Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands SPA - CABB

The project was launched in 2017 and objectives for Muirkirk and North Lowther include peatland restoration on both RSPB managed land (Airds Moss) and privately-owned land, habitat management and demonstration on RSPB managed land and advisory to upland land managers.

This is an upland site with the majority of the SPA privately managed for agriculture, typically sheep grazing.  Large sections of the moorland are SNH Priority 1 peatland of national importance and over 70% of the SPA blanket bog has been modified through gripping or erosion. 

We aim to restore forested peatland at RSPB Airds Moss, and in partnership with farmers land managers, peatland on estates and farms.

In 2017 we commenced peatland vegetation habitat management at Airds Moss.

Two of our key partners are CEI (East Ayrshire Coalfield Environment Initiative) and Mine Restoration Ltd., and we are bulding partnerships and working agreements with estates and tenant farmers who have ground within the SPA.