Scotland is celebrating a record-breaking year for restoring its vital peatlands, with more than 14,000 hectares brought back to life over the past year.
This milestone means the country remains firmly on track to meet its ambitious interim target, set as part of a wider national commitment to tackle climate change and protect natural habitats.
Peatlands, those rich, waterlogged landscapes, are home to a wealth of biodiversity.
They also play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by filtering water and helping to prevent flooding.
Scotland holds around two million hectares of peatland, accounting for two-thirds of the UK’s total.
Yet almost three-quarters of this is in a degraded state, which releases harmful carbon emissions and threatens fragile ecosystems.
Recognising this, the Scottish Government has pledged £250 million to restore 250,000 hectares of peatland by 2030.
The interim goal is to reach 110,000 hectares by 2026.
So far, 90,000 hectares have been restored since work began in 1990.
Of this, a remarkable 14,860 hectares were restored in the 2024-25 financial year alone, setting a new annual record.
Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie marked World Peatlands Day by praising the progress.
“I am very pleased to report that Scotland’s Peatland ACTION partnership restored nearly 15,000 hectares of degraded peatland last year,” he said.
“This is a record for one year and a huge boost for our environment.
“It reduces emissions, lowers the risks of flooding and wildfires, improves water quality and creates green jobs in rural communities.”
The minister also highlighted that the figures surpass the Scottish Government’s 2024 Programme for Government target, representing a 42 percent increase on the previous year’s results.
“I want to thank all of our partners for their commitment and determination in achieving this milestone,” he added.
NatureScot, a key partner in the restoration programme, facilitated 65 percent of the work completed over the past year.
Nick Halfhide, NatureScot’s Interim Chief Executive, said restoring peatlands is vital to addressing both the climate crisis and the loss of nature.
“This work makes a hugely important contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while also delivering wider benefits for biodiversity and water quality,” he said.
Forestry and Land Scotland, another leading partner, restored 1,744 hectares last year, surpassing its annual target of 1,500 hectares.
Kevin Quinlan, its Chief Executive, said every site restored adds to a growing national effort.
“We are proud to support the Scottish Government’s commitment to restoring 250,000 hectares of peatlands by 2030,” he said.
“Each project brings us closer to transforming one of Scotland’s most degraded ecosystems into a healthier and more resilient landscape.”
With momentum building, Scotland’s peatlands are slowly but surely being brought back to life.
