A helicopter has been deployed and fire crews remain on standby to guard properties as wildfires continue in the Highlands.

Crews are holding a watching brief over a significant fire in the hills north of Gairloch, on the north-west coast, to ensure no properties are at risk.

The helicopter was deployed yesterday afternoon to help crews with a second significant fire in Kishorn, just north of the Isle of Skye, and five fire engines were sent to prevent a fire spreading to a forest near Achmore.

Smaller wildfires are still burning in Golspie, in the far north, and on the Western Isles and Skye.

A large fire near Fort William, which former Liberal Democrat leader and local MP Charles Kennedy described as unprecedented, has been extinguished.

Fires in Morar, near Mallaig, and in Glenfinnan and Lochinver have also been brought under control.

A fire service spokesman said: "Whilst much of the country has been affected by wintry conditions, the west coast of the Highlands, Skye and the Western Isles have experienced cold but unseasonably dry conditions which have been a factor in the number of wildfire incidents.

"Operational crews continue to work tirelessly under arduous conditions to bring these wildfires under control and ensure the safety of the local communities. This is testament to the commitment and professionalism of all staff of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in the Highland and Island areas, as well as ongoing support from landowners and members of the local communities.

"A significant number of appliance movements have been required to attend these incidents, support crews and ensure regular relief is given to those fighting fires, which has been managed exceptionally by operations control in Inverness.

"We would again like to thank local employers who have released our retained and community response crew members to deal with the incidents and maintain the safety of our local communities."

Meanwhile, Mr Kennedy paid tribute to the firefighters who extinguished the biggest blaze seen in the hills around Fort William in living memory

The politician's croft is less than a mile from where the blaze raged and he said he had never seen anything like it.

At one point it stretched for about three miles, covering an area of 1600 acres 650 hectares, near the B8004 Banavie to Gairlochy road.

At its height, 45 firefighters with eight appliances were involved and the flames appeared to be heading towards houses, but in the end there was no need for any to be evacuated.

Mr Kennedy said: "I have never witnessed anything quite on the scale of yesterday's massive hill fire above Banavie and Corpach. If the initial reports are confirmed, then it is miraculous that there was no significant loss of property – far less worse. Looking out the back window this morning it is amazing so little damage appears to have been done to the likes of power lines which seem to have remained intact."

He said the spate of such fires recently across the Highlands acted as a timely warning.

He added: "It makes us all profoundly grateful for the professional expertise and courage of our firefighters and the other emergency services. We are indebted to them all."

Local SNP councillor Bill Clarke said: "I couldn't believe my eyes. Over the years I have seen burnings on the Rannoch Moor and elsewhere but never have I seen or witnessed wildfire like the one I witnessed last night.

"It was ideal weather for burning, there's no doubt about that, but last night it looked completely out of control."

It was the worst of more than 80 wildfires of differing sizes in the last four days in the Highlands and islands.