Peatland Restoration
Work to restore Scotland’s peatlands is accelerating to help meet climate change targets. Our short courses are designed to build knowledge and skills in peatland restoration, whether you're already working in the sector, looking to get involved or simply have an interest in peatlands.
Courses combine classroom, field-based and online learning, with funding available towards course fees.
Interested in a course?
Register your interest
Complete our short form to tell us which course you'd like to attend.
Apply for funding
Funding towards the course fee may be available through Skills Hub Scotland. Once you've registered your interest, apply for funding using the link provided for your course.
Confirm your place
We'll follow up with you about your funding and any remaining course fee. Your place will be confirmed once funding and/or payment arrangements are complete.
Introduction to Peatland Restoration
Introduction to Peatland Restoration
This introductory course, based in the Flow Country, is designed for anyone interested in getting involved in peatland restoration. Combining classroom learning with a field visit to a nearby restoration site, the course will introduce the principles and practical approaches used to restore degraded peatlands.
Course details
- Duration: Two days
- Date: 10-11 November 2026
- Time: 9am-4pm
- Location: Latheron Hall
- Cost: £425 per person
What you'll learn
- The formation, functioning and importance of peatlands
- Restoration measures used to repair degraded peatland, with a specific focus on drain blocking, drain reprofiling, gully blocking and hag reprofiling, which will be observed on site
- Access considerations, including protection of watercourses
- Protected species and licencing
- Spatial data capture
- Peatland ACTION funding and processes, including project management, liaison and reporting
- The IUCN Peatland Code
- The influence of habitat and environmental conditions on restoration outcomes
- Monitoring the effectiveness of restoration
- Health and safety and managing CDM requirements on a peatland site
Interested in this course?
Once you've registered your interest, you can apply for funding towards the course fee through Skills Hub Scotland.
Introduction to Protected Species in Peatlands
Introduction to Protected Species in Peatlands
Peatlands support a wide range of wildlife, including species that are legally protected. This one-day course introduces the identification, conservation and management of protected species in the context of peatland restoration.
It is ideal for anyone working, or preparing to work, on peatland sites who needs to recognise protected species and understand how restoration work can be carried out around them and their habitats.
Course details
- Duration: One day
- Date: 5th November 2026
- Times: 9am-4pm
- Location: Armadale Village Hall
- Cost: £240 per person
What you'll learn
- How to identify key protected species found in peatlands
- The legislation and regulations protecting these species
- The main threats to protected species, including habitat degradation, climate change and invasive species
- How to recognise habitats and areas where protected species may be encountered, supported by a field visit
Interested in this course?
Once you've registered your interest, you can apply for funding towards the course fee through Skills Hub Scotland.
Bog Bryophytes for Beginners
Bog Bryophytes for Beginners
This practical two-day course provides an introduction to the biology, ecology and field-based identification of common moss species associated with peatlands. Combining classroom and field-based learning, the course will help you develop practical identification skills and provide tools to continue building your knowledge after the course.
Course details
- Duration: Two days
- Date: 25th and 26th November 2026
- Time: 9am - 4pm
- Location: Forsinard
- Cost: £425 per person
What you'll learn
- An introduction to bryophyte biology and taxonomy
- How to use identification keys
- Field-based identification of common bog bryophyte species
- Basic microscopy skills for bryophyte identification
Interested in this course?
Once you've registered your interest, you can apply for funding towards the course fee through Skills Hub Scotland.
Introduction to GIS for Peatland Restoration – Online
Introduction to GIS for Peatland Restoration – Online
This online course introduces the use of QGIS in the design and delivery of peatland restoration projects. You'll learn how GIS can support restoration planning, field data collection and reporting, including use of the Peatland ACTION spatial data template.
Course details
- Duration: One day
- Date: To be confirmed
- Delivery: Online via Microsoft Teams
- Cost: £95 per person
What you'll learn
- The basics of using QGIS software
- How to identify and map typical peatland erosion features using aerial imagery
- How remote sensing and publicly available datasets can support restoration design
- How QField can be used to capture data in the field
- How to use the Peatland ACTION spatial data template for restoration design, mapping and reporting
Before the course
You'll need access to a computer and will need to download QGIS, a free, open-source GIS application, before the course. Joining instructions will be sent in advance.
Interested in this course?
Once you've registered your interest, you can apply for funding towards the course fee through Skills Hub Scotland.
Important information
Outdoor fieldwork: For courses that include outdoor fieldwork, please bring warm, waterproof clothing and suitable footwear. You should be prepared to spend several hours outdoors in winter conditions.
Cancellations: Cancellations made within 48 hours of the course and non-attendance may be charged the full course fee.
Privacy: Any personal information provided when registering your interest will be handled in line with our Academic and Commercial Products privacy notice.