Dorback Phase 1
Aberdeenshire
Added on 29/01/2025
Overview
Description
Dorback Phase 1 is a blanket bog peatland restoration project located on Dorback Estate near Nethy Bridge in the Scottish Highlands, covering a gross area of 191.67 hectares (145.63 ha net). Developed in partnership with Oxygen Conservation Limited and verified under the Peatland Code v2.1, diggers are currently on the ground restoring the site, expecting to finish in early 2026. The project sits within a landscape of exceptional ecological value. The majority of the restoration area falls within the Cairngorms Massif Special Protection Area (SPA), one of the UK's most important designations for upland bird species, while a portion of one sub-zone falls within the Cairngorms Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Abernethy Forest SSSI boundary. The project also sits in proximity to the River Spey SAC, designated for its outstanding freshwater and riparian habitats, including populations of Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). Restoration activities have been carefully designed and timed to protect the site's rich biodiversity. Works are scheduled outside the breeding season to avoid disturbance to golden eagles, two active nests of which are located in the vicinity, and pre-works surveys for otter and water vole have been undertaken in line with NatureScot guidance. Through drain blocking, reprofiling, and revegetation, the project aims to raise water tables, reduce carbon emissions from degraded peat, and restore the site towards active blanket bog condition. Long-term monitoring — including habitat surveys, indicator species assessments, and herbivore impact monitoring — will track ecological recovery over the project's lifetime, contributing to measurable progress against UN Sustainable Development Goals relating to climate action, water ecosystems, and terrestrial biodiversity.
Location
Highland
Total Forecast Emission Reduction:
20,740 tCO2e
| Verification year | Number of units (tCO2e) | Unit type | Validation and Verification Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2031 | 1,594 | Pending Issuance Units (PIUs) | Soil Association |
| 2041 | 3,191 | Pending Issuance Units (PIUs) | Soil Association |
| 2051 | 3,191 | Pending Issuance Units (PIUs) | Soil Association |
| 2061 | 3,191 | Pending Issuance Units (PIUs) | Soil Association |
| 2071 | 3,191 | Pending Issuance Units (PIUs) | Soil Association |
| 2081 | 3,191 | Pending Issuance Units (PIUs) | Soil Association |
| 2091 | 3,191 | Pending Issuance Units (PIUs) | Soil Association |
Dorback Phase 1
Diggers on the ground
Scale: 192 hectares
Forecast Emission Reduction:
20,740 tCO2e
20,740 tCO2e