Glenmorangie brings oysters back to Dornoch Firth

Glenmorangie has restored the population of oysters to the waters around the distillery in Dornoch Firth for the first time in 100 years.

Glenmorangie successfully returned the first oysters to the area in 100 years

The Scotch whisky distillery has been working with conservationists to return European oysters to the coastal waters around its distillery after they were wiped out by over-fishing in the area.

Glenmorangie has partnered with Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University and the Marine Conservation Society in a project to return oyster reefs to the nearby Dornoch Firth, in order to enhance biodiversity.

The distillery hopes that the oysters, renowned for their ability to filter water, will also act in tandem with the distillery’s new anaerobic digestion plant, to purify the water released by the distillery into the firth.

This year, the first oysters were returned to the region following their 100 year absence.

In recognition of its efforts to enhance the waters, Glenmorangie has received three separate environmental awards for its efforts.

The distillery received the Hydro Nation award for innovative work in water treatment, the Luxury With a Heart award at the Walpole British Luxury Awards and the Corporate Award at the RSPB’s Nature of Scotland awards.

Dr Peter Nelson, operations director at The Glenmorangie Company, said: “We’re delighted that our vision of protecting and sustaining the fragile beauty of Glenmorangie’s Highland surroundings has been celebrated by those who champion the environment. We hope these awards will further raise the profile of our project, as we, and our partners, dedicate efforts to the next stage.”

Work is now under way to secure funding for the project’s second phase, which aims to build an established reef within five years.