Decision to delay muirburn licensing scheme is welcomed as ‘pragmatic step’
A decision to postpone the introduction of muirburn licensing has been welcomed as a ‘pragmatic and necessary step’.
Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, commented after the Scottish Government confirmed that it would delay the start date for licensing until January, 1, 2026 – just over three months later than the previous intended start date of September 15, last this year.
The provisions of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 will require a licence to be in place for all muirburn activity including on non-peatland.
However, the complexity of mapping peat depth, establishing survey data and preparing licence applications had raised serious concerns among rural stakeholders.
They had warned that rushing the system into place before the start of the 2025–2026 muirburn season would have created unworkable conditions and significantly increased wildfire risk.
Scottish Land & Estates has worked closely with NFU Scotland, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, Scotland’s Regional Moorland Groups and BASC to make the case to Ministers for a more realistic timescale.
Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to delay the introduction of muirburn licensing until January 2026.
“This is a pragmatic and necessary step that reflects the serious technical and logistical challenges raised by stakeholders across the rural sector.
“There is broad consensus that muirburn, when conducted responsibly and in line with best practice, is an essential land management tool – not least in helping to reduce fuel loads and mitigate the growing threat of wildfires.
“However, introducing a licensing system without giving land managers sufficient time to comply would have been counterproductive and potentially dangerous.
“We are grateful to government and NatureScot for their engagement on this matter, and to our colleagues across the rural sector for their collaborative efforts in making the case for this postponement.
“This outcome is positive for rural Scotland and will allow for better preparation ahead of the next muirburn season and also reduce the risk of unintended wildfire impacts.”
The licensing portal is expected to open this summer, giving applicants time to prepare application materials before a licence becomes mandatory.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority has been tackling the risk from wildfire and muirburn had been on their agenda before members agreed that it would be best looked after as part of the new licensing scheme.
The park authority is proceeding with other measures to try and combat the danger using byelaws, however.
A CNPA spokesperson said: “The three month delay on muirburn licensing to 1 January 2026 has no impact on the byelaws, which will still, subject to ministerial approval, start on 1 April 2026.”
