Last of wildfires in Highlands and Islands put out

FIREFIGHTERS have extinguished the last of over 200 wildfires which have caused mayhem in the Highlands and Islands.

More than 200 outbreaks have been tackled across in the region over a period of 10 days.

The last major fire, at Achmore near Plockton, was put out on Thursday evening after being ablaze for two days. At one point the fire covered an area of 5.5miles.

Eight fire appliances and dozens of firefighters worked round the clock to get the fire under control.

Residents were poised to evacuated on Wednesday when the flames came dangerously close to properties.

The number of fires being tackled had placed a severe strain on the fire service, and fire chiefs called on landowners to put a halt to the practice of muirburning while conditions remained “tinder dry”.