Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF) urges crofters who practice Muirburn to do so with extra care as several fires have gone out of control in difficult conditions recently.
“Burning off the heather in a carefully controlled manner is an essential part of managing hill grazing,” Yvonne White, vice-chair of the SCF said. “Burning heather allows it to regenerate providing food and access. If the hill was not burnt then the heather would be waist high and woody, and the habitat would be poorer for all: livestock, wild animals and humans.
“There have been several cases of fires getting out of control lately. In some areas conditions have been difficult with very dry ground and erratic winds. Errors happen, you can misjudge the wind and the situation can change very quickly. I suggest that Common Grazings committees should review their Muirburn plan to make sure it is up-to-date as a new code has been issued.”
