West Monar & Pait Phase 1
Highland
Added on 06/01/2025
Overview
Description
Scheduled to begin in July 2026, Phase 1 of the West Monar & Pait Peatland Restoration Project will restore 208.4 hectares of degraded blanket bog on the southern bank of Loch Monar. This phase targets extensive hag and gully erosion, bare peat pans, and micro-erosion, which are accelerating habitat degradation and carbon loss. Restoration techniques will include hag and gully reprofiling, peat and mineral dams, surface bunding, and drain blocking to raise the water table, stabilise the landscape, and encourage sphagnum moss regeneration—crucial for long-term peat formation. Two small peat bank reprofiling areas will also be addressed near existing argo tracks near Pait Lodge to prevent further erosion. This phase is partially within the Affric - Cannich Hills SSSI and is hydrologically connected to the Strathglass Complex SAC, designated for otters. It is also within the Central Highlands Wild Land Area (WLA 24), requiring careful conservation planning. Ecological surveys for otters, water voles, and ground-nesting birds will be conducted prior to restoration. By contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 15: Life on Land), Phase 1 will improve carbon sequestration, restore vital peatland ecosystems, and enhance habitat resilience. The project is expected to be completed by September 2026.
Location
Scotland
Area characteristics:
Total Forecast Emission Reduction:
Under development
| Verification year | Number of units (tCO2e) | Unit type | Validation and Verification Body | ||||||
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West Monar & Pait Phase 1
Under development
Scale: 766 hectares
Forecast Emission Reduction:
TBC
TBC