Community incentives in peatland restoration in the Outer Hebrides

This project developed a community guide for peatland restoration and its finance in the crofting context, which is the result of field-based research conducted in the communities of Carloway, Arnol and Ranish in the Isle of Lewis, Western Isles of Scotland, from February to March 2023. During this time the need for information that explores and explains the implications of peatland restoration for crofting communities, particularly around financing peatland restoration and the role of carbon markets, was identified. With help from various kind contributors and reviewers, we have developed a series of resources, published on the website, to act as a ‘guide’ principally for crofting communities navigating peatland restoration in rural Scotland. We hope the guide will serve as a benchmark resource for crofters, landowners and public bodies to assist in community governance and decision-making around peatland restoration. The questions within the FAQs have been identified through our research, as being the most important to ask when it comes to community deliberation on whether to undertake a peatland restoration project.