A hillside on the Isle of Arran that was severely damaged by wildfire has now reopened to the public. The blaze, which broke out on Glen Rosa, near Goat Fell, last Tuesday afternoon, was extinguished by Saturday following a combined effort from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and local volunteers.
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Community support poured in throughout the week, with generous donors leaving food parcels at local fire stations. The overall response was described as “Arran at its best” by many involved.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) Arran Ranger Service said:
“All access to Glen Rosa, Goat Fell and Glen Sannox is now open.
“A HUGE thank you to all who helped extinguish the fire and those who supported the teams – it was truly Arran at its best!
“We are incredibly grateful to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service teams from across the island, Police Scotland, the Arran Mountain Rescue Team, Sannox Estate, Dougarie Estate, the Forestry and Land Scotland team on Arran, and the many local volunteers who worked tirelessly to contain the fire and prevent walkers from entering dangerous areas.
“Thanks also to Auchrannie Resort staff, who provided food and accommodation, and to Wooleys, Janie’s, and the Dundee Bean Machine for their generous donations, along with everyone who left supplies at the fire stations.
“Further appreciation goes to North Ayrshire Council staff for managing path closures, CalMac for broadcasting ferry announcements, and all who helped spread updates on social media.
“It was a phenomenal collective effort. The damage is extensive, but without this incredible support, it could have been far worse.”
Elsewhere in Scotland, two wildfires near Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway, reported on Saturday evening, have also been extinguished. The incidents occurred just before the expiry of an “extreme” wildfire warning.
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A Police Scotland spokesperson said:
“The wildfires near the A701, which were reported on Saturday evening, have been extinguished.
“Officers were alerted to fires in the Tweedsmuir area and another just north of Moffat. There have been no reported injuries.
“The road has now fully reopened, and we thank the public for their cooperation and support.”
