Peatland restoration projects in the Cairngorms National Park

October 20, 2017

Following several months of intense project development, six projects are about to start at the end of October in the Cairngorms National Park.

This autumn and early winter (if the weather holds!) work will start on restoring 532 hectares of degraded blanket bog, all on upland sites extending from 500 metres to 875 metres. The work is targeting eroded gullies, peat hags and areas of bare peat along with a small amount of moorland grips. The presence of Golden eagles on a number of sites is one of many issues that have required careful planning and discussion.

With financial support from Peatland Action, there are five estates involved: Invercauld (photo ofl eft), Glenfeshie (photo on right), Mar, Candacraig and Abernethy as well as a number of sporting tenants. Contractors have been appointed for three of the projects and we are hoping to finalise work for the other three. There is unprecedented interest in peatland restoration now in the National Park. Mapping degraded peatland habitats using aerial photography has identified over 35,000 hectares of work on just 10 estates, with an estimated 60,000 hectares still to map. Stephen Corcoran, the Peatland Action Project Officer, has no shortage of potential projects!

Invercauld Project Site - Credit Stephen CorcoranGlenfeshie Estate - Credit Stephen Corcoran

Peat compost B&Q
The Wildlife Trusts unveil Peat-free Gardening Guide The Wildlife Trusts have unveiled a new handbook to help people go peat-free in their gardens and…
Restoration Risley Moss. Photo credit: Paul Thomas
Natural England launches peatland ‘toolbox talk’ on recognising archaeology during restorationNatural England worked with Wessex Archaeology to create a historic environment peatland ‘toolbox…
Ugie Peatland Partnership and Beam Suntory Landowner event
Ugie Peatland Partnership and Beam Suntory Landowner eventIn February 2023, RSPB as part of the Ugie Peatland Partnership, hosted an event, co-organised and…
Buchan Bog Buddies
Buchan Bog Buddies The RSPB and Aberdeenshire Rangers have been working with P6/P7 classes at New Pitsligo and…
Global Peatlands Initiative
Global Peatlands Initiative project: State of the Worlds Peatlands On the 17th of November 2022, at the UNFCCC COP27 in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt, the Global Peatlands…
Area of Dartmoor undergoing restoration methods, January 2023
South West Peatland Partnership: Counting sheep to help restore peat across the UK's South WestPeatland restoration isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It takes a range of innovative techniques…
Birchinlee (c) Moors for the Future Partnership
Moors for the Future Partnership releases series of scientific and monitoring reports from MoorLIFE 2020 projectIn September 2022, MoorLIFE 2020, the landmark project which had been the focus of much of the work…
Sphagnum moss regrowth rewards the peatland restoration action undertaken by NPAP at Tywi Forest
Wales Peatland Action By mid-2022 National Peatland Action Programme (NPAP) could reflect on a successful initial two…
Cuilcagh Mountain after restoration work
Ulster Wildlife webinar: Lessons learned: 20+ years on from blanket bog restoration at Cuilcagh MountainJoin Ulster Wildlife, RPS Ireland and the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark to discuss what…
Peatland code version 2.0
Launch of the Peatland Code Version 2.0The IUCN UK Peatland Programme has today launched a new and highly anticipated update to the…
Molinia, Peatlands and Climate Transition Workshop
Save the Date: Molinia, Peatlands and Climate Transition Workshop’Hosted by National Trust Marsden Moor, the ‘Molinia, Peatlands and Climate Transition Workshop’…
Demonstrating Success cover art
Peat-free Horticulture Addendum: Further case studies released This addendum to the IUCN UK Peatland Programme's 'Demonstrating Success - Peat-free Horticulture'…