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Volunteer rangers repairing paths high above Loch Avon

Volunteer Rangers

Welcome to our Volunteer Ranger information page. Here you can find everything you need to know about what Volunteer Rangers do and how you can get involved.

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Volunteer Rangers through the treeWho are our Volunteer Rangers?

Cairngorms National Park Volunteer Rangers help care for the largest National Park in the UK and inspire others with their love of this special place.

They:

  • Are ambassadors for the Cairngorms National Park, who share their love and knowledge of the area, inspiring local people and visitors
  • Dedicate their time and skills to help take care of the National Park
  • Volunteer alongside a range of participating ranger services, land owners and land managers across the Cairngorms National Park

Why not become a Volunteer Ranger?

This is a great role for people who love nature and the outdoors, enjoy meeting new people, being out and about in the fresh air, and who want to learn new skills! You’ll meet an incredible variety of people, have the chance to learn new skills, work as a team, and spend time in some of the most spectacular landscapes in the country.

You’ll be provided with a uniform and can expect to start out by being based within busier areas of the National Park. You’ll be meeting and engaging with members of the public sharing information and answering questions, walking popular routes well-used by visitors, and will have the chance to become involved with more practical conservation and monitoring activities.


Your questions about Volunteer Rangers answered:

We ask that you could commit to an average of two opportunities per month over the course of a year, either at the weekend or during the week. Some Volunteer Rangers choose to give more than this and we recognise that in some months volunteering might not always be possible for you.

Being a Volunteer Ranger would be great for someone….

  • With enthusiasm and a love for the natural environment
  • With good communication skills, so that you’re comfortable meeting and interacting with members of the public
  • Who can work as part of a team
  • With a good general knowlge about the local area you’d like to volunteer, and would like to learn more about the National Park
  • Who is willing to travel (we are able to cover resaonable travel expenses)
  • Aged 18 years or over

The Cairngorms National Park is the largest National Park in the UK. We look for volunteers to get involved across this area. Volunteer Rangers have the opportunity to volunteer in the areas closest to them, whilst also being able to get to know areas that are further afield.

Volunteer Ranger activities include practical conservation tasks, as well as opportunities to engage with members of the public. Patrolling paths and trails both in communities and more remotely is a key element of what engagement means for us, where we ask Volunteer Rangers to share leaflets, general information, positive guidance, and litter pick along the way.

Practical conversation tasks include upland path maintenance, invasive species removal, fence line repairs and patrolling community paths around the National Park. Opportunities also include volunteering with Junior Rangers, Health Walks, the Badaguish Dementia Centre and other nature for health groups.

Much of your activity will be undertaken in partnership with ranger services across the National Park, giving you the opportunity to volunteer alongside experienced paid ranger services either through engagement activity or practical conservation.

Training is provided over the course of two to three months, at varying locations in the National Park. Some of these training sessions will be online, others will be in person. Training includes a first aid qualification, a session on safe group work, a session on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, how to share guidance positively, safe tool usage, and inductions to specific sites across the National Park.

Volunteer Rangers are provided with a range of clothing and kit as part of their role. We ensure that clothing has a visible Cairngorms National Park logo on it so Volunteer Rangers are identifiable when out and about. We also provide travel expenses to ensure you are not out of pocket for your journeys to and from volunteering opportunities.

We would encourage you to read into the Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan 2022-27 to find out more about what we do. (Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan 2022-27 – Cairngorms National Park Authority LINK). The nature and climate crisis requires leadership and action, and this plan sets out both. Habitat, wildlife, and communities have experienced significant change over the years, with volunteering playing a key role in positive change.

I’d like to chat to someone about the role

We’d be really pleased to speak with you and discuss any questions you might have. Or, if you’d like the information on this page in another format, please also let us know. You can reach us via

How do I apply?

Applications are open from December the 13 2023, to January the 22 2024. Please be aware that a reference form will need to be completed within that time frame. Follow the link below to begin your application: https://bit.ly/3QQMFJZ. Please note that the recruitment portal in places refers to ‘Job’. Please be assured that this is a voluntary role.

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