Police Scotland has issued a public appeal for information as they seek to determine the cause of a significant fire at Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. Firefighters responded to the scene on Monday shortly before 7pm to combat a large grass fire near the iconic Scottish landmark.
Emergency services are still working to establish the origin of the blaze, which continues to be tackled by fire crews. No injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.
Fire Service Urges Caution
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has called on the public to enjoy the sunny weather responsibly to minimise the risk of wildfires. Area Commander David Dourley, local senior officer for Edinburgh, stated: “At 6.50pm on Monday, we were alerted to reports of a large grass fire on Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. Firefighters are continuing to work to fully extinguish the fire.”
He added: “We know many people will be wanting to enjoy the good weather, but we ask they do so responsibly. Wildfires have the potential to destroy property, landscapes and wildlife, which is why it is so important that members of the public use extreme caution under these conditions. Please avoid lighting outdoor fires and be mindful that one spark can spread rapidly, causing a large amount of damage. If you spot an outdoor fire, please report it immediately by calling 999, providing your location, and any other relevant information so we can respond quickly.”
Police Appeal for Witnesses
Police Scotland’s local area commander, Alison MacDonald, said: “We know that the area around Arthur’s Seat was busy last night due to the good weather and would ask that anyone with any information surrounding the cause of the fire come forward and speak with officers. Anyone with information should call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2975 of May 25, 2026. As the good weather continues, we will continue to work with our partner agencies and would encourage members of the public to stay safe and behave responsibly.”
Jamie Hamilton, senior ranger at Holyrood Park, commented: “We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to the emergency services for their quick response to this incident and would encourage anyone with any further information to come forward. We know that people are keen to enjoy the good weather but would ask them to remain vigilant and not to use any form of naked flame within the parameters of the park, dispose of rubbish properly, and to report anything of concern immediately. The High Road within the park has been closed to vehicles, and we would ask visitors to continue to follow guidance from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and avoid the affected areas.”
