'The scenes are apocalyptic!' Hundreds told to leave homes as wildfire rages in the Highlands

By OLIVIA CHRISTIE, NEWS REPORTER and DAN BARKER, REPORTER Published: 21:57, 24 July 2026 | Updated: 21:58, 24 July 2026 Hundreds of villagers were ordered out of their homes on Friday night after emergency services declared a major incident over an out-of-control wildfire. Smoke billowing out from the inferno, which has been raging in the Cairngorms for more than a week, has drifted for 60 miles as it continued to tear through heathland. As the devastating blaze approached Nethy Bridge, home to around 600 people, heavy machinery was drafted in to create fire breaks in a desperate bid to stop it engulfing the village. Sandy McCook, the chairman of Nethy Bridge Community Council, said: ‘The scenes of smoke are absolutely apocalyptic, going thousands of feet in the air. ‘The clouds in during the last few evenings have been bright red with the glow from the flames that’s currently bearing down on the village.’ As the fire spread towards the village, and with strengthening winds, Police Scotland declared a major incident as they told villagers they should leave as a precaution. Cairngorms has been the scene of the wildfire which has re-kindled due to wind The smoke has drifted for 60 miles Superintendent Judy Hill said: ‘The weather conditions experienced within the Cairngorms over the last 24 hours have added further complexities to this situation. ‘With evidence suggesting the fire is spreading towards Nethy Bridge, the decision has been taken to declare a major incident and evacuate residents as a precaution ‘Additional police resources are being deployed to assist in contacting those who need to leave their properties and to maintain cordons around restricted areas while our fire service colleagues continue to tackle the wildfire.’ Firefighters have been tackling the blaze which first broke out near Ryvoan Bothy, south of Nethy Bridge, last Wednesday. But weather conditions have seen it spiral out of control. Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Kenny Barbour, from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said firefighters have ‘worked tirelessly over the past nine days to respond to this challenging and complex wildfire incident’. He said: ‘The combination of prolonged dry conditions, strengthening winds and challenging terrain has created an extremely complex operational environment. ‘Large areas of the fire ground are inaccessible by vehicle or on foot, making helicopter water-bombing operations and specialist wildfire tactics essential to our response. ‘More than 500 firefighters have been mobilised since the incident began, supported by specialist wildfire appliances, all-terrain vehicles, helicopters and partner agencies. ‘We will continue to maintain a significant operational response for as long as it is required.’ Following a change in the wind direction, smoke could be seen some 60 miles away in Aberdeen. The fire is spreading towards Nethy Bridge Firefighters have been tackling the blaze which first broke out last Wednesday Mr McCook, who said he worried about the potential of the fire reaching the village, said: ‘It’s absolutely heartbreaking to see what’s happening just now.’ The village is now a chaotic hive of activity, having been inundated with emergency services and police going door to door telling people to leave. But Mr McCook said: ‘The Government said last week they had all the resources they needed, the government also said it was contained last Wednesday night, yet we’re here 10 days later and its worse with no real prospect of it ending at the moment.’ The Scottish Government has now found itself under attack for how they have managed the situation. Tim Eagle, the Scottish Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said: ‘It’s unbelievable that the Scottish Government has failed to declare a major incident themselves after Police Scotland’s announcement of one, with the decision to evacuate all Nethy Bridge residents from their homes. ‘The scale of the Scottish Government’s response should match the gravity of the situation, which Police Scotland is hugely concerned about. ‘We are now well beyond the initial emergency, which is why the military must be mobilised as a matter of urgency to help control this devastating fire. ‘Those fighting these fires on the frontline will be tired and at breaking point, while distraught Nethy Bridge residents are fearful of the flames sweeping towards their homes. ‘Enough is enough. John Swinney must take heed of Police Scotland’s major incident and finally step up to declare one himself to ensure every avenue of support is put in place.’ Police Scotland have urged members of the public to avoid the affected areas in the Cairngorms National Park, warning that the area remained unsafe due to rapidly changing fire conditions.