Dramatic images capture gamekeepers' efforts to contain wildfires
Last updated 28th May 2026
Gamekeepers have helped prevent wildfires from causing more lasting and serious damage at two of Scotland's best known beauty spots as temperatures soared.
The team of around 20 trained professionals from the Moorfoots, Pentlands and the fringes of the Lammermuir hills answered an SOS on Monday afternoon to attend an out-of-control fire in the Pentland Hills Regional Park near Edinburgh.
Six fire engines were mobilised by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, abetted by gamekeepers, who attended with three fogging units, leaf blowers and swipes.
While the joint effort - assisted by neighbouring farmers - succeeded in extinguishing the fire, some birds and nests were scorched as it moved over the heather at speed.
Images taken show the devastating impact on local wildlife, with the cause of the wildfire still unclear.
It's understood park rangers were called to extinguish several barbecues and fires over the course of the bank holiday weekend, with visitor numbers soaring due to the warmer weather.
At one stage, attending crews considered calling a helicopter for assistance to douse the flames but the land managers managed to bring the fire under control.
“It was a big fire and if the local estates hadn’t turned up with their equipment, the fire might have just run on," according to Andy Buchan, one of the gamekeepers.
"The area is known as the Black Hill and if the wind direction had changed it would have taken the whole hill out.
“The equipment was really important in getting the fire under control but it was such a shame to see the cost to the wildlife, when we looked back over the ground.”
Another wildfire took hold, in the Cairngorms National Park, on Tuesday near Lochan Mor.
Rothiemurchus Estate staff, the fire service and local gamekeepers from Kinveachy Estate managed to extinguish the flames before it engulfed the wider forest area.
The Park authorities recently introduced a new fire bylaw which bans fires and barbecues between April and September.
“With hot weather and changing fire seasons in Scotland, gamekeepers will have an increasing role to play in protecting people and property," Alex Hogg, chairman of Scottish Gamekeepers Association said.
“We are proud of what our members do, using their skills and knowledge to help, where they can."
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