A peatland restoration project on the Queensberry Estate near Drumlanrig Castle is working to reduce flood risk and improve water quality in Dumfries and Galloway. SP Energy Networks is funding the restoration of 46 hectares of degraded peatland, roughly the size of 60 football pitches. The work involves re-wetting the land so it can hold water like a sponge, slowing runoff that previously surged into valleys and rivers, threatening homes and businesses downstream. The project is managed by the Crichton Carbon Centre and marks the first collaboration between SP Energy Networks and Buccleuch Estate. Besides flood mitigation, restoring the peat supports wildlife habitats and keeps local rivers cleaner, benefiting fisheries. The initiative also contributes to carbon storage, as healthy peatlands are significant carbon sinks. The partners say they are exploring further nature restoration opportunities, suggesting a broader commitment to ecological resilience in the region.
