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Two of Scotland's best-loved whiskies have revealed projects to protect and preserve the natural surroundings which make each of their products so special. One will support a variety of maritime wildlife projects along the country's rugged west coast while the other will concentrate on restoring vital peatlands.
Talikser, on the Isle of Skye, is investing £600,000 in a three-year collaboration with Seawilding, which will see local groups and visitors to the site involved. The distillery - owned by Diageo - is to work with Seawilding, Scotland's first community-based marine habitat restoration charity, in supporting various pioneering schemes concentrated in and around Loch Harport and Loch Craignish and aimed at restoring abundant wildlife to the seabeds and shores.
Talisker's connection with the ocean and the sea goes back hundreds of years, and its ecosystem and the local community remain at its heart today. From next spring, the project will encourage distillery visitors to experience the partnership while also learning about restoration work and how to get involved.
By supporting community-led restoration, the partnership aims to help reconnect people with nature while also reversing damage to bring abundant wildlife back to the seabeds and shores. It is estimated around 95% of native oyster reefs have vanished over the last century while 92% of the UK's seagrass has been lost.
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But Seawilding's ongoing work at Loch Craignish has already achieved a major breakthrough in seagrass restoration.
Using an innovative technique which transplants mature seagrass shoots rather than planting seeds, the project has seen seabed coverage increase from 10% to 70% in just 15 months with a 97% survival rate.
Dafydd Pugh Williams, managing director of Diageo's Scotland Brand Homes, said: "For almost 200 years, Talisker has been made by the sea and our connection to the ocean runs deep.
"Without it, we have nothing, so we look forward to working closely with the extremely knowledgeable and passionate Seawilding team over the next three years as we continue our efforts to make effective and lasting change.
"We are inviting everyone to get involved as we move into the next stage of conservation with volunteering opportunities and experiences coming soon."
Seawilding CEO Danny Renton explained: "The fact Talisker, such a globally-renowned malt, is backing the cause of marine habitat restoration, protection of the seabed and conservation of Scottish waters is a really powerful statement. It is all about the water of life - and Seawilding is so excited and grateful to be part of this."
Meanwhile, plans are already underway to boost one of the most important parts of production on the so-called Whisky Island.
Distillers Suntory Global Spirits, Diageo and The Glenmorangie Company are partnering to restore peatland on Islay, with the project located at The Oa nature reserve aiming to secure vital habitats for wildlife, store carbon and celebrate the cultural roots which link nature and people to whisky.
Over the next five years, the distilleries will collectively contribute £1.6million to restore approximately 1,000 hectares of peatland, making it more resistant to flooding, improving resilience against wildfires and providing improved habitat for many species.
This, it is hoped, will transform the landscape into a healthy, thriving blanket bog. This internationally-important habitat sequesters large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere, storing an estimated 10 times as much carbon as all of the UK's forests.
Experts often highlight the value of restoration in mitigating climate change impacts, while peatland also acts as a vital habitat for a variety of plants and animals, with the restoration work set to benefit threatened species such as curlew, snipe, hen harrier and large heath butterfly.
The Oa contains a diverse array of habitats and species, from windswept moorland to nature-friendly farmland. However, much of the blanket bog on the nature reserve has been drained amid centuries of domestic
peat cutting, reducing the peat's capacity to take in carbon from the air.
Restoring this land will allow the peat to revegetate to a healthy habitat that delivers positively for climate and biodiversity.
Alistair Longwell, head of distilling and environment at Suntory Global Spirits, said: "We are delighted to be part of this forward-thinking collaboration that combines the expertise of RSPB and industry counterparts to restore peatland on Islay."
Kristin Hughes, global SVP for sustainability at Diageo, stressed the importance of collaboration with such projects, saying: "Collective action across industries and with environmental leaders is essential if we are to make a lasting impact in restoring Scottish peatlands.
"By bringing together diverse expertise, resources, and shared commitment, we can accelerate progress toward real, measurable results.Across our peat work, we will invest in improved scientific understandings of the multiple benefits peatland restoration can bring, such as water management, carbon capture and biodiversity.
"We look forward to delivering collaborative impact and strengthening the case for peatland restoration across Scotland and beyond."
Caspar MacRae, president and CEO of The Glenmorangie Company, says: "We recognise the vital role peatlands play,
in Scotland's natural heritage and in securing a sustainable future. By investing in the health of our peatlands, we are investing in the resilience of our environment, supporting biodiversity and safeguarding the legacy for generations to come."
RSPB Scotland director Anne McCall said: "This incredibly exciting partnership at The Oa will allow us to return some of Scotland's large and internationally-important peatlands back to health.
"It is a shining example of how conservation and industry can work hand in hand in restoring Scotland's incredible and unique habitats.
"Healthy peatlands also help improve water quality, which should benefit both wildlife and people."
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