WILDFIRES broke out across tinder-box Scotland yesterday afternoon. Fire crews were called out to a series of blazes as the country’s heatwave continued.
Gorse caught alight at Buckpool Golf Course, between Buckie and Portgordon, in Aberdeeshire, forcing police to close the A990. Eyewitness Dougie Coull, visiting the area from Langbank, said: “Flames shot up into the sky and it looked as if the fire was spreading quickly.”
Gorse also caught fire on Slochd Summit, a mountain pass between Inverness and Aviemore, at around 2.30pm.
Three fire engines were called to the scene after land caught fire beside the A9 and the Highland railway line.
Wildfires broke out near Daviot, Inverurie and in woodland near the Braefoot Bay oil terminal between Aberdour and Dalgety Bay.
In England a major incident was declared after two large moorland fires merged near Bolton.
Around 100 troops from the 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, were sent from barracks in Catterick, North Yorkshire, to help fire crews.
Water restrictions ‘can’t be far off’
A leading gardener warned it is only a matter of time before water restrictions are imposed in Scotland.
Beechgrove Garden presenter George Anderson said: “There is probably some scientific definition of a ‘drought’ but whatever it is, we can’t be very far from it.
“You can see lawns shrinking. The only ‘green’ part of golf courses are the greens themselves, which are being watered.”
Rivers, including the Spey, are running low and two areas of Scotland now have water usage warnings. Homes and businesses in Moray have been asked to use less water “to ensure supply.”
A Scottish Water spokesman said: “We have issued advice to customers to use water wisely in parts of Moray and Stornoway.”
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