Landscape of globally rare habitat restored near Loch Ness in one of first and largest projects of its kind in Scotland - Rewilding Affric Highlands

In one of the first and biggest projects of its kind in Scotland, a landscape of more than 1,000 hectares of a globally rare and threatened habitat is being restored near Loch Ness, as part of Britain’s largest rewilding initiative.

A partnership of charities, landowners and businesses has joined together to save and repair a connected area of blanket bog – among the world’s rarest habitats – across three neighbouring and diverse landholdings.

It has been facilitated by charity Rewilding Affric Highlands, which coordinates a growing partnership of landowners which forms the Affric Highlands landscape. Peatland restoration consultancy Caledonian Climate is providing expert advice and support.

The 1,024 hectare-initative is being carried out across rewilding charity Trees for Life’s Dundreggan estate, the privately owned Hilton Guisachan, and Corrimony Farm.

“This is about restoring a whole ecosystem at a landscape scale, and a shared commitment to tackling the nature and climate emergencies and benefitting local communities,” said Stephanie Kiel, Rewilding Affric Highlands executive director.

Healthy peatlands play a vital role in storing carbon and are one of the most efficient carbon sinks on Earth. They also reduce flood and wildfire risk by regulating water movement, filter and clean water, and are crucial habitats for a unique range of wildlife and plants.

Scotland contains 13% of the world’s blanket bog – a type of peatland found in only a few parts of the world with cool, wet or oceanic climates. But 80% of the country’s peatlands are degraded, for reasons including drainage, extraction for fuel, overgrazing, and wildfires.