Large wooded structure project on the river Spey

In the Autumn of 2022, Jahama Highland Estates in partnership with , the Spey Catchment Initiative and the Spey Fishery Board completed a major habitat enhancement project on the upper headwaters of the river Spey. The work was supported by NatureScot’s Nature Restoration Fund to deliver the introduction of approximately 70-80 Large Woody Structures (windblown trees with root plates attached) into the river.

These structures mimic natural deadwood which is missing from the system due to the absence of bankside woodland in some sections of the river, and play a vital part in restoring natural physical processes in the river, which in turn create a diverse habitat of pools, gravels and riffles, essential for the different stage of the salmon lifecycle. As well as providing habitat for fish and other life to shelter from predators, high flows and increasing water temperatures, the wood will also boost food supplies for invertebrates and the fish which feed on them.

Jahama Highland Estates has also planted 90,000 Native trees at a location high in the upper headwaters of the river Spey at a site known as Creagan Breaca

This project is supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.