Cairngorms visitors warned off closed wildfire routes

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-07-23 12:22 3 min read

Two firefighters in protective gear stand in a scorched forest clearing near smoky mountains.

By Beehive Web News Desk | Published 23 July 2026

Visitors must continue to stay away from wildfire-affected parts of Cairngorms National Park throughout the coming weekend and into next week, emergency services have warned.

Do not enter closed paths or bypass police cordons. Substantial hotspots remain across remote terrain, while helicopters and ground crews are still conducting firefighting operations.

Although firefighters have made significant progress, the affected landscape remains unsafe. Strong winds could reignite hotspots or carry fire into areas that have not previously burned.

Paths around Glenmore and Loch Morlich remain closed

The current closures and restrictions cover several popular walking, cycling and mountain-access routes:

Paths around Glenmore, Loch Morlich and Badaguish
Low-level routes, including the Old Logging Way
Routes leading towards Cairngorm Mountain and the Northern Corries
Access to Meall A’ Bhuachaille, the Green Loch at Lochan Uaine, Strath Nethy and Bynack More
Paths within Abernethy Forest, south of Forest Lodge towards Ryvoan Bothy

Road closures, signs and police cordons have been placed around affected locations. Emergency services said they are still receiving reports of people attempting to enter restricted areas despite these controls.

The boundaries may change as crews assess fire behaviour, weather and operational needs. Police Scotland said road closures and exclusion zones remain under continued review during what is still a dynamic incident.

Hotspots still require operations from the air and ground

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has maintained a major response since the wildfire was reported on Wednesday, 15 July. More than 100 firefighters have been mobilised alongside specialist wildfire appliances, all-terrain vehicles and partner agencies.

Helicopters continue to support firefighters, landowners and estate workers by targeting hotspots in places that are difficult to reach from the ground. Crews are also working to extinguish remaining pockets of fire, prevent reignition and monitor conditions across the extensive site.

Cairngorms visitors warned off closed wildfire routes

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Michael Humphreys said firefighters and partner organisations had made good progress after working in challenging conditions for more than a week. He cautioned, however, that substantial hotspots were still burning across a large and complex landscape.

“These hotspots continue to require intensive firefighting efforts, both on the ground and from the air, and crews will remain on scene into next week,” Humphreys said.

Highland Council also reported that a very high wildfire warning was in place until Friday. Wind remains a particular concern because it could revive smouldering areas and spread fire beyond the existing footprint.

Entering restricted areas puts visitors and crews at risk

Walkers, cyclists and other visitors should not travel into the exclusion zone, move closure signs or attempt to find a way around cordons. Helicopter water-bombing, moving emergency vehicles and active ground operations add hazards beyond the fire itself.

Unauthorised entry can also divert attention and resources from the operation. Humphreys said respecting the restrictions allows crews to work safely and effectively while reducing avoidable pressure on emergency services.

Inspector Craig Johnstone of Police Scotland acknowledged the effect of the incident on communities, including concerns about homes, evacuations and lost business revenue. He said public safety had guided decisions throughout the multi-agency response.

Restrictions will remain under review into next week

Firefighters will continue monitoring conditions until the incident is fully under control. The duration and extent of closures will depend on progress against the remaining hotspots and any change in the weather.

Emergency services and partner agencies expect operations to continue through the weekend. Police Scotland hopes to provide a further progress update towards the start of next week, but access restrictions remain in force unless officials confirm otherwise.

Source: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service News

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source trail

This report reflects the closure, deployment and safety details issued by emergency services on 23 July 2026.

Checks

Matched the named closed paths and destinations against the official incident notice.
Confirmed that firefighting operations were expected to continue through the weekend and i...
Distinguished progress against the fire from the continuing danger posed by substantial ho...
Retained the official warning that closures and exclusion zones remain under review.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service News Check wider coverage