fight wildfires, as well as other techniques, in Scotland. The recognition from SFRS that the traditional approach from land managers and gamekeepers of carrying out muirburn as a tool for fighting wildfires is thanks to the hard work of Iain and Calum at Bright Spark Burning Techniques.
What was the motivation behind the work that was undertaken?
Together Iain and Calum have created Bright Spark Burning Techniques to future proof muirburn as a valuable land management tool. With changes to legislation by Scottish Government, training to carry out muirburn will now be a requirement following the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Act (2024). Bright Spark have worked with stakeholders to create a training course and are the only Lantra Approved trainers for the Muirburn Foundation Practitioner Training.
Iain Hepburn represented the Scottish Gamekeepers Association in the development of the Muirburn Practitioner Foundation course and is a member of Scottish Wildfire Forum. Calum is a member of Scottish Wildfire Forum and has represented the Scottish Regional Moorland Groups working with SFRS and NatureScot to design the new Muirburn Practical Foundation Training Course.
At the end of 2022 Iain and Calum founded Bright Spark Burning Techniques Limited to provide muirburn practical training courses, expert witness testimony and consultancy services. Iain and Calum have created a well-respected network of fully trained individuals through Bright Spark Burning Techniques, while protecting the valuable tool and skill of muirburn.
Including the community
Bright Spark Burning Techniques actively engages with local communities and stakeholders to raise awareness about the benefits of sustainable burning practices. They conduct educational programs, workshops, and public demonstrations to foster understanding and appreciation of their approach. Bright Sparks Burning Techniques is committed to sharing knowledge and empowering communities to become active partners in sustainable land management and managing fuel loads across Scotland.
In June 2025, Scotland has seen two catastrophic wildfires take place in the Highlands and Moray at Dava and Lochandorb. Both fires have caused devastating impacts for biodiversity and conservation, burning for days on end and stretching for over 9 miles. Iain and Calum, through their Bright Spark network, relayed and shared crucial information regarding assistance and requirements at these wildfires. The generosity of gamekeepers and land managers providing both time and resources at the wildfires helped with the overall effort of controlling and slowing the spread of the wildfires enormously. There were over 100 gamekeepers and land managers in attendance from across Scotland, including Colin Maclean of CNPA, who were trained by Bright Spark. Bright Spark Burning Techniques played a pivotal role in supporting the gamekeeping community, local residents, and wider partners during a crucial time of need.
Environmental, social and economic benefits
Bright Spark Burning Techniques has redefined burning practices by prioritising sustainability and environmental stewardship. Their innovative techniques involve careful planning, controlled burns, and utilisation of cutting-edge technology to reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires and minimise the ecological impact. By promoting responsible land management, they enhance biodiversity, rejuvenate habitats, and improve overall ecosystem health. Bright Spark Burning Techniques demonstrates that sustainability and effective land management can go hand in hand, ensuring a resilient and thriving rural environment.
Now more than ever it should be a priority for land managers to create a wildfire resilient landscape across Scotland. Bright Spark Burning Techniques will be a fundamental part of this through their training and consultancy services.
