Lead landscape
Invercassley Phase 1 - Carn Beag
Highland
Added on 18/12/2024

Overview
Description
The Invercassley Phase 1 Peatland Restoration Project, set to conclude in early 2025, will restore 337 hectares of degraded blanket bog in the remote and rugged landscapes of Sutherland. The project site lies within the River Oykel Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and near the Ben More Assynt SAC, underscoring its ecological significance. This isolated location provides a refuge for wildlife and habitats, but decades of peatland drying and erosion have impacted its biodiversity and carbon storage potential. Restoration works will include reprofiling hags, blocking artificial drains, and revegetating bare peat areas to raise the water table, stabilise carbon stores, and encourage sphagnum moss growth. These interventions will reduce sedimentation in nearby waterways, enhance hydrological balance, and improve habitats for local wildlife, including species protected within the SACs. Aligned with the Peatland Code, the project is expected to deliver substantial greenhouse gas emission reductions over its 40-year duration. By contributing to climate action (SDG 13) and life on land (SDG 15), Invercassley Phase 1 demonstrates how restoring remote peatlands can combat climate change, enhance biodiversity, and safeguard Scotland’s natural heritage.
Location
Scotland

Area characteristics:
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UN Goal
UN Goal
UN Goal
UN Goal
UN Goal

Total Forecast Emission Reduction:
21,860 tCO2e
Verification yearNumber of units (tCO2e)Unit typeValidation and Verification Body
April 20292,733Pending Issuance Units (PIUs)Soil Association
April 20395,464Pending Issuance Units (PIUs)Soil Association
April 20495,466Pending Issuance Units (PIUs)Soil Association
April 20595,465Pending Issuance Units (PIUs)Soil Association
April 20642,732Pending Issuance Units (PIUs)Soil Association
Invercassley Phase 1 - Carn Beag
Restoration complete
Scale: 337 hectares
Forecast Emission Reduction:
21,860 tCO2e