As the UK swings between record-breaking rainfall and increasingly severe summer droughts, Scotland’s whisky-producing Speyside region is emerging as a testing ground for a new way of managing water one that works with nature instead of against it.
After the UK’s warmest and sunniest year on record in 2025 triggered droughts and hosepipe bans, several distilleries in Speyside were forced to temporarily shut down due to restrictions on water abstraction. The region, home to roughly half of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries, depends heavily on reliable river flows for production. Now, researchers and industry leaders are asking whether the heavy winter rains currently causing flooding could instead be captured and stored to protect against future summer shortages.
Storing Winter Rain for Summer Security
In the headwaters of the River Livet a key water source for the Glenlivet Distillery land managers are experimenting with “leaky dams.” These small wooden barriers are built across upland streams to slow the flow of water during heavy rain. Instead of rushing downstream and contributing to floods, the water spreads into surrounding soils and replenishes groundwater reserves.
The principle is simple: water stored in soils and aquifers moves much more slowly than surface runoff, sustaining river flows during dry periods. By temporarily holding rainfall in the landscape, rivers can continue flowing even after prolonged dry spells.
Other nature-based measures are also being deployed, including peatland restoration, wetland creation and strategic tree planting. These interventions increase the land’s capacity to absorb and retain water while also improving biodiversity, soil health and carbon capture.
Research in upland catchments in Cumbria and West Yorkshire supports this approach. Academic reviews of natural flood management show that slowing water movement and increasing storage in soils consistently reduces peak flood levels while enhancing resilience during droughts.
Lessons Beyond Whisky Country
Experts say three key lessons from Speyside could guide wider UK water management. First, location matters. Planting trees or building dams only delivers meaningful impact when placed strategically near river sources or in areas with soils capable of absorbing water.
Second, projects must deliver multiple benefits. Compared to traditional engineered flood defences or large reservoirs, nature-based solutions are often cheaper and provide environmental co-benefits. However, trade-offs exist. In some areas, large-scale tree planting can reduce summer water availability because trees consume significant amounts of water. Outcomes depend on local climate, soil type and species selection.
Third, stronger governance is essential. While businesses such as distilleries have clear incentives to secure water supplies, public funding for landscape restoration remains fragmented. Clear planning frameworks and financial incentives are needed to encourage farmers and landowners to participate.
Managing landscapes more effectively will not eliminate floods or prevent all droughts. But by holding back heavy rainfall and releasing it gradually, regions like Speyside demonstrate how the UK could build resilience to increasingly extreme weather patterns.
In an era of climate uncertainty, every river carrying excess floodwater to the sea represents a missed opportunity. Scotland’s whisky country shows that planning for heavy rain today could safeguard water supplies for the summers of tomorrow.