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A wildfire that has been burning for two weeks within Cairngorms National Park has caused severe destruction, creating what park officials describe as an “apocalyptic” landscape. Since it began on 15 July, the fire has ravaged approximately 10 square miles (25 square kilometers) of moorland and woodland near Aviemore. Malcolm Smith, who advises the Cairngorms National Park Authority on farming matters, described the scene: “You are passing through just bare forest now and birds flying about looking for their nests.”
Among the affected areas is RSPB Scotland’s Loch Garten reserve at Abernethy, which has suffered significant damage. Dozens of firefighters, along with volunteers and helicopter water-bombing, continue to manage hotspots in the ongoing firefighting effort. Hope remains that the arrival of cooler weather and rain will help halt the wildfire’s advance. Smith reflected on the emotional toll of the fire, calling the impact “heartbreaking” and noting the surprising extent of the flames, which have even reached areas used for skiing: “To see the fires getting up to where people ski you really wouldn’t have thought that was possible.”
The fire has devastated the habitat at Loch Garten reserve, home to some 5,000 species, including insects, reptiles, trees, lichens, and mosses, many of which have been lost to the flames. James Reynolds of RSPB Scotland described the damage as “ugly and upsetting,” highlighting that the wildfire remains active with smouldering hotspots beneath the peat-rich soil that can reignite under windy conditions. He warned that it could take “weeks or more” before the fire is fully extinguished, adding, “We are praying for rain.”
The blaze began near the village of Glenmore outside Aviemore, prompting evacuation of local residents and nearby campsites. At its peak, over 500 firefighters were engaged in combating the fire, and Police Scotland categorized it as a “major incident.” Though some local groups criticized the Scottish government for a delayed escalation of the response, efforts continue with support from firefighting teams across Scotland. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is expected to provide further updates on the situation in due course
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