River Restoration

No shade. Nowhere to hide. River restoration is crucial to improve spawning levels and the survival of fry to adults.

Our Fish at Risk?

The river don has long been celebrated as one of the premier rivers for brown trout fishing. Renowned for its ability to produce large, high-quality trout, often exceeding 3 lbs. This is due to the unique qualities of the river Don allowing them to sustain themselves without going out to sea.

However, the river’s reputation is at risk due to habitat degradation from agricultural expansion, deforestation, and urban development, which affect water quality and trout spawning. Climate change, invasive species like Giant Hogweed, overfishing, poaching, and pollution from agricultural runoff further stress the trout population, threatening the river’s biodiversity and overall health. Efforts to address these challenges are crucial to preserving the river’s ecological integrity.

Salmon are too effected. In early 2022, the Scottish Government published a Wild Salmon Strategy, highlighting that “there is sadly now unequivocal evidence that populations of Atlantic salmon are at crisis point.”

Areas such as the Mossat Burn is an important spawning tributary. Like the Don itself, it suffers from lack of tree cover. Its shallow water needs dappled shade to cool it. On a scale of 0-10 the Mossat scores 9 on the Scottish River Temperature Monitoring Network (SRTMN). The tributary ranks as HIGH PRIORITY. Urgent tree planting is needed on both banks.

Why It matters

Predators like seals, dolphins, otters, ospreys, herons, cormorants, and kingfishers all rely on these fish at various stages of their life cycles and are integral to Scotland’s wildlife. Without healthy fish populations, these iconic species also face decline. Paradoxically, their numbers have risen as fish stocks have dropped. Non-native goosanders, whose sole diet is young salmonids, have also proliferated to problematic levels.

A century ago, salmon were so abundant that farm labourers’ contracts limited them from eating salmon more than three times a week. At that time, salmon carcasses provided essential food for scavengers and acted as a natural fertiliser in the Highlands. If salmon were to go extinct, the repercussions would be vast and largely unknown, as Scotland has not faced such a loss since the end of the Ice Age.

Our Plan

Main River

Urgent restoration work is needed along the River Don. Key actions include installing large woody structures, reinforcing riverbanks, replanting riparian borders, and reconnecting the river to its floodplain. These efforts aim to reduce erosion, manage water flow, and create healthier habitats for fish and other wildlife.

Large Woody Structures

Installing large woody structures will help stabilise the riverbanks, slow the flow of water, and prevent further degradation. These structures also create critical habitats for fish, especially juveniles, offering shelter and protection from predators.

Mossat Burn

Mossat Burn, a key spawning tributary of the River Don, requires immediate attention. Currently, there is little cover for juvenile fish, leaving them vulnerable to predators. Shoals of fry and parr have been reported, but without proper habitat, their chances of survival are slim.

To improve the burn’s condition, porous log jams and large woody structures will be installed to enhance water flow and create protective habitats for young fish. This work is also scheduled for 2024.