Cairngorm residents say wildfire response ‘too slow’

Neil Gray said that decisions on how best to tackle the fire were taken on an “evidence basis” and the government “takes its lead from the emergency services in terms of our response.”

He said: “We’ve been very clear that all resources that could possibly be committed are being committed by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Gray added that the government had also approached the military to ask for additional helicopters having “exhausted all commercially available helicopters” but had not yet had a response.

The cabinet secretary continued that two helicopters were available on Saturay, and further helicopters would be available on Sunday.

He said these were coming from the commercial sector, and were covered by a contract that was led by the government body NatureScot.

The fire broke out near the village of Glenmore on Wednesday last week, and led to residents and campsites being evacuated.

It covered about six square kilometres of heather and small trees at its height, with more than 500 firefighters tackling it.