Convener welcomes funding to support Cairngorms businesses

7th August 2026

The Scottish Government has confirmed a £3 million fund to support businesses affected by the Cairngorms wildfire.
The funding package was announced today by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Tourism, Stephen Flynn, during a visit to Glenmore.

Highland Council Convener and local member for Badenoch and Strathspey, Cllr Bill Lobban, said: “I welcome the Scottish Government’s announcement today, which will bring some much-needed initial relief to businesses affected by this devastating wildfire.

"However, I remain concerned that this initial sum of £3 million may not be sufficient to help our area recover from this catastrophic wildfire. The environmental damage and the long term economic impact will take a huge combined effort to recover from. We are now into the fourth week of this incident, which has caused significant disruption during one of the busiest periods of the tourist season.

“Businesses within the Glenmore area have been particularly hard hit, and have been unable to trade, but the impact has also been felt across the wider Badenoch and Strathspey area.

“This initial funding is an important first step in helping our businesses and community recover, and comes alongside welcome news that the Glenmore area will be able to reopen tomorrow, allowing businesses to start to get back to some kind of normality.

"We have received assurances from the Scottish Government that they will engage with us should the support needs of businesses exceed the £3 million announced today. The Government has also committed to continuing to work closely with partners on what further support will, inevitably, to my mind, be required for the area in the longer term.

“Our priority now is to get the support to businesses as quickly as possible. We will continue working closely with the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Cairngorms National Park Authority, and the Cairngorms Business Partnership, to understand what further support may be needed in the months ahead.

“Importantly, we need to get the message out that the Cairngorms is open for business and encourage people to return and visit this amazing area."

The Convener, Council Leader, and Leader of the Opposition wrote to the First Minister, Deputy First Minister, and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Tourism last week to highlight the significant impact the wildfire was having on local businesses and to seek recovery support.

The fund will be administered by the Council with a focus on helping businesses recover from the impact of the wildfire, maintain business continuity and support longer-term recovery.

Full details of how to apply will be released in the coming days.

 

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