Peatland ACTION - Peatland Restoration Training - Strathy South

          

Information for applicants

This peatland restoration training course is aimed at existing competent machine operators who want to gain experience in forest-to-bog peatland restoration. Training will take place near Strathy South windfarm development site by kind permission of SSE Renewables.

Applications should be submitted no later than 12:00 hours on Friday 13 February 2026.

The application form download is located at the bottom of this web page. Please read the following information before applying.

Project aims

In collaboration with SSE Renewables, NatureScot Peatland ACTION is offering a training opportunity for competent excavator drivers who wish to develop skills in forest-to-bog peatland restoration. 

The training site forms part of the Strathy South windfarm development site that is currently under construction.  A 7 ha clear-felled training site within the windfarm has been identified and mapped for restoration.

Over two consecutive weeks in March/April training courses, each of fours days in duration,  will offer an opportunity to develop a broader understanding of peatland restoration on previously afforested sites and a chance to put learning into practice; while carrying out the specified restoration works on the site. 

Training and mentoring will be provided free-of-charge.  A training allowance of £150/day will be paid to the trainees’ employer or the self-employed contractor at the completion of the week-long training course. Assistance with reasonable accommodation and travel costs can be provided if required. 

Background 

Peatland restoration plays a critical role in Scotland’s response to our Climate Change and Biodiversity emergencies. Peatlands store carbon and have benefits for biodiversity and water quality. Over 75% of Scotland’s peatlands are degraded. They are releasing over 15% of Scotland’s GHG emissions – the largest source of emissions after transport. Restoring peatlands is one of the most effective ways of locking in carbon, offering a clear nature-based solution to both the climate crisis and biodiversity loss.

Peatland ACTION is a national programme that is leading the way in delivering peatland restoration across Scotland, through providing funding to landowners to support on the ground restoration activities. It is led by Scottish Government and delivered in partnership between NatureScot, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, Scottish Water, and Forestry & Land Scotland. 

Peatland ACTION has put over 66,000 hectares of degraded peatlands on the road to restoration since 2012. Peatland ACTION is Scotland's leading national funding stream helping to put a target of 400,000 ha on the road to recovery by 2040, to help meet Scotland’s target of net-zero emissions by 2045.

As Scotland continues to upscale efforts to meet these restoration targets, there is a growing need for skilled and experienced machine operators to deliver restoration work across Scotland. 

What will the training consist of?

The training will take the form of a four-day-long course, running from Monday – Thursday in each week. The courses will be delivered in two consecutive four-day blocks, commencing 23^rd and 30^th March 2026.  A trainee will attend for the full four days.  

Training will be provided to learners whilst they are carrying out restoration on the SSE Renewables Strathy South Wind Farm site, providing real-life experience to competent machine operators wishing to gain understanding of and skills in forest-to-bog restoration techniques. 

Each four-day block of training will be led by experienced Peatland ACTION project officers and an operator skilled in forest-to-bog peatland restoration who will provide training and mentoring throughout. 

The training will consist of indoor and outdoor sessions, with each day starting and ending at the indoor venue. 

Indoor learning topics

Indoor learning will cover a range of topics such as: 

• the theory and principles of peatland restoration;
• the restoration objectives for the site and the purpose of the forest-to-bog restoration techniques to be used;
• management of access and protection of the water environment and archaeology during operations;
• protection of sensitive species and habitats, and
• mapping and recording work undertaken
• an overview of CDM Regulations and their application on peatland sites 

Outdoor learning topics

For most of each day, trainees will be on site, carrying out (under instruction) the following peatland restoration techniques:

• Drain / Furrow blocking
• Stump flipping
• Ground smoothing

Who can apply? 

The training is open to competent excavator operators currently in possession of valid CPCS, NPORS or FMOC qualifications, without significant forest-to bog peatland restoration experience, who are either: 

• employed by a business which is currently involved in forest-to-bog peatland restoration or interested in becoming involved in forest-to-bog peatland restoration, or
• self-employed and wishing to gain skills in the forest-to-bog peatland restoration. 

Individuals with extensive experience of carrying out forest-to-bog peatland restoration should not apply to be part of the training programme. 

This training project aims to ensure that businesses in North Highland are in a good position to bid for peatland restoration work. Therefore, in the event of the training being over-subscribed, priority will be given to Sutherland and Caithness residents.

When will I find out if I have a place?    

An application to join this training programme does not guarantee a place.   Applications will be quality-assessed to ensure they meet the criteria outlined below.  In the event that there are more applications than training spaces available, priority will be given to competent and qualified machine operators based in Sutherland and Caithness.  We will confirm the allocation of places 16 February 2026. 

What are the Terms and Conditions?     

• Competence in use of a tracked excavator and possession of a valid CPCS/NPORS/FMOC card are pre-requisites of application to this scheme.
• Each trainee will be required to commit to four full days of training.  Subject to attendance, a training allowance of £150 per day will be paid to the trainees’ employer or the self-employed contractor at the end of the course.  This is subject to attendance.
• Trainees must be covered by appropriate Public Liability Insurance (as an employee or sole trader).
• The training area has been selected so that there is no direct interface with either forest harvesting or civil works, but trainees need to be mindful that this is a live construction site.
• Trainees should be prepared for both indoor and outdoor sessions and have appropriate PPE, including warm and waterproof clothing and safety footwear.  We can supply hi-viz gilets and hard hats, gloves and eye protection but trainees are very welcome to provide their own.
• The training will be provided free of charge.  However, a charge may be applied if the trainee cancels within 3 days of the start of the course, or does not appear, without reasonable explanation.
• Peatland restoration falls under the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015.  Trainees must commit to following the Health & Safety requirements set out by the Principal Contractor on the site.
• Where daily travel to Strathy South is not practicable, reasonable accommodation expenses will be paid. Where trainees are normally based outside the Sutherland and Caithness area, a contribution towards travel costs of £50 will be made. Lunch and refreshments will be supplied each day.
• The windfarm access route is a stone-built track, which is approx. 8.5 miles in length from the public road to the windfarm development site.  SSER recommend that 4x4 vehicles are used – or at least vehicles with enough ground clearance and appropriate tyres for the conditions. SSER won’t be held responsible for any damage to any of the attendees vehicles.   

Criteria for evaluation of applications

Criteria for evaluation of applications

Application assessment criteria	Score (0-4)
Trainee can demonstrate the value of this training to their company or their sole trader business.
Trainee can provide some evidence of their interest in peatland restoration, e.g. through attending training events or demonstration days, informal attempts to learn from peers etc
TOTAL SCORE (out of 8)

Mandatory requirements 

Trainee is resident in Scotland and has the right to work in the UK. 

Trainee is competent in the use of a tracked excavator and is in possession of a valid CPCS/NPORS/FMOC card. 

Trainee is covered by appropriate Public Liability Insurance.

How to apply

Please complete and submit the ‘Strathy South training site’ application form to [email protected] by the closing date of 12:00 hours on Friday 13^th February 2026.

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