FOR PEAT'S SAKE!

What's in the glass depends on seagrass... whisky giants in drive to protect the nature they need for a dram

- By Richard Elias

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.

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.