The Buckny Burn Peatland Project is located in Butterstone (Nr Dunkeld), Perthshire in the Scottish Highlands.  It comprises a vast blanket bog on a plateau that is currently being actively drained.  Work is planned during 2023 to reverse the current drains system in order to hold water within the vast peatland. 

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The restoration of the Buckny Bog will achieve a remarkable seven UN Sustainable Development Goals!  To the east end of the peatland project a reservoir will be created that will benefit a range of waterfowl and to power a hydro-electric generator.

Per area of land, peatland is even more efficient than woodland when it comes to offsetting carbon.  These projects achieve four outcomes.  Firstly, by rewetting the landscape, the biodegradation of the peat itself is stopped; thereby preventing each site from emitting carbon.  Secondly, they accumulate biomass over time, laying it down in the peat.  Thirdly, the restored peatlands provide important habitat for a range of rare species.

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A vast area of sphagnum filters the water coming off the hills and will enhance water quality in the Children’s loch, Butterstone Loch and the River Tay which is a Special Protection Area.  By creating an enormous sponge on the plateau, the project will buffer flooding events in the area of Dunkeld.

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Species to benefit include a diverse array of peatland flora including sphagnum mosses, sundews, pitcher plants and many more.  Ground nesting birds in the vicinity include: black grouse, curlew, golden plovers, wood sandpipers, red grouse, pipets, skylarks, wheatears and snow buntings.  Raptors to benefit include: golden eagles, hen harriers, merlin, red kites, buzzards, sparrow hawks and kestrels.  Mammals to benefit from the project will include water voles, otters, foxes and more.

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​The proposed project area is surrounded on its immediate three sides by Sites of Special Scientific Interest.  There are a variety of exceptional habitats surrounding the site including high quality peatland habitats, montane lochs, remnants of mature Scots pine, a broadleaf ravine and significant areas of open moorland.  The higher elevations of the estate have never been drained.  Therefore, the peatland at elevation is of exceptionally high quality.  Restoring the wetland plateau will complement the existing high-grade habitats located at elevation, species from those high-quality areas will populate the restored site.

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The Estate itself is modernised and diversified to include sheep-farming, sporting, holiday lets, renewable energy (hydro), ecological interests (woodland & wetland management) and education. The Estate has worked in partnership with Moore House Care & Education to establish a school for children with special needs. The Moore House Academy, in Butterstone, was established in April 2019.  It employs 45 full and part time staff. The academy has now successfully completed its first year with children coming to the academy from across Scotland.