King Charles visits Cairngorms after summer wildfire

King Charles has expressed "admiration and appreciation" for those who helped tackle this summer's wildfire in the Cairngorms.

The king travelled to An Lochan Uaine – commonly known as the Green Lochan -where he met volunteers, firefighters and landowners who were part of the efforts.

The fire broke out in the Glenmore area near Aviemore on July 15 and burned across 3,300 hectares of land for almost five weeks.

In a statement, Charles thanked "all those who have worked so tirelessly and courageously" to bring this year's wildfires under control across the UK.

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He said: "My wife and I have been appalled by the devastating impact of wildfires this summer and the terrible destruction they have caused to homes, livelihoods and landscapes, not only in this beautiful landscape of the Cairngorms, but across the United Kingdom and – as we have seen – other regions of Europe.

"I can only express my admiration and appreciation to all those who have worked so tirelessly and courageously, in the UK and beyond, to bring these fires under control and to those supporting communities facing the long road to restoration and renewal that still lies ahead."

More than 500 firefighters were involved in fighting the blaze, with homes, businesses, campsites and a ski resort in the area evacuated.

Charles arrived in a Land Rover shortly after 11:00 and for part of the visit walked with the assistance of a shepherd's crook as he traversed the uneven ground through woodland above the loch.

Representatives of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, the RSPB, NatureScot and staff from local estates were among those to meet Charles.

He spoke to them about the blaze, their firefighting efforts, and the damage done to the area.

At one point he could be heard discussing how Caledonian pine trees respond following a fire, and saying it is a "great relief" that the area has now seen some rain.

He also met representatives of other national parks – including the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, in the United States, which he visited in April.

As part of the visit, Charles marked the new twinning partnership between the Cairngorms and the US park.

The mountains of Scotland and Appalachia in the US formed part of the same ancient range more than 250 million years ago, before geological forces gradually separated them across the Atlantic.

Charles unveiled a piece of granite from Shenandoah National Park to mark the shared geological heritage of the two national parks.

The stone is a companion to the one from the Cairngorms that was unveiled in Shenandoah during Charles's state visit earlier this year.

Cairngorms National Park boss Grant Moir said: "It was great to have him here and to show him the damage that was caused by the wildfire.

"But also to talk about what's going to happen in the future and how we're all working together to ensure these things are minimised in the future, and that we can do more to try and protect these amazing places."

He said the King's visit was "incredibly important" in raising awareness of the wildfire, and of the ongoing work to help the area recover from it.

In pictures: King Charles arrives at Balmoral

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