Life as a PeatlandACTION intern: Behind the scenes of peatland restoration in Scotland

When I applied for the Peatland ACTION internship at Caledonian Climate, I was looking for a role that genuinely makes a difference. I wanted a job where the work contributes to Scotland’s climate ambitions and helps move us towards net zero. The opportunity to be involved in large-scale peatland restoration, while developing both field and technical skills, felt like the perfect fit.

What really drew me to Caledonian Climate was their focus on delivering impactful and tangible results for peatland restoration, and the wide range of work they do with landowners, contractors and investors. As peatland specialists, they’re involved in every stage of restoration, and I was excited by the chance to learn about all aspects of the process. 

So far, no two days have been the same! Sometimes I’m out on site assisting with surveys, site visits and peat depth probing. Site visits often require different skills and tactics depending on the weather, the site, the terrain, and the specific tasks we’re carrying out, which keeps the work interesting. 

When I’m not on site, I’m based in our new Inverness office working on GIS mapping. Working in the office has given me a better understanding of how field data feeds into peatland restoration planning and project delivery, and how different teams collaborate across the full lifecycle of a project. 

Being part of such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team has been a real highlight of my internship. The team is very welcoming, supportive, and generous with their time, helping me develop green skills that are critical for my future career in peatland restoration. The collaborative working environment has made it easy to ask questions, develop new skills, and grow in confidence. 

My internship has also allowed me to build on my existing experience in conservation and ecology, while developing new skills in GIS mapping and peatland restoration planning. Before joining Caledonian Climate, I worked as a ranger for the RSPB, as well as an assistant ecologist and ornithologist. I have also been involved in practical conservation work, including carrying out peatland restoration handwork. These roles helped me develop strong field skills and an understanding of conservation best practice, all of which I have been able to build on during this internship.

Overall, my time at Caledonian Climate has been an invaluable learning experience. I’m excited to keep developing my peatland restoration knowledge and technical skills, and to deepen my understanding of the sector, while being part of work that has such wide-ranging environmental benefits. 

Thanks to Catriona for sharing her experience of the PeatlandACTION peatland restoration internship, and of course, to PeatlandACTION and NatureScot for supporting her placement with Caledonian Climate.