Fires on the hillside in spring clear the way for sheep and waders, but the changing weather means a different approach is needed
It’s been a cold, confusing spring in Galloway. When I was growing up, it was normal for a chilly, dry wind to come out of the east at the end of March and the start of April. We looked forward to those conditions because they allowed us to burn heather on many of the wetter parts of our hill. These fires were often lit to improve the grazing for sheep, but there’s no doubt that grouse and waders saw the benefit too.
Here in the wet west of the country, we only have limited options to light a fire on the hill. When I speak to gamekeepers in drier parts of the country, I envy the options they have to cover ground. They can burn into the autumn, and there are always days in February when a fire becomes possible.
On my ground, it’s hopeless to think of burning in the autumn when the vegetation lies soggy and sappy for weeks at a time. You can do more harm than good by trying to burn in those conditions, and our only hope comes when the wind swings around to the east in spring. That’s…
