Wildfires Scotland: National Trust issues warning after reserve is damaged by fire and human waste

The camping season has only just begun, but wildlife rangers are already urging members of the public to respect their natural surroundings after finding land damaged by fires and human waste.

The remains of a substantial wildfire at a roadside camping hotspot in Glen Etive in April (National Trust Scotland)

National Trust Scotland said during its weekly patrols around Glencoe over the last month, rangers found damaged land from multiple fires and litter, including human waste.

Staff confirmed there was evidence of at least two wildfires in April alone, one which destroyed a “substantial area” in Glen Etive where a disposable BBQ grate was found in the charred earth.

The Trust said it was thankful to gamekeepers on a neighbouring estate who got to it before they did to put it out.

Damage caused by a fire in Glen Etive which was found by National Trust Scotland rangers as they were patrolling the area (National Trust Scotland)

Rangers checking on the area’s Coire Gabhail, otherwise known as "Hidden Valley", found an abandoned tent and evidence of branches that were chopped down for a campfire in the same month.

In a statement, the Trust said: “Coire Gabhail is home to a precious pocket of temperate 'rainforest', rich in biodiversity and internationally renowned for rare lichens.

"Cutting living trees in a National Nature Reserve is lazy. It's vandalism.

"It is also pointless because 'green' wood is full of moisture and won't burn well.

Fire spreads at Glen Etive as National Trust Scotland calls for campers to be more mindful of the countryside (Gary Fox)

"Do not light any naked flames here right now. It is reckless and irresponsible.”

Scott McCombie, head ranger at Glencoe National Nature Reserve, said human waste and litter is another “massive issue”; so much that local residents set up a Facebook group in 2021 called “Glen Etive the dirty truth.”

"People don’t know how ‘to go’ in the outdoors and it causes a massive problem,” said Mr McCombie.

"Digging a hole or picking it up and taking it with you like you would with dog waste is how it should be done, but unfortunately people don’t do this.”

On the issue of fires, he said if visitors must have one, they should raise it above ground, or buy fire bowls to contain in.

"The aluminium for disposable BBQs gets so hot it will set alight to the vegetation underneath.

"And creating stone circles doesn’t always work to keep a fire under control.”

Mr McCombie said April is often the worse month for wildfires and litter in the Glencoe area.

"People have been cooped up all winter and they are keen to get out and perhaps aren’t as careful,” he said.

"But we really try and make it clear every year to campers to take only photographs and leave only footprints.”

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) responded to more than one wildfire a day in spring last year, with 95 incidents being recorded during March and April 2022.

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Bruce Farquharson said: “We would always recommend not having a fire at all but we do recognise there are occasions where people will still want to have one.

“It is important that people understand the impact of deliberate or careless fire-setting – even with the best intentions there is still a risk that a fire can spread.”

He urged the public to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.