Fire crews were called out to deal with a wildfire yesterday near the Castle of Mey in Caithness.
Six teams of firefighters tackled the blaze which broke out about three quarters of a mile away from the castle gardens.
The breeze carried the fire away from the late Queen Mother’s former home towards a single track road running between the villages of Barrock and Freswick.
Both the emergency services and local farmers battle to get the fire, which is on the route of the world renowned North Coast 500, under control.
One farmer was out on a field spraying water over a single track road in his slurry spreader to stop the flames heading into a neighbouring area.
Graeme Connelly, a local resident, said: “We went up the road that runs parallel and had to do a U-turn as a fire engine was blocking the road on what is usually a quiet single track. There was a lot of smoke but it appeared to be blowing away from the main road.”
Two appliances from Thurso and two from Wick were joined by single appliances from Helmsdale and John O’Groats. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was reported to the emergency services at 12:42pm.
Hose reel jets and beaters were used by crews tackling the blaze.
Police also arrived at the scene in the afternoon to direct traffic due to smoke from the burning heather drifting on to nearby roads reducing visibility for passing motorists.
A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said no property was damaged and no injuries had been reported. Crews were stood down at 5:35pm.
The village of Mey is best known for its castle and gardens, and was the Highland home of the Queen Mother prior to her death in 2002. The Castle of Mey was the only property the late royal owned.
The castle underwent extensive renovations during her time there and is regularly visited by her grandson Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.
