Walk & Talk: Peatland Restoration at Suisgill Estate, Sutherland

Suisgill Estate is a 16,000 acre Highland estate in the Strath of Kildonan in Sutherland, bordering the north bank of the River Helmsdale. The primary activities on the estate are sporting, farming, and tourism.

Key sporting activities are red deer stalking and salmon fishing. Walked up grouse shooting over pointers has traditionally played a major part in the sporting activities on Suisgill. Red grouse numbers dwindled in the 1990s, however in the last 8 years the estate has seen positive results due to conservation management including peatland restoration, all improving the habitat. This has resulted in grouse numbers growing, with small walked up days being let.

The estate is home to 880 North Country Cheviot ewes and 500 black faced hill sheep, the main farming activity on the estate. Two self-catering properties are available for let to visitors.

Peatland restoration work started at Suisgill in 2019 with the project design and management carried out by Taylor Wildlife. The project involved 35 km of drain blocking with peat dams and drain reprofiling to benefit 1,165 acres of blanket bog. The work was carried out by local contractors, John Mackay Ltd.  

The estate has been working hard to keep deer levels low across the site as well as improving the habitat to recover red grouse populations across Suisgill. Head keeper, Klaus Olofsen and his wife Anna, who is doing a PhD in peatland restoration and forestry, also run a licensed venison butchery on the estate to supply local meat.

Klaus Olofsen and the local Peatland ACTION project officer, Gearoid Murphy will be on hand to answer any questions regarding the project including the practical integration of the peatland restoration work and ongoing maintenance into estate management activities at Suisgill. Peatland ACTION representatives will also be present to discuss the funding and application process.

Peatland Restoration

Members are warmly invited to join this Walk & Talk event, which will look at the site 4 years post restoration with a chance to discuss the various restoration techniques employed.

Key elements of the project which participants will see and discuss during the morning programme:

• Background to Suisgill Estate, key estate activities and the peatland restoration project to date
• The various stages of the restoration process from feasibility through to post restoration
• The benefits of the restoration work observed at Suisgill

Additional event information:

Meeting point:

We’ll gather at Kildonan Hall from 09:30 with a view to starting promptly at 10:00. Tea and coffee will be available on arrival.  

Format of the event

The Walk & Talk will open with a short introduction to Suisgill Estate and the peatland restoration project before we head up to the restoration site in a smaller number of 4WD vehicles.

We will stop at a site which gives a good view of the whole restoration area and, weather dependent, a 400 metre walk over the bog will take us to the restoration site.

From the peatland restoration site, we will return to Kildonan Hall for a light lunch followed by the afternoon session of presentations and discussion.

The programme will close at 15:30.

Draft programme

Other information: The morning session will take place outdoors, on the hill, so please bring suitable clothing and footwear.

Booking information: Booking is essential. To secure your place please book online today.

Date: 20 February 2024

Time: 09:30-15:30