Highland Council Countryside Rangers get ready for High Life transfer

25th September 2017

The Highland Council Countryside Rangers have yet again had a busy summer getting people out into the countryside, exploring and enjoying wonderful wildlife and scenery.

Over the summer months the team have put on over 250 events involving over 4000 people. Favourites with kids were pond dipping sessions near Grantown, Muir of Ord, Ardgay, Lairg and Culloden and rockpooling at Cromarty, Portmahomack, Nairn, Gairloch, Clachtoll, Thurso, Rosemarkie and Helmsdale. Guided hill walks, whale watching and wildlife walks proved popular too. There have been plenty of special events, including the Glen Nevis Fun day, the Clachtoll Sand Sculpture day, the Aviemore Top Dogs Day Out and the Caithness Science Festival.

From 1st October The Highland Council's Countryside Ranger service will formally transfer over to High Life Highland. It will be business as usual for the Rangers so local people of all ages and visitors to the Highlands can look forward to taking part in a wide range of exciting future activities and events.

Chair of the Council's Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Allan Henderson said: "In the last few years the number of Rangers has fallen from 22 to 10.5FTE to meet saving targets. By transferring the team to High Life Highland there is a great opportunity for the Ranger Service to continue to play its’ important role in our schools and communities."

Commenting on the transfer Ian Murray, chief Executive at High Life Highland said: "The Ranger team bring with them a wide range of expertise and experience, adding to that of HLH’s existing outdoor activities team. Also, by integrating Ranger services with others across the wider charity such as adult education, youth work and sports development, I am confident that we will be able to enhance the overall package of activities on offer."

There are still lots of Rangers events people can take part in during 2017, especially during the October school holidays. Activities to keep kids busy include Autumn Arts days in Glen Nevis, Lairg and Nairn and fun days in the Merkinch area of Inverness and Salen in Lochaber. There are also hillwalks and events running as part of the Highland Archaeology Festival.

To find out more about all the events and activities visit www. Highland.gov.uk/outdoorhighland or email ranger@highland.gov.uk

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

 
Highland's Growth Ambitions: Billions in Investment Promised, But Can the Numbers Really Add Up?

Highland Council has set out an ambitious vision for the economic future of the Highlands, with the possibility of attracting between £10 billion and £16 billion of public and private investment over the next 25 years.   On paper, it is an impressive prospect.  

Today : Local Authority

Caithness Committee approves six Community Regeneration Fund applications - £237,155

The Caithness Area Committee which met (Monday 2 November 2026) has approved six applications submitted to the Community Regeneration Fund (CRF).   This approval securing significant investment to support local projects that will benefit communities across the north.  

31/10/2026 : Local Authority

Caithness at the Sharp End: Broadband, Buses and Public Services Under Pressure

From the loss of a direct bus link to Inverness to uncertainty over rural broadband, a difficult council budget and the future of community organisations, the past week has provided plenty for Caithness residents to think about.  But there have also been celebrations, local achievements and signs of community spirit.  

31/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council Faces a £39.2 Million Budget Gap: Will Council Taxpayers and Services Pay the Price?

Highland Council is facing another difficult financial challenge, with councillors being told that a further £39.2 million in savings must be found over the next three years to balance the authority's finances.   The announcement, made at the full council meeting on 29 October 2026, represents a substantial deterioration in the financial outlook.  

30/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council Visitor Levy Consultation In-person Events Announced

Residents, businesses, community groups and visitors are encouraged to continue to take part in a series of public engagement events to learn more about the proposed Highland Visitor Levy and how they can contribute to the statutory public consultation.   In addition to the online webinars held earlier in the process, a programme of in-person events will continue throughout November.  

30/10/2026 : Local Authority

The Highland Council agrees budget engagement programme

Members of the public, community groups, the business sector and young people will be invited to share their views on how The Highland Council balances its budget and plans spend over the next three years.   The Council needs to find £39.2 million of additional savings over the next three years to deliver a balanced financial plan, driven largely by the impact of rising costs and the ongoing impact of wider economic events.  

29/10/2026 : Local Authority

The Hidden Cost of a 1% Capital Budget Cut: Could Scotland's Schools, Roads and Highland Investment Plans Be Affected?

The Chancellor's decision to reduce departmental capital budgets by 1% could have consequences well beyond Westminster.  Scotland faces a reduction in capital funding, while Highland Council is embarking on a £2.1 billion investment programme that includes a proposed £100 million education campus in Thurso.  

28/10/2026 : Local Authority

When Fuel Prices Rise, Who Pays the Bill for Public Services?

Councils, the NHS and other public bodies face a difficult choice when rising diesel and energy costs threaten the contractors they depend on.  School transport in rural Scotland illustrates the problem.  

27/10/2026 : Local Authority

Gaelic Spending Under Scrutiny: Can Highland Council Afford Another Post While Jobs Are Under Pressure?

The council has legal responsibilities to support Gaelic, but with budgets stretched and services facing difficult choices.  Residents are entitled to ask how priorities are decided across the Highlands.  

24/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Libraries, Leisure Centres and Local Culture Face Growing Pressure as Council Charges Rise

Audit Scotland warns that cuts to community services could deepen inequalities, while councils lack the evidence to measure the full consequences.   Scotland’s councils are spending less on culture and leisure services while asking the public to pay more to use them, raising questions about the future of libraries, swimming pools, sports facilities, museums and other important parts of community life.