A changing landscape
In the Angus Glens, the River South Esk winds its way through Glens Clova, Glen Doll and Prosen. It’s a landscape shaped by water, land management, nature and increasingly, by climate change.
The River South Esk Catchment Partnership is working across this landscape to restore natural systems at scale. The aim is to create a healthier, more connected catchment that can better withstand climate impacts while supporting biodiversity, land use and local communities.
This is not about a single site or intervention. It is about taking a whole-catchment approach, bringing together landowners, public bodies, communities and environmental organisations to rethink how land and water work together.
Climate impacts in focus
The need for this work is already being felt.
In October 2023, Storm Babet brought exceptional rainfall across eastern Scotland, with some areas receiving more than double their average monthly rainfall. Just two years earlier, Storm Arwen caused widespread damage, including the loss of significant forestry in Glen Doll.
These events reflect a wider pattern. Heavier rainfall is increasing flood risk, while hotter, drier periods are placing pressure on habitats and water systems. For those living and working in the catchment, these changes are no longer in the distant future, they are part of everyday reality.
Working with nature
In response, the project is taking a nature-based approach, working with natural processes rather than against them.
Rivers are being reconnected to their floodplains so water can spread and slow during heavy rainfall holding water for longer in the upper catchment Woodland is being expanded and allowed to regenerate naturally, improving habitat connectivity and stabilising soils.
Together, these actions are helping to build a landscape that can better absorb, store and manage water, while delivering benefits for biodiversity and carbon storage.
Partnership in practice
This work is only possible through collaboration.
The River South Esk Catchment Partnership is working with Rottal Estate, Angus Council, Forestry & Land Scotland, Cairngorms National Park Authority, Esk Rivers & Fisheries Trust and RSPB Scotland.
The project is funded by The Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, Angus Council and the Cairngorms National Park Authority, with additional in-kind support from River South Esk Catchment Partnership, Cairngorms National Park Authority and RSPB Scotland.
Working across multiple landholdings allows for a coordinated, landscape-scale approach. It also brings together a wide range of skills, knowledge and experience, which has been critical to both securing funding and delivering the project.
Challenges and learning
Delivering a project of this scale comes with challenges.
The timing of funding, coordinating across partners and responding to changing weather conditions have all required flexibility. One of the wettest Februaries on record in Angus in 2026 is a reminder that climate impacts are already shaping how projects are delivered.
An adaptive approach has been essential, adjusting plans where needed while keeping long-term outcomes in sight.
Key lessons include the importance of early planning, strong partnerships and for some aspects, allowing more time than expected. Listening to landowners and working collaboratively has also been central to progress.
Looking ahead
The River South Esk catchment has been recognised as a landscape-scale exemplar within the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Delivery Plan. The project, completed in March 2026 is already contributing to restoring habitats and improving resilience within the catchment at scale.Looking ahead, the project is expected to act as a catalyst for further restoration across Angus and beyond. With continued support and funding, there is potential to expand this work and build on what has been learned.
At its core, this project is about restoring balance between land, water and people -creating a catchment that is richer in nature and better prepared for the challenges ahead.
“The River South Esk Catchment Partnership is delighted that funding was awarded from the Nature Restoration Fund to restore important habitats in the upper catchment.
Restoring the straightened section of the March Burn and creating largescale wetlands in Glen Clova helps revive natural flow, reduces flood risk, improves water quality, and restores habitats for wildlife. Alongside naïve woodland regeneration and riparian planting, this boosts biodiversity, supports fisheries, and enhances climate resilience while providing recreational and aesthetic benefits for communities. The ‘Restoring the River South Esk’ project joins many previous restoration projects in providing a more resilient catchment. “
Roger Owen , Chair
River South Esk Catchment Partnership
Read the final report here : https://theriversouthesk.org/projects/nature-restoration-fund-2022/