Weekend Wildfires Across Scotland
Firefighters responded to multiple wildfires across Scotland over the weekend, with an extreme wildfire warning issued for parts of the country. Grass fires ignited at locations including Loch Lomond, the Isle of Skye, and near Lochinver in the Highlands on Saturday afternoon.
In Aberdeenshire, a fire that spread across a beach in Peterhead is under investigation by police as a deliberate act.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) maintained an 'extreme' wildfire warning for Western Scotland and a 'very high' warning for central and eastern regions until midnight. No injuries have been reported from any of the incidents.
Details of Fire Incidents
At Tarbet, near Loch Lomond, fire crews were alerted at approximately 14:45 on Saturday to an established blaze behind the village. Four crews and a specialist team battled the flames for nine hours, leaving just after 00:30 before being called back at 06:15 on Sunday.
On the banks of Loch Fionn near Lochinver, a fire spanning five miles was reported shortly before 14:00 on Saturday. The Assynt Foundation, which manages the land, along with workers from neighboring estates, used leaf blowers to assist in extinguishing the fire. Three fire crews attended and remained on scene for over two hours.
On the Isle of Skye, a small grass fire broke out near Struan at 14:30 and was extinguished by three crews within two hours.
Meanwhile, on Ugie Beach in Peterhead, three fire engines were dispatched to a blaze just before 21:00. The fire was extinguished by around 23:00. Police Scotland stated the fire is being treated as deliberate and investigations are ongoing.
Warnings and Public Advice
These incidents follow warnings from the SFRS about a serious and escalating wildfire threat across Scotland. Kenny Barbour, head of prevention at SFRS, urged the public to exercise extreme caution during these conditions.
"People living in the impacted areas should avoid lighting outdoor fires and be mindful that one spark can spread causing a large amount of damage.
Share wildfire warnings with your family, friends, and visitors.
And if anyone spots a large outdoor fire, please report it immediately by calling 999, providing your location, and any other relevant information so we can respond quickly."
Reasons for Increased Wildfires in Scotland
A new strategy has been implemented during Scotland's busiest wildfire months, which are March through May. The fire service has invested in new equipment and expanded a scheme involving volunteers and local community resources to assist in firefighting efforts.
SFRS data indicates that since 2010, 80% of recorded large outdoor fires occurred between March and May. This period is critical because dead ground vegetation remaining from winter serves as fuel for fires, temperatures rise, and more people spend time outdoors.
Climate change also plays a significant role, with warmer, drier summers and milder, wetter winters contributing to wildfire risk. Although wildfire numbers have fluctuated in recent years, 2025 was the worst year on record with 239 wildfires. Firefighters have warned that moorland and forest fires now represent one of the greatest threats to rural communities in Scotland.
