Fourteen pupils from Alford and Aboyne Academies have completed a 5 day programme to become Cairngorm National Park Junior Rangers.

They took part in conservation and outdoor activities at Burn o’Vat, Mar Lodge, Balmoral and Glen Tanar during the week, finding out about the Cairngorms National Park and why it is such a special place.

The programme was organised by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) and delivered by Rangers from Aberdeenshire Council, SNH Burn o’Vat, Glen Tanar Estate, Balmoral Estate and Mar Lodge Estate. The canoeing was provided by Adventure Aberdeen.

The Junior Rangers Project is co-ordinated and funded by the CNPA and run under the guidelines of the EUROPARC Federation, of which the Cairngorms National Park is a member.

Eric Baird, the CNPA’s vice convener, said: “It was really good to get the support of the schools and parents for the Project and the commitment of the young people themselves to the programme.”