WATCH: Recovery from devastating Highland wildfire at Corrimony nature reserve ‘is under way’, says RSPB Scotland
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A wildfire-ravaged landscape left behind after one of the biggest blazes in recent Highland history is “showing signs of recovery”.
RSPB Scotland said its nature reserve at Corrimony, which was extensively damaged last year, has begun the long road to recovery - thanks both to the resilience of nature and the charity’s army of volunteers and donors.
Commenting one year on from the major wildfire, which destroyed important habitats that are home to species including Black Grouse and Scottish Crossbill, the charity said the response had been “uplifting”.
Simon Mclaughlin, the site manager at RSPB Scotland Corrimony, said: “We were devastated by impacts of the wildfire which destroyed huge amounts of the habitat here and undid decades of crucial woodland restoration. The generosity of our members, supporters, and partners has enabled us to begin to recover this incredible nature reserve.”
The wildfire began on the last weekend of May last year, near Cannich to the southwest of Inverness, and was suspected to have been started by a camping stove on the nearby Glen Affric and Kintail Way.
An exceptional dry spell with hot and sunny weather over a few weeks allowed the blaze to become established and it spread rapidly, including onto Forest and Land Scotland woodlands and to the RSPB Scotland Corrimony nature reserve.
Set in stunning moorland and Caledonian forest, Corrimony hosts a wide array of species ranging from Black Grouse, Scottish Crossbills and, Crested Tits to soaring Golden Eagles in the wider Glen Affric area.
Tragically the fire burned for days despite staff from Corrimony and nearby RSPB nature reserves, multiple fire crews, helicopter teams, neighbouring landowners and staff and others working round the clock to extinguish the blaze.
But one year on and with much work on the ground in the aftermath, the charity said the green shoots of recovery were already starting to show.
Simon added: “It has been uplifting to see the positive impact we have been able to make already, from planting new trees to rebuilding important deer fencing. The support we have received from across Scotland and beyond has been essential in helping to restore Corrimony.”
Funds raised through an appeal in the wake of the blaze have helped support the costs of replanting woodlands, providing deer management, and better equipped the nature reserve against future wildfire risk.
The Corrimony wildfire appeal raised over £200,000 from RSPB members, supporters, and philanthropists. Restoration work has also been supported by Barratt Homes and Trees for Life.
