Following the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill, which made it compulsory for all muirburn in Scotland to be licensed (and for all practitioners to undertake training), it was expected that the new provisions would be in place for the start of the 2025/26 season.
However, given the extent of the preparatory work required (and potential expense) for landowners/managers to undertake peat probing, it has been decided that the new provisions will come into force on the first day of 2026.
Work on peat probing can commence this summer and Autumn (for guidance on how this should be done, see link below) and NatureScot will make its online licence application system live this summer on its website, when ready.
The SGA and other rural stakeholders argued, after taking legal advice, that a licensing start date of 15th September was inappropriate and did not allow sufficient time to undertake the considerable work which will have to be done to accompany applications for peatlands.
That point has been taken on board and work will continue with stakeholders to develop the new Muirburn Code, which will anchor the scheme, and the licensing provisions.
For Guidance, to date, visit the NatureScot website: https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/protected-areas-and-species/licensing/muirburn-licensing
This explains what landowners/managers will have to do to apply for a licence and how to undertake peat depth measurements.
