SCOTLAND’S ambitious programme to restore degraded peatlands has exceeded its annual target by more than 3,000 hectares, creating new opportunities for rural employment, land managers and environmental recovery across the country.
Figures published to coincide with World Peatlands Day on Tuesday, June 2, show that 15,448 hectares of peatland restoration were completed through the Peatland ACTION Partnership during 2025 the equivalent of almost 30,000 football pitches.
The achievement surpasses the Scottish Governments Programme for Government target for 2025-26 and represents the highest annual restoration figure recorded since the programme began.
Peatlands are increasingly recognised as a vital asset for Scotlands rural economy. Healthy peat soils store significant amounts of carbon, improve water management, support biodiversity and help reduce the risks associated with flooding and wildfires.
Scotland is home to around two million hectares of peatland, but large areas have been damaged over many decades through drainage, erosion and land-use changes. When degraded, peatlands release carbon into the atmosphere rather than storing it, making restoration a key part of the countrys climate strategy.
The latest restoration work was supported by 35.5 million of Scottish Government funding and delivered through a partnership involving public agencies, national parks and land managers.
NatureScots grant programme accounted for the largest share of the work, supporting 67 projects and restoring more than 10,000 hectares. Further restoration was delivered by the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Forestry and Land Scotland, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, and Scottish Water.
For farmers and estate managers, peatland restoration is increasingly becoming an important aspect of land management, particularly in upland and marginal areas where peat soils are common. Many restoration projects involve blocking drainage channels, rewetting damaged ground and stabilising eroded peat to encourage the return of healthy vegetation.
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs Gillian Martin said the programme is delivering benefits well beyond carbon reduction.
Restoring our peatlands creates quality jobs and economic opportunities in rural areas as well as reducing emissions, mitigating risks of flooding and wildfires, improving water quality, increasing biodiversity, and making our landscapes more resilient to the damaging effects of climate change, she said.
The sector is also creating new career pathways in rural Scotland. Alongside restoration work on the ground, a new Peatland Training Fund launched last year enabled more than 100 people to gain specialist skills, while the Peatland Internship Programme supported six organisations in recruiting trainees.
One of those to benefit was Manouk Wilkinson, now a Peatland ACTION Project Officer with the Cairngorms National Park Authority.
Originally an English teacher and part-time mountain guide, Ms Wilkinson switched careers after becoming involved in peatland surveys and restoration planning.
She completed a traineeship with Shetland Amenity Trust before moving into her current role, where she works with land managers and contractors to identify degraded sites, develop restoration plans and secure funding for projects.
Her experience highlights the growing demand for skilled workers in peatland restoration, an area expected to remain a key component of Scotlands rural and environmental policies in the years ahead.
As government and environmental agencies continue to expand restoration efforts, peatland projects are increasingly being viewed not only as a climate measure but also as a source of long-term employment, investment and practical opportunities for rural communities.
With record restoration figures now achieved and a new five-year partnership plan in place, the Peatland ACTION Partnership says Scotland is making significant progress towards restoring one of its most important natural resources while supporting the future of rural economies.
