Edinburgh’s dormant volcano ablaze; experts warn
climate change may fuel more fires in Scotland.
Edinburgh, Scotland — A large wildfire broke out
Sunday afternoon on Arthur’s Seat, the city’s iconic dormant volcano, scorching
shrubland and sending thick plumes of smoke across the skyline. Authorities say
the blaze, which began around 4:05 p.m. local time, continues to burn amid
unusually dry weather.
Arthur’s Seat, a 251-meter (823-foot) high landmark
in Holyrood Park, is one of Scotland’s most visited natural attractions. On
Sunday, it became the site of a fast-moving wildfire that prompted emergency
responses and public safety warnings.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that
a “large area” of vegetation was affected. No casualties have been reported,
but crews battled the blaze for several hours and were still working into the
night.
Video shared on social media captured dramatic
images of orange flames crawling up the hillside while dark smoke drifted
toward Edinburgh’s historic city center. The fire’s glow was visible from miles
away.
Chris Murray, a Member of the Scottish Parliament
representing the area, urged residents and visitors to “please take care” and
avoid the vicinity until firefighters had the situation under control.
Police Scotland advised both motorists and
pedestrians to steer clear of the area, with traffic diversions set up to
prevent congestion around Holyrood Park.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Authorities have not ruled out human activity, whether accidental or
deliberate, as a possible factor.
Arthur’s Seat is not just a tourist hotspot but a
site of historical importance. The slopes host the remains of a nearly
2,000-year-old fort, as well as St. Anthony’s Chapel, a 15th-century ruin.
Its proximity to the Scottish Parliament and the
Palace of Holyroodhouse, King Charles III’s official Edinburgh residence, adds
to its prominence and public interest.
This is not the first time the dormant volcano has
caught fire. Previous blazes were reported in 2022, 2020, and 2019, though none
matched the intensity of Sunday’s incident.
Experts point to Scotland’s exceptionally dry
conditions in 2025 — the driest start to a year since 1964 — as a potential
catalyst for more frequent wildfires.
In May, Scottish Water appealed to the public to
conserve water, citing low reservoir levels and prolonged lack of rainfall
across the country.
Climate scientists warn that warming temperatures
and shifting rainfall patterns could make fires like the one on Arthur’s Seat
more common in the coming decades.
Tourism officials have stressed that Holyrood Park
will reopen only when it is safe to do so, but the fire is expected to leave
visible scars on the hillside for months.
Local businesses that depend on foot traffic from
hikers and tourists expressed concern about potential economic impacts if the
area remains closed for an extended period.
Environmental groups have also called for stronger
wildfire prevention measures, including seasonal restrictions on barbecues and
open flames in vulnerable parks.
As night fell on Edinburgh, the smell of smoke
lingered in the air, a stark reminder that even Scotland’s greenest landscapes
are not immune to the threats of a changing climate.