Muirburn licensing delayed until autumn 2026

New licensing rules for muirburn, originally due to take effect from September 2025 under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act, have been postponed until autumn 2026.

The Scottish government confirmed the delay after extensive discussions with land managers, gamekeepers, estate owners and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).

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Agriculture minister Jim Fairlie announced the move, citing both environmental and practical concerns.

“Delaying the implementation of the muirburn provisions until the start of the next season in Autumn 2026 gives us more time to carefully consider how these necessary changes to licensing can be brought forward, in a way which does not adversely affect our ability to prevent and respond to wildfires,” he said.

 “As we have all seen this summer, wildfires are very damaging to Scotland’s landscape, wildlife and particularly to our precious peatland carbon stores that are vital in tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis.”

The Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill, passed in March 2024 by the Scottish Parliament, includes measures to address raptor persecution and to promote sustainable species management on grouse moors.

Muirburn on deep peatland would require a licence under a stringent “necessity” test, favouring alternative vegetation control methods.

Scottish Land & Estates’ director of moorland, Ross Ewing, welcomed the delay.

“Without this delay, the ability to undertake controlled muirburn would have been significantly constrained, increasing the build-up of vegetation and, in turn, the risk of wildfire,” he said.

Scottish Conservative shadow rural affairs secretary Tim Eagle MSP also supported the decision, calling it a “much needed victory for common sense”.

He added: “Ministers must use this period to go back to the drawing board and properly listen and engage with land managers and rural Scotland, to deliver a scheme that is in their best interests.”

The announcement comes ahead of the Wildfire Summit on 14 October in Grantown-on-Spey.