Restoration Projects Underway

Developing our approach through the restoration of two Peatland ACTION supported projects commencing late summer 2024.

©Joyce Campbell

Pilot 1 - Hill Farm

Restoration footprint of around 880 ha. Part of a wider farmer-led transition to regenerative agriculture. Restoration involves mainly blocking and reprofiling of artificial drains using peat dams, with an element of gully blocking with peat surface bunds and hagg reprofiling. Restoration to be delivered in two phases ~600 ha from Aug 2024 to Jan 2025 and 280 ha from Aug 2025 to Nov 2025.

Lorne Gill

Pilot 2 - Farming and Sporting Estate

Restoration footprint of around ~410 ha. Building on a track-record of restoration activities in the wider estate. Restoration involves blocking and reprofiling of artificial drains using peat dams, with a significant portion of gully blocking with peat (or peat mineral) surface bunds, a small amount of hagg reprofiling, and some microerosion repair. Single phase of restoration, to be delivered between Sep 2024 and Feb 2025.

The team has taken these projects right through inception, scoping, planning, contractor tendering, pre-restoration validation and Peatland ACTION application.

For both projects, the main restoration activity is blocking and reprofiling of artificial drains from 1950s using dams made from the peat itself. This is a well-proven and robust solution and will be delivered by a local contractor base which has solid competence, and includes industry pioneers in this type of work.