Xander McDade

It has been devastating to watch the destruction of the Cairngorms by the wildfire. Beyond the huge loss of nature is the real risk to hundreds of residents and their homes and businesses. There are huge efforts going on by those on the ground including fire crews, estate workers and volunteers to try and put out the fire but they have effectively been doing so with one hand tied behind their back. There has been a bizarre determination to insist that the fire was contained and there was no need for aerial support in the early days of the fire when it would’ve made the biggest impact and latterly a reluctance to declare a major incident. My thoughts are with all the residents and businesses who were evacuated last week and are currently being evacuated and I hope they get the answers they deserve about how this incident has been handled. It is beyond time for the Government to throw all available resources at this fire to save as much of the Cairngorms as possible.

**UPDATE at 20:20 on 24 July

Police Scotland has declared a major incident in relation to the ongoing wildfire. All residents of Nethy Bridge are being evacuated to allow emergency services to continue their operational response safely and effectively.

• All evacuated residents should make their way to the MacDonald Aviemore Resort where a Rest Centre has been established for people to register their contact details.

• An evacuation assembly point is in the process of being put in place at Nethy Bridge Community Centre, where Highland Council bus transport will be provided if people need support to get to the Rest Centre at MacDonald Aviemore Resort.

• Access roads into Nethy Bridge have been closed.

• If possible, evacuated residents should try to stay with friends or family in the first instance.

• If any residents are in difficulty, support and advice is available at the Rest Centre.

We know that this will of course be of deep concern to people in the village and surrounding areas. Authorities are prepared, and working together to ensure the safe evacuation of the area. Please follow all advice, and we will update you when we know more.

More details: https://www.scotland.police.uk/what-s-happening/news/2026/july/police-scotland-declares-major-incident-as-emergency-services-respond-to-wildfire-near-nethy-bridge/ The Highland Council

There is a community drop-in event this evening about the proposals for the Pitlochry Community Campus. This is an £8.7m refurbishment and extension by Perth & Kinross Council of Pitlochry High School with the creation of new community library and sports facilities. Please come along and see the proposed plans and ask any questions you might have about the project. 17:30-20:00 at Pitlochry High School.

A community drop-in event is taking place to give local residents the opportunity to view plans for the proposed project at Pitlochry High School. The plans include the provision of a 4-court sports hall, fitness suite and community library along with targetted upgrades to the existing secondary school.

Members of the project team will be there to talk through the proposals, answer questions and hear your feedback.

The event will be held at Pitlochry High School on 25 June 2026 from 5.30pm to 8pm. There is no need to book and attendees can drop in at any time.

This is a really positive development for the pupils of both our secondary schools in Highland Perthshire and will help ensure that pupils continue to benefit from a broad range of curriculum options.

It has been great to see so much positivity within the community about the Pitlochry UK Town of Culture 2028 Bid. Huge thanks to Pitlochry Community Action Trust - PCAT, Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Perth and Kinross Council for coming together and helping lead the bid on behalf of the community.

Working with our community and in collaboration with Perth and Kinross Council and Pitlochry Festival Theatre, PCAT has submitted Pitlochry’s application to become the !

Thank you SO much to everyone who took the time to contribute 🙌🙌 We’ve had people of all ages and from all walks of life engaging with the application process and putting forward ideas and suggestions that have been included in the submission.

This is a wonderful opportunity, and we know there’s some serious competition out there but Pitlochry has a great story to tell and we want to share it with the world!

Please be aware the Pitlochry Public Toilets will be closed for essential maintenance on Tuesday 31st March.

Please note Pitlochry Public Toilets will be closed on Tuesday 31 March for essential maintenance.

Important update on the Loch Tay diesel spill.

Update on Loch Tay diesel spill.

Following the diesel spill incident near Killin, clean-up activities are in place, led by SEPA and Scottish Water.

There is evidence of some contamination in Loch Tay which may be travelling downstream into the River Tay.

Scottish Water has taken precautionary measures to safeguard the public drinking water supply in Peth and Kinross and continues to monitor the situation.

If your property uses a private water supply that abstracts water from Loch Tay or the River Tay, please report any suspected contamination of your water to Scottish Water on 0800 0778 778.

As a precaution it is advised not to enter the water in Loch Tay or the River Tay in the Highland Perthshire or Stirling Council areas, or allow pets to enter the water, at this time.

We will provide any further updates when they become available.

Please note Scottish Water’s information and support point remains open at McLaren Hall, Main Street, Killin, FK21 8TN, and their customer support staff can be contacted on 0800 0778 778 for any queries.

Curling is such an important part of our sporting history here in Perthshire so it is vital we protect it for future generations. It is time for the Council to rethink its approach to ice sports.

Provost hopes Team GB curling final encourages council 'rethink' over Dewars Centre in Perth The ice rink was not included in the local authority's controversial plan for a new PH2O leisure facility at Thimblerow.

Update - Glenlyon Primary School is open as normal today, Thursday 8 January 2026.

Should any schools be closed today, details will be available on our website at www.pkc.gov.uk/schoolclosures.

Wishing everyone across Perth & Kinross a very Happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous 2026!