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