Scotland reviews aerial fire service after Cairngorms blaze

First Minister John Swinney visited the Cairngorms National Park on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, to assess the ongoing wildfire near Glenmore and thank emergency crews, as the Scottish Government faces growing calls to establish a dedicated aerial firefighting service. The blaze, which has been burning for approximately six days, has consumed a four-mile stretch of land and prompted an exclusion zone in the area.

Swinney met with firefighters, land managers, volunteers, and partner agencies at the scene near Loch Morlich. He praised their efforts, stating that crews from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Police Scotland, and other organizations had been outstanding in tackling the substantial fire. The First Minister also chaired a meeting with local community representatives to discuss the ongoing response.

The visit coincides with a separate wildfire at Arthurs Seat in Edinburgh over the weekend, highlighting a pattern of significant fire incidents during a period of dry weather. Authorities have extended a warning of a very high wildfire risk across many parts of Scotland for the rest of the week.

In his public remarks, Swinney emphasized that the dangers of wildfires...