Bright Spark Burning Techniques

Muirburn Change 2026

There are a number of changes which impact muirburn with effect from 15 September 2026.

As you know the Legislation is changing regarding controlled burning.

Key points are

The season changes from 1st October to 15th April to 15th September until 31st March

There are now 7 Licensable Purposes specific to either Peatland (over 40 cm deep) or Non Peatland (less than 40 cm deep). These are listed at the end of this document.

PPE now has two new requirements:

· Head covering

· De-Wipes (to remove carbon particles from skin)

One person must have completed training to be eligible for a Licence. NatureScot has confirmed that if you have started your training but not completed it due to weather conditions, they will still grant a Licence on the understanding that you finish the training

If you are a host estate for training, you will require to add training on your Licence application and add whether it is for Land Managers/SFRS or both

To do this, please put training as a licensable purpose and put the date you have completed your eLearning. Please send Bright Spark a copy/screenshot of your eLearning Certificate. In the justification box please put ‘awaiting practical day’s training and will not muirburn until training is complete’

A new eLearning module is being developed, you will require to resit the eLearning module when your current Lantra Certificate is due for renewal. Lantra certificates are now valid for 5 years and we are in the process of sending out replacement licences to those who currently have one which is valid for three years

The online muirburn licence application is now available on the NatureScot website. It can be accessed via this link:

https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/protected-areas-and-species/licensing/muirburn-licensing

Non-peatland purposes

Managing the habitats of moorland game or wildlife

This purpose allows the use of muirburn as a tool to maintain and manage habitats to support moorland game such as red grouse or other moorland wildlife.

Improving the grazing potential of moorland for livestock

This purpose allows burning as a tool to help improve moorland plants to support grazing for livestock.

Conserving, restoring, enhancing or managing the natural environment

This purpose allows the use of muirburn as a tool to help achieve benefits to the natural environment through:

conserving: protecting the natural environment from harm or destruction.
restoring: bringing the natural environment back to its original or former condition, position, or state or assisting the recovery of an ecosystem.
enhancing: improving the quality, value, or extent of the natural environment.
managing: taking action to help support the natural environment.

Preventing, or reducing the risk of, wildfires causing damage to habitats

This purpose allows the use of muirburn as a tool to prevent or reduce the risk of wildfire to habitats.

Preventing, or reducing the risk of, wildfires causing harm to people or damage to property

This purpose allows the use of muirburn to prevent or reduce the risks of wildfire to property such as forestry or buildings and to people, for example by protecting built up areas, roads or occupied buildings.

Research

This purpose allows the use of muirburn to develop understanding on a specific area/topic within a research project.

Training

This purpose allows the delivery of approved training courses, that teach practitioners how to conduct muirburn safely.

ttps://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/protected-areas-and-species/licensing/muirburn-lice

Peatland licensing purposes for muirburn

Restoring the natural environment

This purpose allows the use of muirburn as a tool to restore natural environments by bringing the natural environment back to its original or former condition or assisting the recovery of an ecosystem.