Instead, it will remain the current start date of 1st October and, as a result of recent developments, will mean a shorter burning season this year at the back end.
It was expected that the new start date of 15th September would apply to this season following changes brought about by the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill.
However, as members were informed this week, the new Muirburn Licensing scheme, another product of the new Bill, will not now come into place until January 1st 2026.
This is to allow trained landowners and land managers to do the necessary work on peat depth probing for licence applications which may apply to peatlands.
As a result of this switch, the changes to the Hill Farming Act, which would have enacted the new season dates, have not yet been commenced.
For gamekeepers, farmers and crofters seeking to make muirburn this season, it means the current season start applies again for 2025/2026, which is 1st October 2025.
However, it will end on the new end date of 31st March 2026 (as the changes would have been enacted by then).
This effectively will mean a shorter burning season as the current end date is 15th April.
The culmination of all the changes could see land managers stretched to get effective muirburning done, particularly if weather and conditions are unkind.
From the 2026/27 season onwards, the new season dates will apply: 15th September to 31st March.
