The spring
form of traditional controlled muirburning. Not many years ago Scotland’s uplands were burned regularly in a time-honoured manner. Nowadays, with fewer sheep, cattle and deer grazing the hillsides and a surge in tree planting, there has been a huge increase in undergrowth. Easily ignited, this thick mat is almost impossible to extinguish. It is thanks to its careful management for grouse shooting that this unique landscape has been conserved, where elsewhere it has been lost.
Retaining burning as a management tool is, therefore, essential if we are to protect the landscape.
Yet, despite the evidence in its favour, there are environmentalists and anti-shooting activists with agendas of their own that oppose any burning. In doing so, their views threaten not just the environment but the wildlife and livelihoods of many in our upland communities.
Although the controlled cool burning of heather on moorland managed for grouse shooting is carried out within a clearly defined timeframe
Carefully controlled muirburning at sea level. Wildfires, such as this one in Glen Nevis in 2013, can ravage the landscape and put wildlife and human life and property in danger.
in accordance with a statutory Code of Practice and, in the case of protected sites such as a Site of Special Scientific Interest only with the consent of NatureScot, this will not stop wildfires from occurring.
There is no smoke in the glens now because agents working on behalf of Holyrood, while not actually banning it completely, so far, have made it almost impossible to make muirburn through injudiciously placed forestry plantations and reams of legislation.
The word is the Scottish National Party has lost the rural vote. Is there little wonder?