Scene of Scotland's largest-ever wildfire turns snowy white with cottongrass blossoms

The scene of Scotland’s largest ever wildfire has turned snowy white after cottongrass emerged from the scorched earth.

The wildfire ravaged an area the size of 10,500 football pitches after it ignited on June 28, burning for days.

Thousands of animals were killed in the wildfire, which damaged around 7,500 hectares.

Highlands & Islands

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Several road closures remain in place, and members of the public have been urged to avoid travelling to the areas impacted.

Extensive resources, manpower and expertise were contributed by at least 33 businesses, including 27 estates during the wildfire, assisting firefighting crews from Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Highlands.

Almost one year on from the blaze, peat areas have now blossomed with cottongrass, carpeting the area with snowy-white blooms.

The hardy sedge is found in wet peatlands and moorlands, and thanks to its dense root networks, buds are often shielded underground from fire.

When the flames die down, cottongrass sprouts quickly from its surviving stems, while the flames clear away competing vegetation like heather.

The resulting ash acts as a fertitilizer, creating an influx of available nitrogen in the soil.

Increased sunlight due to burned away brush and canopies allows sun-loving cottongrass to absorb maximum light, which triggers accelerated growth and flowering.

As a result, cottongrass often dominates in post-fire landscapes.