Glenmorangie and Heriot-Watt: Sustaining Scotland’s natural heritage through oyster restoration

Glenmorangie, a globally renowned malt whisky distiller in the Scottish Highlands, aimed to exceed regulatory standards by addressing the remaining 5% of organic by-products in its wastewater after anaerobic digestion (AD). Determined to further reduce its environmental footprint, the distillery sought a solution that would simultaneously enhance marine biodiversity in the adjacent Dornoch Firth.

Solution

As part of Glenmorangie’s long-term sustainability strategy, the Dornoch Environmental Enhancement Project (DEEP) emerged through a collaboration with Heriot-Watt University’s GRID (Global Research Innovation Discovery) ecosystem and the Marine Conservation Society. Under the guidance of Professor Bill Sanderson, a marine biodiversity expert, native European oysters—extinct in the firth since the 19th century—were systematically reintroduced, with over 20,000 oysters now thriving. By 2024, the figure grew to 100,000. The ultimate goal is to restore up to four million oysters by 2030, recreating natural reefs that aid water filtration, support marine life, and potentially store carbon.

Impact for Glenmorangie

• Enhanced Sustainability Credentials: DEEP underpins Glenmorangie’s brand positioning as an environmental steward, bolstered by media coverage worth more than £35 million in advertising equivalence and reaching up to 865 million people worldwide.
• Operational Benefits: The oysters naturally filter residual organic matter, further improving wastewater quality without necessitating additional industrial processes. This strengthens Glenmorangie’s licence to operate, aligns with net-zero goals, and safeguards the whisky maker’s long-term presence in the region.
• Economic & Environmental Value: A Scottish Government assessment suggests DEEP could add £3 million to the rural economy and create 50 full-time jobs in the native oyster supply chain, reinforcing Glenmorangie’s role as both a key regional employer and a catalyst for greener growth.

Looking ahead

Heriot-Watt scientists continue to study the reef’s potential for carbon sequestration, biodiversity uplift, and water purification, offering further environmental gains. With Glenmorangie’s commitment and GRID’s applied research approach, DEEP remains a model for industry-academic collaborations—proving that even large-scale commercial processes can be harmoniously integrated with nature, driving economic resilience and global recognition for sustainable innovation.