Joyce Campbell, co-owner of Armadale Farm in Sutherland, shares her journey of peatland restoration in our unique Flow Country World Heritage Site.
In the middle of October, Caithness groundworks specialists John Mackay Ltd demobilised their diggers from Armadale hill for the last time. We will miss them. They have been great folk to have around the place and have done an excellent job. It’s not work for the faint-hearted.
Those unfamiliar with peatland restoration might be surprised to learn that it involves felling trees and blocking drains. Government grants in the ‘60s to ‘80s encouraged landowners to plant non-native conifers, a process that involved ploughing and draining the peatlands. We now understand the damage this process caused to the peat bog and its ecosystem. While the Flow Country is the most intact peat bog of its kind in the world, there are still vast areas in need of expert restoration.
Thankfully, there are no trees to bog on Armadale, and work here has focused on draining block, zippering and reprofiling the hill drains, and restoring the hags. This is skilled work carried out by the digger operators to stabilise areas of bare, exposed peat and encourage future plant and heather growth.
Expert team
This work started at the end of February 2024 and was undertaken in three phases outwith the bird breeding season. The area of restored peatland covers around 1100 ha of hill, with 245 km of hill drains being blocked.
We have received brilliant support, funding and advice on this work from Peatland Action, The Flow Country Partnership and SSE Renewables. They have walked many miles on Armadale hill undertaking surveys, planning and peat depth probing. Their passion, knowledge and enthusiasm is infectious. When I wobbled in the early stages, they were all there to support me.
The leadership and honesty of the team at The Flow Country Partnership has given us the reassurance to keep pushing on with what we believe in, while SSE Renewables were on-hand with advice and support.
Finally, Jodie and Gus Forbes’ expertise in deer management have helped protect the restoration work and have taken Armadale Gorge SSSI from failing into recovery.
This is one of the many strengths of our part of the world – the spirit of collaboration that picks up projects in their infancy and pulls together to deliver. Organisations like Focus North were built on this principle and continue to have a ripple effect far beyond our geographical boundaries.
Connections to nature and community
Yet, there are many critics of the work we have done. Change is challenging – I know that feeling only too well. All I can say is that the land, birds and nature are already showing a positive response to all our efforts.
By reprofiling the drains, we have reduced ‘black loss’ – unaccounted losses of sheep on open hill and moors. By raising the water table, we create a wetter hill and a cooler burn, reducing the effects of potential wildfires burning into the peat. By slowing the flow of water off the hill and covering bare ground, there’s less peat being washed down the burns when in spate with a flood.
Take a moment to think about the land-based jobs, mechanics, research and skills this work supports. Their families and the communities that their salaries depend upon.
For us, this work has been life changing. It’s given us a fresh perspective. It’s easier to work with folk than argue with them. Everyone is trying their best and sometimes we just need a little understanding of each other’s challenges for change to happen.
It’s been an emotional journey. All our connections to the land and nature are strong.
- In 2024, Focus North teamed up with NatureScot and UHI North, West and Hebrides to deliver peatland restoration training for local contractors. ‘For Peat’s Sake’ was a five-day course targeted at sole traders and SMEs in the North Highlands, offering a combination of classroom based learning hands-on experience at RSPB Forsinard. Our partners are actively exploring follow-up opportunities, so if you believe a career in restoration could suit you, drop us a line!