Two tracts of Inverness-shire moorland are the subject of notices to Highland Council planning department to inform it of their intention to apply for permission to restore peat and prevent further erosion of carbon and other global warming gases.
Dunmaglass Estate near Kingussie has applied for a 55 hectare area, their second tract of restoration, with a further two planned in the future. Farr and Glen Kyllachy at Tomatin have similarly applied to restore three tracts of peatland.
Scottish Government grants are available for estates and other landowners to restore peatland and lock in carbon.
The aim of the work is to reduce physical erosion of peat in drain bases/sides, in gullies and peat flats where possible, and so minimise the loss of peat particles.
Efforts will be made to re-wet peat by blocking drains, and increase the level of vegetation cover on features currently dominated by bare peat, to provide more habitat for plants and animals generally.