Protecting Peatlands, Protecting the Future

Scotland’s peatlands are among the most effective carbon stores on the planet, holding more carbon per hectare than forests. Home to around 15% of the world’s peatlands, these ancient ecosystems support diverse wildlife and play a crucial role in regulating the climate. However, decades of erosion and drainage have left more than 60% of Scotland’s peatlands damaged, releasing stored carbon back into the atmosphere. In response, landowners are taking action to restore these vital landscapes.

At Achnacarry Estate in the Scottish Highlands, restoration efforts go beyond repairing the land – they’re about safeguarding the future. “I’m proud to be part of restoring these ancient peatlands,” says Ewan Kennedy, Managing Director of Stag Infrastructure, a multidisciplinary company leading the estate’s restoration using Yanmar Compact Equipment machinery.

“The work that we’re doing here today will make a difference for my children, their children, and future generations beyond them,” he continues.

Through careful land management, peatlands can once again absorb carbon, retain water, and provide vital habitats for wildlife. But true sustainability goes beyond the land – it’s about the people who live and work on it.

“The estate is very much committed to delivering a sustainable future for the local community,” Ewan adds.

This connection between local people and the land reflects Yanmar’s commitment to providing reliable machinery that supports businesses like Stag Infrastructure as they work to create solutions that are not just environmentally responsible but also socially and economically sustainable.

Keeping Skills and Opportunities in the Highlands

One of the biggest challenges facing the Highlands today is younger generations leaving the area. Many move away in search of better opportunities, resulting in a skills gap that threatens local industries and environmental conservation.

“People leaving is a problem,” Ewan explains. “It’s created a generational gap.”

For Ewan, peatland restoration is about more than just the land; it’s about providing opportunities for the next generation.

“We’re creating full-time employment for young people in the area to hopefully retain them here so they can build their families and their future in this place,” he continues. “We’ve been part of running the pilot for peatland restoration training.”

This concept of investing in people’s future embodies Yanmar’s “HANASAKA” philosophy, the belief in nurturing potential and empowering people to create a better future. It aligns with Ewan’s mission to equip the younger generation with the skills they need to build a lasting future in the Highlands.

“It matters a lot to me because I’m from the local area myself, and I would like to provide opportunities for the younger generations coming through,” Ewan says. “I’m trying to build a sustainable future for local communities.”

Through mentorship, training, and investment in local skills, Stag Infrastructure is helping to ensure that the Highlands remain a place where people can live, work, and contribute to the land for generations to come.

Reliable Machinery for a Delicate Ecosystem

Peatlands are highly sensitive environments, requiring specialized machinery that can operate efficiently without causing damage. For Ewan, selecting the right equipment was crucial to ensuring restoration work could be carried out responsibly. With the help of Chris Knight, owner of Chris Knight Plant Sales and Yanmar’s Main Agent for Scotland, Ewan chose a Yanmar ViO80 excavator and a C30R-3 tracked carrier, both perfectly suited for working in fragile terrain.

A key factor in this decision was environmental responsibility. On remote peatland sites, minimizing environmental risks such as hydraulic leaks or diesel spillages is critical. The ViO80 is designed with these considerations in mind, offering a clean and efficient refuelling system that helps prevent contamination.

“On the peatland sites, minimizing hydraulic leaks or diesel spillages is crucial,” Ewan states. “[The ViO80] has a clean refueling system – tank-to-tank, eliminating manual diesel transfers that could cause spills.”

Beyond its fuel efficiency and low emissions, the ViO80’s compact design and stability make it ideal for working on soft ground without disruption to the peat layers.

Ensuring Success in Remote Locations

Working deep in the Highlands means that safety, reliability, and service support are essential. The remote terrain and harsh conditions require equipment that can operate consistently without breakdowns or delays.

To further adapt the machine for these conditions, Chris Knight worked closely with Ewan to modify the ViO80, creating a low ground-pressure undercarriage, extended reach, and increased counterweight, ensuring it could handle the challenges of the environment and work. With these enhancements, the ViO80 is key to carrying out restoration work efficiently, safely, and with minimal environmental impact.

“The reliability of these machines is very important, and the peatlands are well out in the mountains where operator safety is key,” Ewan explains. “The guys are working in a safe, clean environment, and Yanmar certainly provides that for us.”

Yanmar’s long-term commitment to sustainability extends beyond producing light and powerful machinery. Through dedicated dealers like Chris Knight, even the most remote operators have dependable access to the tools and support they need to work effectively.

A Future Where People and Nature Thrive Together

Ewan’s peatland restoration and skills training are helping to build a future where nature and communities sustain one another. His efforts safeguard both the Highlands’ landscape and local livelihoods by equipping young workers with hands-on experience.

This restoration work and Ewan’s business ambitions perfectly encapsulate the values that drive Yanmar. Reflecting on this, Elsie De Nys, Global Director of Brand & CSR at Yanmar Compact Equipment, states: “From a Yanmar perspective, we truly admire the dedication and vision Ewan brings to this important work. His commitment to sustainability, community, and passing on skills to the next generation are fundamental aspects of our core values and reflect our belief in HANASAKA. Just like Ewan, we have always supported the builders in life: those striving to build a better future for their business, their communities, and the world around them.”

Everyone is building something. For some, it’s a better, more profitable business. For others, like Stag Infrastructure, it’s about building a sustainable legacy that makes a difference.

At Yanmar Compact Equipment our message is clear, whatever you’re building – We are building with you.