PEATLAND RESTORATION
Rewilding Learning Day
Join Biodiversity Consultant, James Banks, to discover more about these valuable ecosystems and how to restore them.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Peatlands cover more than 20% of Scotland’s land area and yet much of this water-purifying, carbon-storing habitat is in poor condition. Vast areas of peatland across Scotland are now being ‘re-wetted’ after centuries of being drained. The carbon that healthy peatlands lock away is significant – the blanket bogs in the Flow Country alone contain more than three times the carbon found in all of Britain’s woodlands combined.
Join our Learning Day to explore this important ecosystem and learn more about how to survey and restore peatland areas.
The Learning Day will cover:
- The key features of peatland ecosystems including common species, topographical characteristic and main erosional features
- How to distinguish between blanket bogs and raised bogs and fen ecosystems
- The importance of peatlands from the perspective of biodiversity, the atmosphere, hydrology and humans
- The requirement of field surveys, including peat depth, Vegetation and Condition Surveying and Herbivore Impact Assessments
- The main threats to the integrity of peatland systems and their ability to support biodiversity, store carbon and act as hydrological buffers
- How to recognise the features that indicate healthy and less healthy peatland ecosystems
- To be aware of the most common restoration techniques and their effective application
This Learning Day is for you if:
- you’re a student, graduate or interested in pursuing a career within the rewilding/nature restoration sector
- you’re a land manager interested in seeing rewilding in action and starting your own rewilding journey
- you’re enthusiastic about rewilding and want to learn more about the restoration of peatland habitat
DATES
| DATES | GUIDE | STATUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DATES: 21 Apr 2026 | GUIDES: James Banks | STATUS: Open | BOOK NOW |
PRICE
£95
PRICE INCLUDES
- Tea/coffee/biscuits on arrival
- All presentations, excursions and take-home resources
- Certification for course attendance
PRICE EXCLUDES
- Travel to/from the course
- Lunch (please bring a packed lunch)
- Personal expenses
This Learning Day is eligible for funding from the Peatland Training Fund. To find out more, including eligibility criteria, click here. Funding can be applied for through Skills Hub Scotland.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Timings
Arrival from 8.30am for tea/coffee/biscuits, for a 9am start. The day will wrap up after lunch, around 4pm.
How do I get there?
We will start the day at the Hayloft at West Moss-side Farm, which lies just outside of the village of Thornhill, in Stirling.
Please DON’T USE SAT NAV on the post code, follow the directions below.
Travel to Thornhill (junction 10 of M9 – A84 for Callander/Doune) – after about 5 miles – left fork just after Safari Park at Blairdrummond (A873 – Thornhill/Aberfoyle). Past The Smiddy on your left. This takes you to Thornhill village in about 6 miles.
In Thornhill, drive straight along the main street and continue out of the village heading for Aberfoyle (A873). About ¼ mile out of the village on the LEFT is the West Moss-side farm road end.
The turning is JUST after you come out of the 40mph speed limit. Turn left then follow the road to the right (green West Moss-side sign) – then just go to the VERY VERY bottom – till you can go no further. The road is OK for all but a very low slung sports car.
NB – DO NOT take the next small road (Middleton – opposite Chapel Farm).
Facilities
- Access to tea/coffee
- Access to toilets
What size are your groups?
This Learning Day accommodates up to 15 participants.
Is the course suitable for me?
The morning is spent indoors at the Hayloft. After lunch we put theory into practise and will be looking at the landscapes of Flanders Moss National Nature Reserve. The afternoon is spent walking slowly across peatland (can be muddy and pathless). In order to access some parts of the site, we may deviate from the path. A reasonable degree of balance and agility is suggested. The overall distance covered will be around 2-3km. Please wear appropriate clothing and sturdy boots.
If you want to discuss suitability further, please get in touch with our Rewilding Training Lead.
Read our FAQ's for more info
VENUE
We will meet at West Moss-side Farm for our indoor presentation before venturing outside for the practical element of the Learning Day.
West Moss-side Farm sits on low ground in Carse of Stirling. Part of the landholding lies within Flanders Moss National Nature Reserve – a unique ‘raised bog’ and peatland habitat, the largest intact example in the British Isles. West Moss-side is rich in wildlife, with snipe, curlew, water vole and beaver all having returned after periods of absence.
