Lizzie Restores Scotland’s Hills Through Conservation Grazing
On Scotland’s west coast, Lizzie and her partner Alec are on a mission to rejuvenate the hills and glens, and they believe they may have found the solution
Watch how Lizzie are combining traditional wisdom with modern technology
Through conservation grazing guided by Monil, they’re restoring Scotland’s hills and glens, controlling bracken, and bringing biodiversity back to the land.
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The biggest challenge
“One of the biggest challenges here is invasive vegetation,” Lizzie explains.
“Bracken and millennia grass grow thick and tall, pushing out heather, mosses, wildflowers, and the insects and birds that depend on them.”
Left unchecked, these plants create a dense blanket that makes it difficult for the land to recover.
Deer and sheep tend to avoid the tougher grasses, nibbling instead on the delicate plants, which can make the problem worse.
Native Cattle and Targeted Grazing
“Native cattle are different", Lizzie says.
“They’ll eat the tougher grasses, trample bracken fronds, and open up space for other plants to return.”
But managing where cattle graze on open hills isn’t easy.
“Could a solution be found by combining the wisdom of the old ways with the best of new technology?”, Lizzie asks.
That’s where Monil comes in
With Monil’s virtual fencing system, Lizzie and Alec can guide the cattle to specific areas week by week, targeting dense patches of bracken in winter while letting other areas rest for nesting birds in spring.
“It’s low stress, and the cattle quickly learn where to stay,” Lizzie explains.
“This allows us to create a natural rotation that mimics how wild herds once moved, helping the land recover gradually.”
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Bringing the Hills Back to Life
The results are clear. Healthier soil, richer plant diversity, and more space for insects and ground-nesting birds.
Areas once dominated by bracken are opening up, giving heather, moss, and wildflowers a chance to thrive.
“With Monil, we can restore balance to these hills more gently and effectively, without miles of wire,” Lizzie says.
“Little by little, this is how we help the land heal.”
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