Irish Cattle Breed Deployed to Restore Scotland's Rainforests

A herd of rare Droimeann cattle, an ancient Irish breed, has been introduced to the Ardtornish Estate in Scotland's Argyllshire as part of an effort to restore the region's struggling rainforests. This marks the first time in centuries that these cattle have been brought to Scotland.

The dozen-strong herd will work across woodland, scrub, and rough grazing areas on the Morvern Peninsula. Their role involves breaking up dense bracken, managing coarse grasses, and creating conditions favorable for a wider variety of plants and habitats to recover. The project aims to integrate this ecological work with the production of organic food as the land regenerates.

Droimeann cattle, recognized by the Irish government as a native rare breed in 2020, possess a history documented for over 1,000 years. Once common in Ireland, their numbers dwindled as farming practices shifted towards more specialized breeds. These intelligent animals are known for their ability to forage across diverse terrains, making them suitable for the globally significant woodland and scrub at Ardtornish.

Alec Heywood, the farming partner leading the project at Ardtornish, stated that the cattle are valuable partners for the estate's restoration goals. He noted their ability to manage areas needing careful attention and to foster a richer plant diversity. The estate plans to establish a breeding herd once genetically suitable bulls are identified.

The arrival of the Droimeann cattle is featured on BBC Scotland’s Landward programme. This initiative is a new phase in a long-term strategy to heal land previously impacted by generations of heavy sheep and deer grazing. The estate has already reduced grazing pressure and established native woodland, and the cattle are now tasked with aiding recovery in specific areas.