Villagers and campsites evacuated as wildfire burns across 2km in Highlands

Villagers, campsites and ski resorts have been evacuated as a "large-scale" wildfire has spread across 2kms (1.2 miles) of dry land in the Cairngorms National Park.

Fire crews with specialist resources have been battling the flames since about 11:50, after they took hold at Ryvoan Bothy at Nethy Bridge.

Members of the public are being urged to avoid Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich into Thursday as firefighting continues - though operations are expected to be scaled down through the night.

Earlier the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) sent all staff on duty to the scene, as the blaze is on the southern boundary of the Loch Garten Nature Reserve in Abernethy, which it owns.

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.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said there were no reported casualties.

A "very high" risk of wildfire remains in place for the central Highlands, southern and eastern Scotland.

Deputy assistant chief officer Ian McMeekin said: "This is a large-scale fire front, and our crews are working tirelessly to bring this fire under control and limit further spread.

"The risk is clear and the weather conditions today have contributed to this incident, with warm, high winds causing the fire to spread across areas of dry land.

"We have adequate resources committed to this incident, and our operational response will be scaled back overnight during hours of darkness to monitor conditions. However we anticipate being on scene for a considerable time to bring this incident to a safe conclusion."

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.

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."

A spokesperson for RSPB Scotland said colleagues from neighbouring Wildland Ltd and Rothiemurchus Estates were in attendance using fogging units on ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) and water pumps.

At the time he said the fire was travelling south to neighbouring land owned by Forest and Land Scotland.

The charity also attempted to get a private helicopter to assess the fire, but resources were unavailable as they were attending fires in England.

Capercaillie, which nest on the ground, have been spotted near Ryvoan as recently as May and there are RSPB signs along walking paths warning members of the public not to approach them.

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.

A visitor centre which runs guided trips to see free-ranging reindeer in the area said that the animals had been let out onto the mountains, adding "they are not close to the fire and will keep themselves safe".

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."

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Wildlife Forum 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.