GAMEKEEPERS have spoken out in defence of muirburn – and the shooting industry that uses it – following what they described as an online 'smear' campaign by Revive, a recently established pressure group dedicated to 'grouse moor reform'.

Footage of normal muirburn activity was uploaded online alongside commentary suggesting that the practice was 'environmental vandalism' conducted solely for the benefit of grouse moor businesses, at the expense of other wildlife and to the detriment of carbon-capturing peatland.

Revive campaigner, Max Wiszniewski, said that the public would be shocked to know that 'vast swathes' of Scotland's uplands were regularly set ablaze 'all for the single purpose of protecting grouse which will subsequently be shot for entertainment'.

He was backed by Friends of the Earth Scotland director, Dr Richard Dixon, who claimed that damaging peat bogs by burning could cause carbon to be released into the atmosphere: “We’re growing increasingly concerned about the extent and intensity of burning on grouse moors. Urgent action is needed to reduce Scottish climate emissions and lock stored carbon into our environment. The Scottish Government must put in place plans to reverse the damaging environmental effects of moorland burning and protect our peatlands as the huge natural treasure they are.”

Scottish Green MSP, Andy Wightman also backed the Revive campaign, saying. “Muir-burning is an outdated and environmentally destructive activity that has little justification,” he said.

A ppokesman for The Scottish Gamekeepers Association responded: “This is another orchestrated attempt by a group desperately seeking legitimacy to smear legal management activity; an activity, in this case, which has been scientifically proven to provide many benefits for red grouse, black grouse, deer and sheep and to prevent more devastating moorland wildfires like the recent one at Saddleworth, through the creation of vital fire-breaks.

“Last week this group made unsubstantiated claims about numbers of missing raptors. This week it is an attempt to manufacture an emotive message out of legal moorland habitat management," said the SGA.

“Their ultimate aim is to ban grouse shooting and to put rural working families on the dole so we are not surprised at all by the extreme tactics. Their films simply show well managed, legal muirburn."

Landowners' body Scottish Land and Estates issued a statement regarding muirburn in the Cairngorms, where Revive's footage was allegedly obtained.

“Muirburn is the traditional way to manage moorland and has been practised for centuries, resulting in the Scotland’s renowned purple heather landscape," said SLE's Tim Baynes. "Muirburn is strictly regulated, and the benefits of muirburn are recognised by the government, its agencies as well as those who manage land.

“At this time of year, old moorland vegetation is burnt off to enable fresh heather to grow. The mosaic habitat resulting from muirburn has also given us an extraordinary suite of rare birds and mammals which is the envy of other countries. Carrying out muirburn is vital for upland biodiversity," he maintained.

"Muirburn is very visible, and the amount of smoke from small fires can be deceptive. The public should not be alarmed by the sight of smoke on the hills and there is a very clear code of practice that clearly states that all burning should be carried out carefully and responsibly. It is important that when muirburn is called into question that there is clarity over the exact circumstances, rather than simply saying that fire on a hill is wrong and should be stopped.

“Recent research shows that careful muirburn has minimal impact on the peat layer below and can actually be beneficial because the charcoal formed by burning is a stable form of carbon storage, helping to prevent it being released into the atmosphere,” he added.