Content warning: Please note that this article contains photographs of the aftermath following a fire at a disused quarry. The photographs are of the landscape and the things left behind, there are no graphic images, however, some might find these images difficult or traumatic so please do consider that before viewing.
The current wildfires here in the Scottish Highlands are devastating. What started as a small fire in heathland near the popular Ryvoan Bothy on Wednesday afternoon had spread across an area of over 6.6km by Thursday evening, burning through some of the most diverse and spectacular landscape in the uk. The fire has now made its way across the Cairn Gorm, around Glenmore and onto the ancient Caledonian pine forest that sits among it, hugging An Lochan Uaine.
The Cairngorms National Park is home to a vast and immense range of flora and fauna, including 25% of the UK’s rare and endangered species. The fire is dealing monumental impact to this much loved and valuable place. It is heartbreaking to see a place we all love dearly go up in flames. The RSPB has suggested that around 300 hectares has been burned. Wildfires in Scotland are unfortunately increasingly common. In June of last year, local to me on the Dava Moor was what has now been described as the UK’s first ‘megafire’. Also immensely devastating, the Dava fire burned through 29,225 acres.
I’ve been looking through photographs from last year that I made in the aftermath of a fire even closer to home. In my town, not far from my house, a fire broke out at the local disused quarry. It was started deliberately by a teenager who was local to the town. Even on a much smaller scale, this fire still ripped through the quarry, which was abundant with its own flora and fauna.
I didn’t photograph the fire while it burned, mostly because I felt it best not to interfere with those working hard to put it out and contain it. Instead, I returned to the quarry a number of days after the fire was contained, with my camera, and began to make pictures.
The pictures below are from that visit.
Making these pictures felt somewhat forensic. I moved carefully through the landscape so as to not disturb it, which is strange given that the fire had already disturbed it, destroyed it. There was something quite moving about being there alone in the aftermath. It was eerily calm and peaceful, a stark contrast to just days before when the fire had the landscape in its grip. I worked closely with my camera, carefully observing and documenting. I was reminded of the many times I had been there with my dog, running around as we do, visiting the small pond and looking out for the wildlife.
Seeing these pictures again as the Cairngorm wildfire continues to spread is difficult. The fire at this quarry, though devastating as it had been, was on a very local level and a significantly smaller scale. What is happening not just in the Cairngorms but worldwide is deeply concerning. Our home is on fire and we need to work together to love it, care for it and protect it. The difficult work to contain the wildfire is a collective effort by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, local game keepers, landowners, residents and a range of incredible volunteers. All of whom are working day and night to try and stop this from moving any further through this special and well loved landscape.
I am thinking of all of them as they continue the work, and, I am thinking of the many residents who are affected by this, the rich ancient woodland, and, the wildlife.
Amazing pictures to capture the stark reality of fire damage!
Hoping everyone is safe and the fires stop ❤️
Crazy you can see where it ended/begun!