Muirburn licensing
https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/protected-areas-and-species/licensing/muirburn-licensing
From 15 September 2026, a licence will be required to carry out muirburn on any land in Scotland.
In 2024, new legislation for muirburn was introduced by the Wildlife Management & Muirburn (Scotland) Act.
From 15 September 2026, it will become an offence to carry out muirburn in Scotland without a licence.
The aim of the licence is to help ensure that muirburn is carried out safely and appropriately.
Applications are now open in advance of the legislation coming into effect.
This video provides a summary for applicants:
Duration
02:53
A short video explainer for applicants, detailing the process for the new muirburn licence. The licence is expected to be introduced in Autumn 2026.
Who can apply
The licence holder must be the landowner or occupier. They must have the legal right to muirburn for the duration of the licence.
The licence holder can be an individual or an organisation (a trust, business or partnership).
You can apply on behalf of someone else with their permission.
How to apply
Use our online service to apply for a muirburn licence.
An alternative paper form is available which you can submit by email or post.
Muirburn Code
The Muirburn Code has been updated in collaboration with stakeholders to take account of the new legislation. It outlines how to carry out muirburn safely and appropriately. It is a condition of the licence that you must have regard for the Muirburn Code.
Licensable purposes
There are 12 licensable purposes for which muirburn can be carried out.
For non-peatland, the purposes are:
- managing the habitats of moorland game or wildlife
- improving the grazing potential of moorland for livestock
- conserving, restoring, enhancing or managing the natural environment
- preventing, or reducing the risk of, wildfires causing damage to habitats
- preventing, or reducing the risk of, wildfires causing harm to people or damage to property
- research
- training
For peatland, the purposes are:
- restoring the natural environment
- preventing, or reducing the risk of, wildfires causing damage to habitats
- preventing, or reducing the risk of, wildfires causing harm to people or damage to property
- research
- training
Our muirburn licensing guidance outlines how we will assess applications and what information we expect to receive.
Determining whether the land is or is not peatland
The Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 defines peatland as land with peat layers more than 40cm.
In the licence application, you must specify if the land you are applying for is peatland or not.
To help you do this, we have published an interactive map. This map identifies whether an area is likely to be peatland or not (using available data), and if a survey is needed.
Use this tool to:
- check the classification of area(s) you wish to burn
- download survey points
How the interactive map works
The map classifies land as non-peatland, peatland and uncertain (where peat depth is not known).
It was created using the best information we have available. It uses a combination of existing survey and modelled data from the James Hutton Institute.
The map provides co-ordinates for ‘uncertain areas’ that need to be surveyed if you are applying for a non-peatland licence. This is because we cannot be sure those areas are under 40cm without survey results.
Survey requirements
You only need to provide data for areas you wish to license for a non-peatland purpose.
We have provided a summary below. We recommend you read our survey guidance in full before starting any fieldwork.
If you are applying for a non-peatland purpose
You must:
- survey any ‘uncertain’ areas in a 100m grid
- carry out a walkover survey of any non-peatland areas to confirm the absence of peat
If you are applying for a peatland purpose
You do not need to carry out a survey.
You only need to survey peatland areas if you disagree with the classification (in the interactive map) and want to license that area under a non-peatland purpose.
Those areas should be surveyed in a 100m grid.
Carrying out your survey
Our interactive map will provide you with co-ordinates (.gpx) and a survey template (.xls) for the area you have specified. You can use this data to carry out your survey.
You must type your survey results in the template provided. We cannot accept other formats.
We understand it may take time to carry out peat depth surveys. Licence holders can add survey results over time by requesting a licence amendment. This means you can apply for a smaller area in the first year and submit more data later.
Defining the area to which the licence relates
In the application, you must submit the area(s) of land you wish to muirburn over the course of the licence.
During licence assessment, we will combine the following data:
- the Muirburn Peatland Map 2025 (peat depth classifications), and
- any survey results provided with the application
We will use this data to produce a map which defines the areas licensed for peatland and/or non-peatland purposes.
Training evidence
All those who intend to muirburn must complete the Muirburn Practitioner Foundation Course. Only those who have completed the course can participate in muirburn.
This includes anyone involved in planning, supervising or controlling the burn.
You must provide training evidence for 1 person in the licence application form.
The course is split into an online and practical module. The practical element will be required from 15 September 2026.
Training already undertaken through the Muirburn Foundation course will remain valid.
Supporting documents
You may need to provide some additional information for certain licensable purposes.
Wildfire
You must include 2 documents:
- wildfire risk and mitigation plan (muirburn)
- wildfire map
Download Wildfire risk and mitigation plan (muirburn) template.
Your wildfire map should relate back to the plan document. On the map, you should clearly mark and number the areas of importance. This will help our Licensing team understand which areas your plan document refers to.
Research
You must include a research proposal with your application.
Natural environment
You can upload documents to support your application. For example, you may want to include a restoration plan, map and photographs that show the environment and its condition.
Licence returns
Licence holders must keep a record of:
- how they had regard to the Muirburn Code
- date(s) any muirburn took place
- names and training details of any persons involved in making muirburn
- size of area burnt, number of trainees and training provider for each training event (training purposes only)
Licence returns are due annually by 31 May.
Muirburn season
The standard muirburn season runs from 15 September – 31 March.
Out-of-season muirburn
In exceptional cases, we may license out-of-season muirburn for a specific purpose that couldn’t be achieved by burning in season.
Find out more
Contacts
If you already have a licence number, include it in the subject line of your email, or have it to hand when you call.
You should receive an automatic confirmation email from us if you send an email. If you do not receive this, please phone us on the number below:
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