New by-law bans camp fires and barbecues in Cairngorms

A ban on camp fires and barbecues has been introduced to the UK's largest national park in a bid to reduce the risk of wildfires. Scottish ministers approved the new by-law for the Cairngorms last autumn and it will be in force until 30 September every year. Offenders could be fined £500. Parts of the national park were badly damaged last summer by what landowners described as the biggest wildfire in Scottish history. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), which requested the by-law, said the ban followed an "extensive" public consultation. The national park covers 1,748 sq miles (4,527 sq km) and includes parts of five local authorities - Aberdeenshire, Angus, Highland, Moray and Perth and Kinross. It is home to about 18,000 people and the park has about two million visitors every year. CNPA said it had worked with Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) to prepare for "robust enforcement" of the by-law. It said leaflets, social media messages and signage would be used to help promote the ban which will also be backed up by the power to issue fixed penalty notices. These fines will be a maximum of £500 per offence. CNPA said climate change had incre