Nethy Bridge is being evacuated as a major wildfire continues to spread in the Cairngorms National Park. The blaze, which has been raging for nearly two weeks, has intensified due to strengthening winds, prompting Police Scotland to declare a major incident on Friday 25 July 2026.
Residents of Nethy Bridge have been relocated to a dedicated respite centre at the Macdonald Aviemore hotel, with access roads now closed. The Scottish Government's resilience room (SGoRR) met in emergency session, chaired by First Minister John Swinney and attended by senior emergency service personnel and government ministers.
The wildfire has already burned over six square kilometres of heather and small trees, producing smoke that has drifted as far as Aberdeen – around 97 kilometres from its origin. Over 500 firefighters are battling the blaze, utilising specialist appliances, all-terrain vehicles, and helicopter water-bombing operations, backed by Forestry and Land Scotland, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, landowners, and estate gamekeepers.
Police Scotland Superintendent Judy Hill warned that residents in Tomintoul – around 16 kilometres east of Nethy Bridge – should keep windows and doors closed due to pervasive smoke. She confirmed that with evidence suggesting the fire is spreading towards Nethy Bridge, a precautionary evacuation was deemed necessary.
First Minister John Swinney thanked first responders for their tireless efforts since the blaze began, pledging continued support from SGoRR as the situation develops. The Scottish Government will convene again to monitor the incident's progress.