A fungus that grows in places damaged by fire has been found at the site of a major wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park.
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) said the bright orange, pyrophilous (fire-loving) fungus could be the first sign of nature’s recovery at Glenmore near Aviemore.
A wildfire started in the area on 15 July and the incident, which has burned through thousands of acres of woodland and moor, continues to be monitored for hotspots.
FLS said the fungus was among the “first colonisers” of burned ground and played a role in breaking down carbon and preventing soil erosion.
