Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) - Our Projects 2023

The Island of Luing in Argyll has for centuries been a centre for agriculture and food production, formerly referred to as the breadbasket of Argyll it is still a heavily farmed landscape keenly focused on food production. Whilst Luing has a rich history in this respect, the negative result is that its natural history, its biodiversity, native woodlands, water quality and landscape diversity have suffered.

Across the Sound of Luing the adjacent island of Scarba contrasts hugely to Luing in topography, biodiversity and land use but has its own set of concerns, the addressing of which will contribute to maintaining its flora and fauna for generations in the future to enjoy. Currently peatland degradation and over browsed existing woodlands pose a threat to the long-term biodiversity of the island and a catastrophic loss of sequestered carbon.

Two different islands, with two different problems and challenges all within a single landscape. Our project, supported by the Nature Restoration Fund, seeks to address these issues by hugely enhancing habitat variety and biodiversity through pond, wetland habitat and woodland creation at landscape scale, whilst ensuring these are well connected with as many habitat linkages as possible. The project sits within the Scarba, Lunga and the Garvellachs National Scenic Area, the Jura, Scarba and the Garvellachs Special Protection Area and the Firth of Lorn Special Area of Conservation. Key target species that the project will benefit include devils bit scabious, sphagnum moss, marsh fritillary, lichens including white script lichen, hazel gloves fungus, water vole, waders, otters, hen harriers, sea eagles and golden eagles.

Further information - Wildluing 

The Brerachan Water restoration project aims to restore and enhance a section of the Brerachan Water on Straloch Estate near Pitlochry, Perthshire.  This will be achieved by introducing meander bends into a historically straightened section of the river, conducting native riparian tree planting, removal of embankments to enhance the river’s connectivity to its floodplain, and the creation and enhancement of wetland and floodplain habitats.

Further information - Lockett Agri-Environmental 

This project will support the restoration of five highly threatened invertebrate species: the pine hoverfly, the dark bordered beauty moth, the medicinal leech, the pond mud snail and the small scabious mining bee. The recovery of these highly range-restricted species will be used as a driver for restoration of connected healthy habitat and to inspire the next generation of conservationist through meaningful paid work placements and participation in milestone conservation events. The project will take place partially in Edinburgh but predominantly in the Cairngorms National Park.

Further information to be provided.

Aberdeen B-Lines will create and restore 20 hectares of habitat for pollinators at sites on B-Lines that follow the coast, the River Dee and River Don in Aberdeen.

Further information to be provided.

Led by the Forth Rivers Trust, this project will use nature-based solutions to provide natural flood management benefits in the upper reaches of the Allan Water catchment. It builds on previous restoration work in the catchment to strengthen the cumulative benefits of floodplain connectivity and renaturalised river flows and will provide greater resilience to flood-peaks and drought. Slowing flows and holding water on the floodplain will enhance the process of carbon sequestration within the soils, supporting these valuable carbon sinks. In addition, the creation and enhancement of wetland habitats will deliver biodiversity benefits for associated species, especially wading birds, amphibians and small mammals. The project will include techniques to slow flows and retain water on the floodplain, such as: ditch blocking, redirected channels, breaking agricultural drains to enhance infiltration, installing leaky dams, newly created wetland scrapes and vegetation management. These actions will provide benefits for natural flood management and biodiversity, both locally and in the wider context of the Allan Water and Forth catchment as a whole.

Further information - Forth Rivers Trust

The project aims to create, restore, and connect habitat to improve ecological integrity at a landscape scale along the northeast Fife coastline. The project will deliver a range of interventions including woodland, scrub and hedge planting, wetland and meadow creation, dune restoration at the Eden Estuary SSSI, and targeted conservation grazing of Craig Hartle SSSI.

Further information to be provided.

Ninety nine per cent of upland hay meadows have been lost across the British Isles since the Second World War. The aim of the Tweed Meadows Project is to combat this meadow decline in the Scottish Borders where meadow loss has been even greater than the national average, with the landowner of the only known extant examples of hay meadow under active management remaining, those at Newhall Farm, seeking to participate in this project. Currently, the Tweed Meadows project includes 18 landowners across the Borders spanning the Tweed River catchment. The tragic decline of meadows has led to a catastrophic loss of flora and fauna associated with one of our most biodiverse habitats. It is hoped that this project will galvanise action and generate momentum to reverse these losses in the Borders. Working in partnership with sympathetic landowners the project will reintroduce mowing and grazing management to restore neglected meadows so that where diverse flora was once lost, new areas of flower-rich hay meadow will be created.

Further information - Merlindale Nature 

This is the second phase of a project to increase biodiversity connectivity through the large-scale planting of hedging at Dougarie Estate.

Further information - Dougarie Estate

This project will take place across seven municipal golf courses in Fife, managed by Fife Golf Trust, amounting to 544.8ha of land. With this funding, the trust will further the conservation of biodiversity by enhancing, creating and connecting habitat. This includes 8.7ha of woodland copses and treelines, 17.28ha species-rich grassland, 1,070m native mixed hedgerows, seven wetland mosaics, five ponds, and the naturalisation of 4,940m² linear freshwater habitat including ditches and small watercourses.

Further information to be provided.

This project will restore the SSSI native pinewoods that have suffered from overgrazing pressure and invasive plants by removing deer and non-native conifers. Wetland creation will expand breeding habitat for the threatened northern damselfly and woodland corridors will establish a nature network of diverse broadleaf woodland habitat linking existing habitat within the site and beyond.

For information -

Scotland - The Big Picture 

Call of the Wild 

Argaty’s Restoring the Waterways & Reconnecting the Cores project will create a significant nature network of new and restored habitats, benefitting a suite of species ranging from pollinators to birds, bats to beavers. Riparian areas will be fenced off, permanently excluding grazers from water margins. Within these interlinked wildlife corridors, locally-sourced native trees will be planted, invasive Japanese knotweed removed and yellow rattle sown to weaken competitive grasses and allow less-competitive wildflowers to flourish. Five double row hedgerows will also be planted. This continuation of an existing native hedgerow planting programme will further connect habitats throughout the estate, creating interlinked corridors for rare and declining species and enhancing connectivity with neighbouring estates.

Further information – Argaty Red Kites 

The Cattie Burn is an important tributary of the River Dee, designated as a Special Area of Conservation for Atlantic salmon, freshwater pearl mussel and otter.

A suite of restoration measures is proposed to help regenerate the Cattie Burn, which has suffered from direct historic manmade modifications of the channel to straighten its course, as well as habitat degradation through adjacent land use.

• We will kick-start natural processes to restore a more diverse instream habitat, enhance spawning opportunities for salmon, and provide improved environments for juvenile fish to thrive before they start their challenging journey out to sea
• A modified, straightened and degraded ~375m section of the burn will be re-meandered, incorporating pools and wetland habitats aimed at supporting a range of aquatic and riparian species
• 32 smaller hand-built wood structures will be incorporated into two main sections of channel, to add instream morphological diversity and cover for juvenile and adult fish
• Two manmade weirs, which are partial barriers to fish, will be removed to aid migration of adult fish upstream to spawning grounds and smolts heading downstream on their journey to the open sea
• A widened water margin buffer or ‘river restoration zone’ will be created, allowing the watercourse room to develop a sinuous naturalised course. The zone will also incorporate wetland restoration at a key floodplain site with a variety of offline shallow open pools ideal for a range of local wildlife. Native broadleaved trees will be established in the riparian zone to help diversify and expand existing wooded cover

Further information – The River Dee - Success Stories 

The East Mains farm hedgerow habitat creation project will create a new, substantial and linked hedgerow and woodland habitat. Delivering biodiversity which will increase pollinator numbers and also mammalian numbers. Additionally the paddocks created will allow rotational tall grass grazing which will increase rainwater infiltration thus benefiting the greater Tweed catchment area.

Further information – see Eastmains Shorthorn Facebook page.

The Glencoe habitat recovery project aims to deliver habitat restoration for biodiversity gain and climate change resilience across Glencoe National Nature Reserve. National Trust for Scotland is the custodian of 5,665 hectares in Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes, and this project aims to deliver a step-change in how the Trust manages the estate for nature conservation.  

Further information – National Trust for Scotland - Glencoe NNR 

The objective of the project is to develop and expand a degraded wetland ecosystem to improve habitat for great crested newt (GCN) (Triturus cristatus), a European protected species, as well as other vulnerable species.  The wetland lies across two adjoining landholdings within the catchment of the Haining Loch, in the Scottish Borders; a semi-improved species-rich calcareous grassland and a historic designed landscape.  The objective will be achieved by desilting, deepening and introducing clusters of ponds and slow flowing ditches across the sites, providing connected breeding habitat for amphibian taxa including GCN.  Excessive overshading of key habitats will be reduced.  Hibernacula and refugia, as well as dead hedges, will be introduced to provide shelter and overwintering space.   Invasive plant species will be removed from the area to improve resilience of native plant communities on site. 

Further information – Bright Green Nature - wetland development for amphibians 

The River Earn restoration project near Bridge of Earn, Perthshire aims to reconnect the river with the flood plain on haugh land. This will enhance natural flood management, reduce flow pressure, reduce erosion and improve biodiversity on a section of the river.  This will be achieved by removing a section of river embankment and forming a relief channel that becomes active under high flows, reconnecting the floodplain with the river.  As well as creating a new mosaic of open water and wetland habitats, the project also aims to enhance the existing habitat on the site through the excavation of small, shallow ponds and increase connectivity with habitat already present.

Further information – Lockett Agri-Environmental 

Ponds act as hotspots for many types of wildlife and plants that rely on wetlands, providing a stepping stone for species as they move across the landscape. The new ponds at Beldorney will create habitat for newts, frogs, toads, dragonflies and damselflies and water voles among many other species. Their creation will also slow the flow of water into the River Deveron in wetter seasons, acting as natural flood management, while also supporting increased water availability for wildlife during drought. This will help to increase water resilience on the estate, protecting against climate change driven biodiversity loss. The ponds will also be used for watering livestock through gravity fed troughs. This increased water availability will facilitate wider biodiversity benefits beyond this specific project by enabling further development of the existing strategic planned grazing of cattle, designed to boost biodiversity of grasslands.

Further information – Highlands Rewilding

‘Link Caerlaverock’ involves the creation of ponds, wildlife corridors and meadows, across our coastal location, to maximise the protection and restoration of Caerlaverock’s unique ecosystems and biodiversity.

‘Link Caerlaverock’ will link existing and future biodiversity work done by our neighbouring partners (WWT Caerlaverock and NatureScot (@Caerlaverock NNR)) and will provide buffer support, inland, to these areas.

The result: a large-scale area for biodiversity on the Solway Coast, focused on enhancing and connecting habitats, and promoting long-term resilience of our resident species in the face of rising sea levels.

We have designed the project with a complete ecosystem in mind, to support all stages of the breeding, hibernation and feeding cycles of the species we specifically aim to provide habitat for (natterjack toads as well as insect life in the meadows).  Our project will also offer multiple habitats for a variety of other species.

Further information - Caerlaverlock Estate 

Pond locations are being chosen carefully based on existing knowledge of the land in terms of water systems, baseline biodiversity data, and advice from SEPA to provide maximum benefit in terms of biodiversity, water availability, and flood mitigation. The project will enable comprehensive mapping, modelling, and impact assessment of land management changes for pond creation. We have also discussed our project proposals with neighbouring landowners and there is good potential for this project to contribute to more landscape scale nature recovery in the area. It will also hopefully complement other future wetland creation projects on the estate and we aim to eventually connect existing riparian planting with wetlands and support the natural regeneration of wet woodland.

Further information – Galloway Fisheries Trust 

This landscape scale project based on the island of Gigha will eliminate invasive non-native species, create a system of hedgerows to improve habitat connectivity, and provide a wider diversity and structure of habitat. The project will be the springboard to protect and promote naturally regenerating woodland areas, and possible future woodland expansion projects.

Further information – Isle of Gigha 

The Balcaskie Wetlands project is a partnership between Forth Rivers Trust and the Anstruther Improvements Association (AIA) which will deliver a series of landscape scale restorative interventions on the upper reaches of the Dreel Burn. The Balcaskie Wetlands project will deliver –

• Natural Flood Management (NFM) through the installation of leaky dams (x10)
• Riparian tree planting (x700 native broadleaf trees planted)
• Wetland creation – wader scrapes/ ditch blocks/ willow weaving (3.15 ha of wetland creation)
• Ford removal/barrier easement (4,775m of freshwater habitat connectivity)

The Balcaskie Wetlands project will hopefully be the catalyst for the wider restoration of the Dreel Burn which will help address the combined issues of climate change and declining biodiversity in Scotland.

Further information –

Forth Rivers Trust 

Anstruther Improvements Association

This project will restore floodplain habitat to benefit the freshwater pearl mussel population in the River Teith, Stirlingshire. Scotland is the last bastion of freshwater pearl mussel in western Europe but the Teith population is in danger of becoming extinct.

Freshwater pearl mussel require a high standard of habitat and water quality, and are particularly impacted by soil erosion from the catchment. Floodplain restoration measures can reduce erosion and silts carried in run-off. Measures such as riparian tree planting, drain blocking, wetland creation and greenbank protection will be carried out on the floodplain of the River Teith. This project is part of a cluster of projects in the River Teith that will benefit biodiversity at a landscape scale.

As well as floodplain habitat improvements, the project will introduce measures to promote breeding. Freshwater pearl mussel release their larvae in late July, but they’re not free-living. They must be inhaled by a juvenile salmon or trout, and then they will spend a few months living on the gills of the fish. The next spring, they drop off the gills and live independently on the bottom of the river. The mussels are so tiny and extremely vulnerable at this point, and they can easily be suffocated by excess silt. That is why measures to reduce erosion and the amount of silts being washed into the river, are beneficial to the freshwater pearl mussel.

Further information – Forth Rivers Trust - Projects

Easter Coul Farm is situated between Auchterarder and Dunning in rural Perthshire and encompasses 12 acres of pasture, orchard, paddock and mature woodland. Easter Coul lies very close to the Craig Rossie SSSI – important for its geological features. Our vision is to demonstrate the high biodiversity impact of what happens when you remove herbivore pressure across our 12-acre landholding. We believe that smaller restoration projects are incredibly important in the short term to create ecological connection across the landscape as they provide seed islands, refuge, cover and corridors across landscapes which are heavily grazed and nature poor. And they provide inspiration as to what is possible for smaller landowners and farmers.

We wish to bring about a transformation to the entire property, concentrating on the restoration and recovery of different habitats to encourage existing wildlife and to hopefully draw in more diverse populations of birds, invertebrates, wildflowers, mammals and amphibians. Our 12 acre nature transformation will include: 

• Native mosaic-planted woodland with open glades for Lepidoptera.
• Wetland area creation to provide habitat for Odonata.
• Species-rich meadow creation for pollinators.
• Wildlife corridors to create green networks and aid wildlife movement across our property

Initial construction of a perimeter deer fence will restrict herbivore pressure across our 8.4a field to allow for natural regeneration of woodland and enrichment mosaic planting of native tree and woodland plant species.

Further information – website link not yet available

Scotsburn is a story of upland regeneration. A once sparse and species poor landscape, shaped by historic over-grazing by sheep until the 1970’s. The land now boasts some spectacular native pinewood regeneration amongst the numerous semi natural habitats, including wetland, heath, natural grassland, tall herb communities and calcareous flushes. Cattle grazing has been an intrinsic part of this recovery, helping to restore the landscape which hosts areas designated as SSSI and SPA for capercaillie.

This project will combine several activities including removal of invasive tree species, sensitive fencing to enable more bespoke grazing management of the SSSI flush feature, planting of 65 Aspen trees to provide additional capercaillie feed source, and drone and GPS technology as well as habitat monitoring, to track the progress of the site.

Further information - Facebook and Instagram @scotsburnfarm

The Kilburns Biodiversity enhancement and connectivity project will provide increased habitats for insects, amphibians, mammals and birds along a significant stretch of the Tay Estuary. The project aims are to increase diversity of species, particularly those that are declining in abundance.

Further information – Balmerino

This project is introducing fenceless grazing to allow for mob-grazing at scale across Kintra Farm, Islay, which sits within the Oa Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA), the Laggan Special Protection Area, and Laggan Peninsula and Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest. This will enable targeted, intensive grazing that creates short swards for supporting chough habitats. The use of GPS collars will enable wide application of 'mob grazing' management: this will result in faster regeneration compared to set-stocking and better soil structure. In addition, stock movement will be diverted from the machair, reducing pressure and better enabling the grazing management of this delicate habitat to be improved through low-intensity grazing. An area of riparian planting is being undertaken to the benefit of aquatic biodiversity.