Gamekeepers praised for frontline wildfire efforts in Speyside and Moray as call made for more skilled volunteers

Press Release

Gamekeepers and land managers have been praised for their critical efforts in battling a major wildfire across Speyside and Moray - as a call is made for more skilled volunteers to help contain the ongoing blaze.

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has commended the bravery, skill and expertise of nearly 100 gamekeepers from Highland estates who have been engaged in the wildfire suppression.

Over the weekend, gamekeepers from estates in the region descended on the impacted area – bringing specialist equipment (All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), swipes, leaf blowers and fogging units) and skills in the use of fire for land management (muirburn).

It is understood that, as of 1100 on Monday morning, there are at least two large wildfires on the northern boundary of the Cairngorms National Park. Land managers and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service remain at the scene. The cause of the fires has not yet been confirmed by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).

With many areas of affected land unsuitable for access by SFRS vehicles, a call has been issued for further skilled volunteers with specialist equipment to attend, in particular those with ATVs/ fogging units, tractors with flails and tractors with water tanks that can cope with rough tracks.

Volunteers should report to the designated rendezvous point at The Square, Grantown-on-Spey, Morayshire, PH26 3HG, where they will be directed by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). Members of the public are urged not to self-deploy due to the extreme danger posed by the fire.

Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland at Scottish Land & Estates, said:

“The response from gamekeepers and land managers over the past few days has been exceptional. Their willingness to mobilise quickly, often at very short notice, and put themselves in harm’s way speaks volumes about their commitment to the land and the communities around them.

“These are highly skilled individuals who are trained in using fire safely as part of muirburn and habitat management. That knowledge, combined with access to specialist equipment like ATVs, fogging units and swipes, is absolutely crucial when it comes to containing wildfires in remote terrain. They are very much on the frontline of fighting these fires.

“We are incredibly grateful for the efforts made so far, but the situation remains very serious. We are urging other skilled land managers with suitable equipment to step forward if they are able – but only under the direction of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. This is an extremely dangerous situation and public safety must remain the priority.

“In addition, SLE is now calling on the Scottish Government to activate its resilience room in response to this incident, as it did for the Galloway wildfires in April, to ensure all arms of government are engaged in the response.”