Proposed peatland restoration at Portmoak Moss
Woodland Trust Scotland has been consulting on plans to remove a large number of trees to improve the condition of the raised bog at its Portmoak Moss site in Kinross-shire.
The consultation opened in November 2025 and closed on 12 January 2026. We are now considering all responses before deciding how to proceed. We expect to share our next steps and plans before the end of February 2026.
We are proposing to fell the majority of trees on the site, almost all of which are non-native conifers.
It may seem odd for the Woodland Trust to be favouring peatland over trees, but we try to do what is right for all habitats on our sites. The bog is rare and special, whereas the non-native conifers, planted as a commercial crop decades ago by the Forestry Commission, have lower conservation value. If the site had remained focused on timber production, the trees would be due for clear felling around now. As mature trees on inappropriate soil, they are prone to blowing over, especially as storms become more frequent. If we don’t cut them down, they are likely to fall down, and that has public safety implications in a place enjoyed by so many visitors.
The 44-hectare site is a lowland raised bog and was historically managed for peat cutting, before being drained and planted with non-native conifers in the 1960s. The Woodland Trust took over ownership in 1996.
Draining and planting of a site like this would not happen today, as the importance of peat bogs for biodiversity and storing carbon is now better understood.
The entire site is deep peat, to over 6m in some places. That peat stores carbon, which is important in the fight against climate change. If the bog can be brought into better condition it will have the potential to lay down more peat, storing yet more carbon.
Woodland Trust Scotland has previously intervened to favour the bog. Twelve hectares of non-native conifers were felled and restored as open peat bog between 2000 and 2005. Trees have continued to seed in however, indicating the bog is not wet enough to maintain itself without our help. Removing new saplings has been an ongoing challenge for volunteers and contractors.
Woodland Trust Scotland sought advice from NatureScot’s Peatland Action team. The Trust plans to apply to Peatland Action for funds to carry out restoration work on the bog. Prior to that we plan to remove all the remaining non-native conifers. Some native trees growing on the deepest areas of peat will also be removed. Drains will be blocked to get the bog into a favourably wet condition. Small areas of mainly native woodland will be kept, particularly around Wellburn and the car park.
If the Peatland Action application progresses successfully, tree felling will take place in autumn 2026 with peatland restoration work taking place in winter 2026/27.
Temporary path closures will be necessary for safety during felling works. Some paths may be wetter after the works and some of the informal routes around the boundary may become impassable. Woodland Trust Scotland is committed to maintaining access opportunities. If the surfaced path becomes too wet, the Trust will seek funding for a boardwalk.
We respect that some people are used to, and like the site as it is. But we do have to manage our land and intervene sometimes to secure better future outcomes for the places we look after. We don’t do so lightly.
Portmoak Moss may look and feel different following bog restoration, but it will remain an asset for the community, and a place to boost health and wellbeing through encounters with nature.
Should we decide to continue with plans, there will be additional statutory processes to fulfil to gain regulatory approval. This will provide another opportunity for stakeholders to comment through Scottish Forestry's formal public consultation.
For further information please email Scotland@woodlandtrust.org.uk