Wildfire probe plea to people seen with deck chairs

Police investigating a Highland wildfire are trying to trace people who were seen with deck chairs and fishing rods near to where the blaze started.

Emergency services were called to the fire in the area around Loch Allan, north of Dava, on Saturday 28 June.

Officers said their inquiries suggested the incident may have started south-east of the loch, and north of the A939.

Police said they would also like to speak to a woman who assisted the first fire crew at the scene.

Det Insp Andy Bilton said no-one was injured in the incident, but a large swathe of countryside was badly affected.

He said: "We received a report that people with deck chairs and fishing rods were seen in the area around the time the Loch Allan fire broke out, and we are keen to speak to them as they may have information that could assist with our inquiries.

"We would ask them to come forward and speak with officers."

The detective added: "We would also like to speak to a woman who assisted the first attending fire crew at Loch Allan by pointing out where the fire appeared to have started.

"Her information could be important, and we would urge her to get in touch."

Police Scotland said its investigations into a separate wildfire near Carrbridge had found there was no criminality involved.

The fire was discovered on Friday 20 June and re-ignited several times over 11 days before being fully extinguished.