This summer, more than 100 rangers and volunteer rangers were on the ground in the Cairngorms National Park. Many of these were seasonal rangers, getting involved in everything from engaging with visitors across popular routes to picking up litter and reporting issues like broken fences and gates, live fire sites, fallen trees or washed away paths. Another key role of the rangers is to help people connect with nature and explore the National Park in a responsible way through the positive promotion of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

As the winter months approach, the seasonal rangers are leaving the team after a busy summer. Joining the Cairngorms National Park Ranger Service in April 2024, and working across the National Park with permanent partner services, the seasonal rangers undertook over 1,398 patrols, engaged with over 6,800 people and removed 783 campfires and fire sites.

Lucy Ford, Ranger Service Manager at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: “I’d like to thank our seasonal rangers for all their hard work and dedication and wish them well on their next adventures. Working in partnership with partner and site-based ranger services across the National Park, our seasonal rangers provide crucial support to the permanent ranger teams.

“We’re lucky to have such a passionate, knowledgeable and experienced network of permanent, partner, seasonal and volunteer rangers in the National Park throughout the year who will carry on engagement activities throughout the winter months.”

If you’d like to know more about countryside ranger services in the National Park, including partners, and volunteer and seasonal opportunities, visit the dedicated page on our website here.

Pictured, left to right: Seasonal rangers Becki Redmond and Rhona Garry with NTS Mar Lodge rangers Lianne Starbuck–Stephen and Ben Dolphin.