Willows of several species dominate the montane scrub found on the Breadalbane hills, including Ben Lawers. One of these, the woolly willow, is a national rarity and covered by a Biodiversity Action Plan. Most of the other species are classified as ‘scarce’ as they are more widely distributed in Scotland, but that are nonetheless in danger of declining to local extinction on many sites. The work at Ben Lawers aims to reinstate viable populations of mountain willow, downy willow, whortle-leaved willow, dark-leaved willow and eared willow as well as the woolly willow.

Willows have male and female plants, so a population needs both sexes in close proximity to ensure seed production. This situation no longer exists at many sites, so the proximate aim of the restoration is to establish such populations capable of generating a regular crop of seeds.

Seed collection, propagation and planting are now established as part of the ongoing work programme, with regular monitoring to measure success of the projects. Growth rates are slow at high altitude, and the slow, gradual change in the vegetation needed to restore the species and their habitat also requires a long-term approach.