Residents of Nethy Bridge have accused authorities of a "poor" response to a wildfire that has burned for 10 days in the Cairngorms National Park, as police declared a major incident and evacuated some homes.
Richard Eccles, who runs a guest house with his wife Patricia, said police came to their door at 22:00 on Friday night and gave three options: stay, seek accommodation with family or friends, or go to an emergency respite centre at the Macdonald Aviemore Hotel. The couple chose to stay but have a camper van ready to leave at a moment's notice.
“Police declare major incident as Cairngorms wildfire forces evacuations; residents criticise response”
Eccles told the BBC the wildfire should have been declared a major incident sooner and communication from authorities had been "pretty poor". Another local resident echoed that sentiment, saying the Scottish government's response was like "closing the door now that the horse has bolted".
The major incident was declared by Police Scotland on Friday night after evidence suggested the fire was spreading towards Nethy Bridge. Access roads into the village were closed and a respite centre set up at the Macdonald Aviemore Hotel.
First Minister John Swinney held a meeting of the Scottish government's resilience committee on Saturday and said additional police and fire service resources were being deployed. He said: "The wind has changed direction overnight, which means the track of the fire has altered once again and the threat to Nethy Bridge has reduced, for the moment at least."
A change in wind direction on Thursday night had caused a flare-up, and smoke from the wildfire can now be seen 59 miles away in Aberdeen. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said people living north-west of Dorback Lodge at Lain Thatchan had also been evacuated, and advised residents in Tomintoul to keep windows and doors closed.
Swinney said ground and helicopter resources were focusing on the current path of the fire, and that a fire break had been established around Nethy Bridge overnight with new breaks being constructed.
The wildfire has forced the cancellation of a wedding due to take place at Castle Roy near the village, according to Eccles.