The practice of muirburn, a traditional form of controlled burning on Scottish moors, is being re-examined as a growing threat of wildfires looms. Historically, muirburn served practical purposes, from improving grazing land to preventing larger, uncontrolled fires. It was also interwoven with aspects of community life, particularly in areas like Shawbost on the west side of Lewis.
The Ritual of Muirburn and 'Going to the Shielings'
The term 'out the road' in Shawbost carried a subtle menace, referring to journeys into the Great Moor, a landscape perceived as wild and potentially dangerous. This moorland, characterized by bog, heath, and lochs, was historically associated with folklore of bogles and spectres, and even a notorious serial killer in the 19th century. However, the moor was also central to communal activities like the annual peat cutting and the practice of 'going to the shielings.'
During the shielings, typically in spring, women and children would move to temporary dwellings on the moor for several weeks, taking the family's cattle for fresh grazing. This allowed men to re-thatch homes and kept livestock away from sprouting crops. For the teenagers left in charge of the children, these periods offered opportunities for courtship and romance, a phenomenon humorously recalled decades later.
The 'falaisg,' a specific type of muirburn, was a key element of these shieling experiences. Muirburn involves burning off old, dry vegetation to encourage new growth, thereby enhancing grazing and, counterintuitively, acting as a firebreak to prevent uncontrolled wildfires. When managed skillfully, it can also promote the sprouting of new heather, which is important for managing grouse moors.
The Rising Threat of Wildfires
In recent years, a lack of grazing on Scottish moors has exacerbated the problem of wildfires. This issue has become particularly acute during spring droughts. Several incidents have been noted in the Outer Hebrides, including a fire in 2012 that damaged Lews Castle Grounds and caused road closures, and another in April 2022 that filled a village with smoke. In Harris in 2003, a wildfire was severe enough to prompt considerations of evacuation.
Beyond the remote areas, wildfires have also occurred closer to urban centers. In March 2022, a destructive wildfire swept through the Ochil Hills. Blackford Hill in Edinburgh, bordering suburban areas, has burned multiple times, and even Arthur's Seat, a prominent landmark within the city and near the Scottish Parliament, recently caught fire. Causes range from arson to carelessly discarded cigarette butts, disposable barbecues, or even broken glass acting as a lens.
The escalating wildfire threat has drawn parallels to catastrophic fires seen internationally, such as those in Bordeaux, described as resembling scenes from Dresden, and intense firestorms capable of generating their own weather systems.
Regulation and Lingering Concerns
The practice of muirburn is governed by strict regulations set by NatureScot, with a defined season between September 15 and March 31. It requires common sense, awareness of wind direction, adequate personnel for control, and consideration for sensitive habitats. From autumn onward, a license will be required for muirburn.
However, calls for an immediate halt to muirburn by some groups, often those critical of field sports, are viewed with caution by proponents who see the practice as essential for moorland management. The tradition of going to the shielings largely ended after World War I and the subsequent conflict in 1939, though some continue to maintain holiday huts in remote areas.
While the romanticized memories of the shielings and the falaisg persist, the increasing danger posed by wildfires, fueled by drier conditions and less grazing, underscores the need for careful management and adherence to regulations. The historical practice of controlled burning must now contend with the stark reality of modern wildfire threats.
