Villagers evacuated from homes as wildfire breaks out in Highlands

Villagers have been evacuated from their homes after a wildfire broke out in the Highlands.

Fire crews have been battling the flames with specialist resources at Ryvoan Bothy in the Cairngorms National Park since about 11:50.

Because the blaze is on the southern boundary of the Loch Garten Nature Reserve in Abernethy, which is owned by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the charity has sent all staff on duty to the scene.

They said the fire is not a risk to ospreys that are located about six miles away. However the BBC understands there are capercaillie - a large woodland grouse - around Ryvoan.

BBC Scotland spoke to local resident, Duncan Ferguson who was evacuated earlier.

He said: "This afternoon we were evacuated by the police which was quite an experience - considering when we were evacuated and got to the campsite everybody was sitting there drinking their coffee.

"There was a band playing outside the Pine Martin and traffic was still going up and down the road.

"Five years ago we asked for a fire plan for Glenmore because we knew something like this would happen. Nothing has happened."

Police said that evacuations had been carried out as a precaution, and that the C7 road - known locally as Ski Road - has been closed.

A spokesperson for the force said: "Anyone walking in the Cairngorms should avoid the area and let family or friends know when they have returned."

A number of residents from nearby villages and towns said they could see plumes of smoke and could hear sirens racing to the scene.

SFRS group commander Raymond King said there were no reported casualties but advised residents in Aviemore, Glenmore and the surrounding areas to keep windows and doors closed.

He said: "If you are within this area and can see or smell smoke, please follow the same advice.

"While we want people to avoid the good weather, we ask that anyone in the Cairngorms National Park near to Aviemore and Glenmore avoid the area.

"This part of the Cairngorms National Park is popular with hillwalkers, and we ask that people remain vigilant while active firefighting continues."

A spokesperson for the RSPB Scotland said colleagues from neighbouring Wildland Ltd and Rothiemurchas Estates are also in attendance using multiple fogging units on ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) and additional water pumps.

He said: "Support is also either present or on the way from other neighbouring estates and their staff, including Dorback, Moray, Seafield and Kinveachy to help fight this significant fire.

"The front of the fire extends for roughly 1km, and is presently travelling south on to neighbouring land owned by Forest and Land Scotland."

The charity is in the process of getting a private helicopter to assess the incident which will need to be approved by the SFRS.

They added: "We are hopeful that we can secure helicopter support soon, but they are presently unavailable due to attending fires south of the border in England."

The capercaillie is a native species that became extinct in Britain in the mid-18th Century but were reintroduced in Perthshire in 1837.

Earlier this year the Scottish government announced an emergency plan to boost numbers in the Cairngorms.

Breeding male capercaillies have increased by by 50% since 2020, but numbers had declined as a result of habitat loss, eggs being eaten and the birds flying into deer fences.

Ospreys are migratory birds and some fly more than 3,000 miles (4,828km) from west Africa to breed in Scotland.

In 1954, Loch Garten had the first confirmed pair of breeding ospreys since the species went extinct in the UK in 1916 due to habitat loss and persecution.

Ross Ewing, from Scottish Land and Estates, said the incident was "clearly serious and fast-moving" and urged members of the public to keep routes clear for emergency vehicles.

He also encouraged landowners and land managers to take precautionary measures including the readying of specialist fire equipment.

Staff at Glenmore Outdoor Centre, which is near the blaze, asked people not to travel to the area.

They said: "Follow official advice from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and be patient with staff while the ongoing situation is managed appropriately."

A spokesperson for the Cairngorms National Park Authority said the fire was "deeply concerning".

They added: "This incident – alongside wildfires we are seeing across the UK this week – serves as a stark reminder of the risks that periods of drier, hotter weather can pose."

It comes as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Wildlife Forum have issued a wildfire warning for central Highlands, southern and eastern Scotland from Wednesday, lasting until next Monday.

Temperatures are expected to reach 28C on Wednesday around Fort William, with very dry weather forecast for the rest of the week especially in central and western areas.

The fire service's wildfire tactical adviser, Kevin Dingwall, said that many people will be outdoors enjoying the weather this week and urged them to take "simple steps" to prevent fires from starting.

He said: "Hot, dry conditions increase the risk of wildfire across Scotland. Even if a warning is not in place where you live, we ask everyone to stay vigilant.

"Wildfires can destroy property, landscapes and wildlife. That's why it's so important that everyone takes extra care during these conditions.

"Avoid lighting outdoor fires or barbecues in affected areas, and remember that a single spark can cause significant damage. There is no such thing as a harmless fire.

"You can help by sharing wildfire warnings with your family, friends, and any visitors."

If you see a large outdoor fire, call 999 immediately. Give the location and any other relevant information so fire crews can respond quickly.