Watch how restoring peatland on an East Ayrshire sheep farm is helping both nature and the business’ bottom line.

Peatlands are one of Scotland’s most valuable natural assets: they store vast amounts of carbon, support biodiversity, improve water quality and help reduce flood risk. 

When peatlands are degraded - often through historical drainage, overgrazing, or erosion - they can become a liability for farmers as they can become a source of emissions, erosion and practical challenges on the ground. That’s why more land managers are turning to peatland restoration as part of a sustainable, long-term approach to land use.

On a large upland sheep farm in East Ayrshire, Cora Cooper, a member of the NFFN Scotland Steering Group, and her husband David have restored hundreds of acres of this precious habitat - with clear benefits for both nature and their farming operation.

Supported by Peatland ACTION - a Scottish Government-funded partnership involving NatureScot, Scottish Water, Forestry and Land Scotland, and both the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and Cairngorms National Parks - the restoration work is already delivering results. 

Improved land conditions have reduced animal losses from dangerous eroding ditches, while better-managed peatland is helping to prevent flooding in the wider community. As a carbon store, restored peatland also contributes significantly to tackling climate change. 

The restoration also aligns well with Cora and David’s adaptive mob grazing system and wider nature-friendly approach to farming, especially as it has required no reduction in stock numbers.

Watch the video from Peatland ACTION to find out more about their journey and the positive impact of peatland restoration.