A FUNDRAISER has been started to reward firefighters battling wildfires on a Scottish island.
The Isle of Bute has seen fires ravage the north end of the 15-mile-long island, and locals have raised more than £450 to "buy them a pint".
The latest update from Police Scotland said the main road at the north of the island was closed as they continued to tackle the wildfire.
A helicopter was deployed to tackle the blaze during the week, after reports of a fire that was affecting an area of grass measuring approximately one square mile.
Police Scotland issued a statement, stating: "Around 11.40am on Saturday, April 12, 2025, we were made aware of a wildfire in the northern area of the Isle of Bute at the Rhubodach Loop, just off the A886.
"The incident is ongoing and the area is closed.
"Members of the public are advised to avoid the area and stay away from the footpaths until further notice."
Islander Paul McTaggart posted the fundraiser in the community Facebook page, writing: "Whilst many of us have been enjoying the exceptional weather, our local firefighters have been fighting fires on our beautiful island. The conditions are [three fire emojis] and they have been working around the clock to protect our environment.
"To say 'thank you' on behalf of the community for their efforts, and more importantly quench some of that thirst they will be working up in the heat, you can 'Buy Them a Pint', one or two."
Wildfires on neighbouring island Arran continue to burn on Saturday morning, with the Arran Mountain Rescue Team issuing an update for Glen Rosa.
The team said: Pockets of fire continue to burn and we would ask walkers planning on taking to the Arran hills today to choose routes that avoid Glen Rosa and Goatfell.
"Several team members have been assisting Scottish Fire and Rescue, National Trust, estate workers and skilled volunteers with access to the wild fire which has swept through Goatfell and Glen Rosa since Thursday afternoon."
Fire chiefs are calling on people to act responsibly after an “extreme” wildfire warning was issued for the whole of Scotland.
Michael Humphreys, the national wildfire lead for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), made the plea as the warning covering Friday and Saturday came into effect.
Scotland's wildfire latest
A wildfire in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, was extinguished at 8.30am on Saturday after igniting on Thursday, with a fire engine being sent back to the scene to ensure it has not reignited, according to a spokesperson for SFRS.
A spokesperson said: “The Cumbernauld one has been extinguished.
“We are sending an appliance now to make sure it has not reignited.
“At 8.30am they left the incident.
“We are going back to make sure (there) is not (a) fire.
“The Arran fire has still got an appliance there, there’s a helicopter which will be attending.”
A wildfire on the Pentlands hills, near Edinburgh, was extinguished at 10.35pm on Friday.
A spokesperson for SFRS said: “We left last night around 10.35pm, three appliances attended it.”
A fire in Acharacle, Highlands, has been burning for two days, with two fire crews at the scene, a spokesperson added.
