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Highlands Rewilding – Moorland Restoration & Biodiversity Hub in Scotland

Trust T1

Climate Zones: Temperate maritime.
Regenerative Focus: Rewilding, peat restoration, cultural education.

About this land node

This project restores moorlands and peatlands across the Scottish Highlands, enhancing biodiversity, peat sequestration, and cultural revitalization through community-led rewilding, data-driven monitoring, and regenerative tourism.

Overview

Project Vision: Heal Highland landscapes and communities through rewilding.
Project Purpose: Restore moorland ecosystems and promote biodiversity while enabling community engagement, carbon sequestration, and sustainable livelihoods.
Project Title: Highlands Rewilding
Political Location: Scottish Highlands, Scotland

Ecology & biodiversity

Biodiversity context: Adjacent to Cairngorms NP, linking Highlands biodiversity.
Ecological corridors: Links Cairngorms to Loch Ness.
Natural boundaries: Located in River Spey watershed near Cairngorms National Park.
Ecosystem unity: Temperate maritime moorlands linking mountains, peatlands, and river valleys to support wildlife and carbon storage.

Climate & water

Climate Zones: Temperate maritime.
Rainfall patterns: Rainy year-round (~150 mm/month); cold winters.
Average Rainfall: 1,500–2,000 mm/year
Temperature Extremes: 0°C to 15°C
Average Temperature: 7°C average
Watershed: River Spey watershed draining to North Sea.
Nearby water bodies: ≈5 km to River Spey; ≈50 km to North Sea

Land & terrain

Elevation & slope: 500–1,000 m; rugged slopes.
Landforms: Mountains, peatlands, moorlands.
Soil Types: Peaty soils low in nutrients; critical for carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
Soil health: Low organic matter, improving with peatland restoration.
Erosion risk: Moderate risk due to overgrazing; reduced via rewilding.
Renewable resource potential: Solar energy, peatland carbon credits, water harvesting.

People & history

Land Acknowledgements: Honours Gaelic culture and stewardship.
Recent land history: Past overgrazing reversed by rewilding.

Regenerative practice

Regenerative Focus: Rewilding, peat restoration, cultural education.
Regenerative Methodologies: Peat rewetting, deer management, native planting, data monitoring.
Environmental objectives: Increase forest cover, regenerate peat, restore biodiversity.
Community objectives: Engage residents, provide livelihoods, share knowledge.
Community engagement: Volunteer programs, eco‑tours, citizen science.
Economic Model: Donations, eco‑tourism, carbon credits.

Impact

Expressed Impact: Rewilded 800 ha, boosted biodiversity by 15%, engaged 500+ locals.
Key impact metrics: Ha restored, carbon sequestered, community involvement.

Visiting & links

Nearest urban centres: ≈50 km from Inverness.
Website: https://www.ecosystemrestorationcommunities.org/community/highlands-rewilding-uk/
Social media: https://www.instagram.com/ecorestorationcommunities