Glenmore wildfires: community's call to arms
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An army of community interests is mobilising to take the battle to those who damage, desecrate, litter and endanger the strath's beauty spots.
Stronger laws are being called for following the latest abuses, including the 'rings of fires' around Loch Morlich in contempt of the requests for restraint from both visitors and locals.
Local MP Drew Hendry told the Strathy: "The Land Reform Bill and Outdoor Access Code afford people the right to enjoy our land, yet they also allow our woodlands to be abused, with lives put in danger by some irresponsible campers or visitors.
"The events of the past week aren't isolated, it's an almost daily occurrence at places like Loch Morlich. And just because the answer is hard doesn't mean we shouldn't try to find one."
Meetings have been held involving most of the agencies tasked with finding the best way to turn the heat on the offenders.
Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust chair Duncan Swarbrick said: "We were delighted that there was a
strong attendance this week from the community, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Forest and Land Scotland, the Highland Council, Aviemore Community Council and the office of Mr Hendry. We were impressed by the unanimity in the room supporting the need for urgent action and for by-laws to be introduced.
"As a community body and having listened to the meeting of the residents, we are formally asking the CNPA to initiate the steps required for a by-law to be introduced to Glenmore Forest Park – in particular, prohibiting the lighting of any fire, including any charcoal barbecue, within the forest areas of Glenmore including on the beach and foreshore of Loch Morlich; all camping on the beach and foreshore of Loch Morlich, particularly within 100 metres of the loch, other than on a designated campsite."
The trust hope to achieve a community owned/managed anchor within Glenmore and are in discussion with FLS regarding an application for an asset transfer for the visitor centre and café.
Last Wednesday they met with residents and businessess to share their vision. They are to launch a community-wide consultation. But this week the emphasis was on combatting the abusers of the area.
Similar demands have also been made in Badenoch, notably at the Speyside Beach Meadows of Kingussie, where local community council chairman Ruaridh Ormiston begged: "Can I please ask people to treat the area with respect so that everybody can enjoy it. Reports of fires in recent days and rubbish, beer cans, fire remains and broken bottles - this just spoils it for everybody else and could cause injury to children, bathers, dogs and livestock.
"If anybody sees antisocial behaviour, fires or littering there please contact the police on 101 and report it on my behalf."
In Glenmore, Lauren MacCallum, a CNPA board member said: “Most of our visitors are fantastic and we extend them a very warm welcome but sadly we are seeing a small but damaging number of people irresponsibly camping in this location – this is having a negative impact and needs to stop.
“The rangers are all doing a brilliant job out on patrol but they cannot be everywhere at once and have limited powers. Therefore people must adhere to the onsite signage about fire risk and ensure they clean up after themselves. Local residents have every right to express their concerns and we want them to know that the park authority and partner organisations are listening and taking action. After all, most of our staff and board members are residents too, so we care just as much.”
Local councillor and board member Russell Jones said: "All responsible agencies have to step up and take action.
"I imagine any by-laws to limit wild camping in certain areas would take a while to go through due process but I will be interested to hear if any emergency powers could be implemented in the interim before we have a major incident.
"I will be consulting with colleagues at Highland Council and also look forward to an update and discussion at the CNPA Board meeting on Friday.
MP Drew Hendry has written to the key stakeholders including the CNPA, the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition, local councillors, the Highland Council, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland.
“But this conversation needs to be broader and deeper – it needs to be community-led. I am inviting everyone to share their suggestions and concerns with me, and I will bring these views together into a shared community report. Whether it's through local meetings, emails, or policy action, we know that change is needed, and for that to happen, we need to act.”
