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A marshy landscape with pools of water, brown grasses, and distant hills under a cloudy sky.

Dryhope

Peatland restoration

Located in the Scottish Borders, Dryhope is the site of the UK’s first Peatland Code validated restoration project. With strong collaboration and long-term funding, this pioneering scheme is securing the future of vital peatland habitat.

SDG Goal 6: Clean water and sanitationClimate actionLife on land
About this project

Dryhope sits across 161 hectares of upland hill ground north of St Mary’s Loch, within the Scottish Borders. Historically grazed by sheep, the land had suffered significant degradation, with extensive drainage and active erosion damaging the blanket bog. To reverse this, Forest Carbon, Tweed Forum and Scottish Natural Heritage joined forces to restore the site.

Restoration work focused on re-wetting the peatland by blocking man-made ditches and reprofiling hags to stop erosion. These actions have raised the water table, helping native bog plants like sphagnum moss return and reducing further carbon loss. Over time, the site is expected to shift from a carbon source to a carbon sink.

By attracting carbon finance, the project has secured 45 years of ongoing management, ensuring that early efforts are protected well into the future. Within that time, it is expected to prevent 6,484 tonnes of CO₂e from being emitted, according to Peatland Code-validated calculations. But the restoration doesn’t just cut greenhouse gases; it also delivers a range of environmental benefits, including improved water quality, better conditions for biodiversity and fisheries, and reduced flood risk within the wider Yarrow Water Catchment.

Our thanks go to all those who supported the Dryhope project and helped pioneer a new path for peatland restoration in the UK.

Shallow, murky water filled with green algae and thin aquatic plants.
Text 'PEATLAND CODE' with a partially glitched logo resembling stylized leaves.

Certified under the Peatland Code, the UK’s government-backed standard for carbon-funded peatland restoration.

Project stats

161
hectares
6,484
tCO₂e
Quotation

Peatlands are among the most valuable ecosystems on Earth and a stark example of how important our natural environment is to our wellbeing. Occupying just 3% of the Earth’s land surface, peatlands are our largest carbon store on land. They are places where people derive clean water and food, and can act as buffers for environmental disasters, such as flooding. They are also of global significance for biodiversity with the majority of peatland species and habitats rare, threatened or declining.

- Inger Anderson, Director of the IUCN

Project status

Registered

Project and plans are registered on IHS Markit.

Project validated

Documentation is audited, but work and verification are yet to occur.

Restoration validated

Restoration validated

Work is complete. An initial check has been carried out by a third party.

Verified

Meets Code standards, verified by an accredited assessor. Ongoing checks ahead.

Co-benefits

Flood mitigation

Flood mitigation

By raising the water table and re-wetting the bog, the project slows the flow of water through the landscape, helping to reduce flood risk downstream in the Yarrow Water Catchment.

Water quality

Water quality

Blocking drainage ditches and restoring vegetation improves the bog's ability to filter water naturally, enhancing water quality for both people and ecosystems.

Biodiversity recovery

Biodiversity recovery

Healthier peatland conditions create habitat for bog-specialist plant species like sphagnum moss, benefiting a wide range of insects, birds, and other wildlife.

Fisheries support

Fisheries support

Improved water flow and quality contribute to healthier river systems, creating better conditions for fish and supporting local freshwater biodiversity.

Our involvement

As well as being the UK’s first Peatland Code validated restoration project, Dryhope marked Forest Carbon’s entry into peatland work. It is one of 27 projects we’ve co-developed with Tweed Forum since 2013. Our long-standing partnership is built on trust, shared values, and the belief that collaboration delivers lasting impact.

Delivered Peatland Code validation

Step 1

Delivered Peatland Code validation

We supported Tweed Forum through the Peatland Code process, helping to compile the necessary data and documentation to ensure a smooth and successful validation.

Provided early funding

Step 2

Provided early funding

We agreed to pay on completion of the restoration work, rather than waiting for validation. This meant carrying the risk of non-verified units for more than three years, allowing the project to move forward without delay.

Secured the right buyer

Step 3

Secured the right buyer

Once the carbon units were issued, we brought the project to market and led its full sale to Nex Group. We handled all aspects of contracting to ensure a smooth and efficient handover.

Supporting long-term delivery

Step 4

Supporting long-term delivery

Our role continues as we manage the project’s ongoing verification responsibilities under the Peatland Code, helping ensure it delivers on its climate and environmental promises for years to come.

Get in touch
Quotation Open

[Forest Carbon's] skills in bringing in private finance to help fund both woodland and peatland work have increased both the scale and impact of our work, bringing a host of benefits to the local area.

Quotation Close
– Luke Comins, CEO of Tweed Forum

Funded by

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Want to back a project like Dryhope?

Dryhope was made possible by businesses and land managers working together to restore UK nature. If your business is looking to make a similar impact, explore the projects it can support today.

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