Restoring Hope on Arran After the Wildfire
Melanie Faller
When wildfire swept through Goat Fell and Glen Rosa on the Isle of Arran on April 10th, towering flames devoured native vegetation, scorched habitats, and sent smoke into global headlines. It was the island’s worst fire since 2001, leaving locals and conservationists reeling. But where some see destruction, others see a new chapter.
I joined Jeff Waddell of the National Trust for Scotland and Senior Ranger, Kate Sampson, to explore the charred glen and hear how they’re helping nature recover.
Restoring Nature: A Vision for the Future
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS), Scotland’s leading conservation charity, has committed to restoring all its land under its Plan for Nature. On Arran, this includes reviving native woodlands – oak, birch, alder, and willow – and planting endemic species like the Arran whitebeam and Catacol whitebeam.
“Arran is home to some of the rarest trees in the world,” explains Jeff.
Some of those trees were among thousands already planted when the fire struck. In 2020, the Trust erected a four-kilometre deer fence enclosing 400 hectares, funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery, allowing large-scale planting. Since then, 40,000 trees have been planted by schoolchildren, volunteers, and refugee groups.
“People love being involved. It’s good for mental health and gives people a way to give back,” says Kate.
Beyond trees, peatland is being re-wetted and grasslands revived through low-intensity conservation grazing.
“It’s about resilience – making habitats stronger and better able to cope with climate change,” Kate adds.
The Fire: Cause and Impact
The suspected cause of the wildfire? A discarded glass bottle.
Jeff says: “It’s like a magnifying glass effect. The glen is full of purple moor grass, which dies back in winter and leaves dry litter. After dry weather, it’s tinder-dry. If the sun hits it right – through a bottle – it can ignite.”
The fire burned four square kilometres of moorland, destroyed fencing, and scorched around 15,000 young trees, including rare whitebeams.
“We lost adders, slow worms, frogs, and colonies of yellow meadow ants. That has knock-on effects for birds and other species,” says Kate.
“In some areas, we may have lost ten years of restoration progress,” Keith adds. “It’s devastating.”
Kate continues: “The eastern side was completely torched. It’s not just the trees – it’s the effort of the kids and volunteers who planted them. That’s what really hurts.”
The incident underscores how a careless piece of litter can spark a disaster.
Rising Fire Risk and Climate Change
Arran hadn’t seen a wildfire like this since 2001, but climate trends are shifting. Wildfire frequency is rising across Scotland.
“In the past few years, wildfires have become more common due to dry weather. Climate change is likely a contributing factor,” says Keith.
Restoring native woodland and peatland could help reduce future risks. “Peatlands hold water and act like a sponge, reducing the impact of rainfall and fire,” Kate informs. “Native woodland could even help as a firebreak.”
Without trees, purple moor grass dominates Glen Rosa, creating a dry, flammable landscape. “Once trees are established, they’ll shade out the grass, and moss will hold water better,” Keith explains. “The restored habitat will be much more fire resilient.”
Fire prevention also depends on ranger patrols. “If people are camping and having a fire, we speak to them about how to do it responsibly,” he continues. “Sometimes that means saying, ‘Please can you not have a fire,’ because the risk is too high.”
“We’re coming to the conclusion,” Kate adds, “that there’s really never a safe time for a fire out on moorland. And always take your litter home.”
Empowering the Next Generation
Recovery will take years. “The vegetation will grow back quickly, but for habitat restoration, it’s a 20-year setback,” says Kate.
Despite the devastation, both remain hopeful. “The community response has been incredible,” confirms Kate. “Volunteers, fire crews, even the Auchrannie Hotel helped.”
Education is key to long-term change. “Young people on Arran are very environmentally aware,” she says. “We run a Young Naturalists Club and work with local schools. That connection to nature is important.”
“We depend on our 340,000 members and donors to support this work,” Keith adds. “From education to tree planting, every bit of help makes a difference.”
The Trust has launched a special appeal for Glen Rosa, allowing supporters to donate to help replant trees and repair damaged land: www.support.nts.org.uk/dedicate/tree/glen-rosa.
“We’re starting over,” says Keith, “but with people’s help, we can restore Glen Rosa – and make it better than it was before.”
Fire Service Response
Paul Storrie, Group Commander with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews attended a large grass fire near Glen Rosa in Arran between Thursday 10th April and Sunday 13th April. Three appliances and specialist resources were involved in supporting external agencies to extinguish the fire, which measured 600m x 600m. The National Trust also arranged a helicopter to assist at the incident. The area was made safe by Sunday morning, and crews left the scene. Wildfires can burn for days and spread across vast areas, devastating the countryside.
Responsible human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, so it is crucial that people act safely and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.”
