Wildfire recovery fund provides support to rural businesses

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business organisation, has welcomed the allocation of funding to compensate for equipment damaged tackling the devastating wildfires earlier this year.

The first tranche of funding has been awarded to rural businesses, with further sums expected early in the new year, enabling the rapid repair or replacement of vital equipment.

Ross Ewing, director of moorland and strategic projects, Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Decisive action by the Cairngorms National Park Authority – supported by the Scottish Government – has resulted in this swift distribution of funds to offset some of the losses sustained. We very much welcome this proactive approach, and partnership working with farmers, gamekeepers, land managers, crofters and rural communities.”

Colin McClean, Head of Land Management at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: “Hundreds of gamekeepers and land managers pulled together to fight the fires this summer, with many providing specialist equipment which was essential to bringing the situation under control. We were pleased to provide this grant in recognition of those efforts, as part of the wider commitments set out in our new Integrated Wildfire Management Plan. We look forward to continuing to work closely with land managers across the National Park in 2026."

The worst wildfires ever recorded in Scotland - and the UK - destroyed nearly 12,000 hectares of moorland and woodland between Dava and Carrbridge in late June and early July.

In a report requested by the Scottish Government in July, SLE quantified the response by land-based and rural businesses during the wildfires, including the use of specialist firefighting equipment with an estimated value close to £4 million, helicopters being deployed for over 96 hours and around 110 employees engaged in the containment effort. Of those who tackled the fire, 79% had practical experience of muirburn and two-thirds were formally trained in its use.

The implementation of muirburn licensing has been postponed to Autumn 2026, following discussions between the Scottish Government’s Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairlie MSP, and land managers, gamekeepers, estate owners and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).

Ross Ewing continued: “The threat posed by wildfire is increasing and this year’s massive fires demonstrated the importance of coordinated, partnership working to help better prepare for and respond to, these events. Ministers have engaged constructively with us on this issue and have taken a pragmatic, evidence-led approach to the concerns raised. The funding is a recognition of the damages sustained and the vital need for partnership working between the private sector, SFRS and public bodies.”

The Scottish government hosted Scotland’s first wildfire summit in October, bringing together fire-fighters, land managers, fire behaviour experts and a wide range of rural workers to discuss best practice in wildfire mitigation and help develop a strategic plan for wildfire prevention and curtailment.