Countryside Rangers Upcoming Events 2024
We are now using Eventbrite for some of our event bookings – check out our listings and follow us here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/high-life-highland-countryside-rangers-33097164665
All other bookings can be found on the High Life Highland booking site: https://booking.highlifehighland.com/
HLH Membership options can be found here: Join High Life Highland – High Life Highland
Explore the heart of the Scottish Highlands, with the eleven naturalists from the High Life Highland Ranger service. Our articles bring you news stories about wildlife and history; our events and conservation efforts.
Nature Unveiled | High Life Highland Ranger | Substack
Date: Wednesday 23rd October
Area: Easter Ross
Autumn Crafts at the Muir Hub
Join the Ranger for some crafts at the Muir Hub using natural materials. Materials will be provided but feel free to bring your own finds. This is a drop in event so no need to book. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Time: 10am – 12:30pm
Booking: No booking required
Contact: marcia.o’[email protected] 07788387634
Date: Wednesday 23rd October Area: Ardnamurchan
A Short Walk into Nature – Strontian
Join this local green health walk and help reconnect with the natural world. Enjoy some leisurely exercise, friendly company, great views, and fresh air. Following a different theme each week, find out a bit more about the nature on your doorstep. All our ‘short walks into nature’ series are flat, under an hour in length and suitable for all abilities and levels of fitness. Please disclose to your local ranger any medical or additional support needs you may have prior to the walk.
Time: 11am – 12pm
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Booking: Call or email to book
Contact: [email protected]
Date: Thursday 24th October
Area: Inverness /Nairn
Volunteer Day – Wildflower Seed Sowing on the new Butterfly Banks at Ardersier Common
The butterfly banks have been created at Ardersier Common. Now we are looking for volunteers to help with the final raking of the sand and sowing some of the seed (the rest will be sown in Spring) and possibly a bit of weeding around the edges where we hope to sow Yellow Rattle. It will also be an opportunity for anyone to drop in by and learn a little about the species all this hard work is for – the small blue butterfly and other pollinators. Cake will be available but please bring your own lunch, gloves and a rake if you have one.
Meet at the Ardersier Shoreline – opposite the Water Treatment Works any time from 11am onwards (ends at 3pm). Children are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Time: 11am-3pm
Contact: [email protected] 07771370959
Date: Friday 25th October
Area: Caithness
Family volunteer nurdle expedition! – at Dunnet beach.
Drop into the Seadrift Centre by Dunnet beach where we will arm you with all the information and tools you need to take part in the Great Nurdle Hunt. Help planet earth by collecting some microplastics to clean our beautiful beach. Explore the beach with your family and bring your finds back to the ranger centre to find out more. This is a self guided activity, drop in any time between 10am and 1pm, please dress for the weather.
Time: 10am – 1pm Booking ref: SOO000266
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Booking: Booking not required
Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]
01847 821531/07920182658
Date: Friday 25th October
Area: Easter Ross
School’s Out Puddles to Ponds at Fortrose Library
Freshwater habitats are amazing and have lots of alien creatures living in them! Join the Ranger for a close look in a portable pond. We will use digital microscopes to get a better view of these creatures and the different features they have to live underwater. We will then play some fun pond themed games.
This activity ii suitable for ages 7 and up. Parents are not required for this activity but are welcome to stay.
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Cost: Free to HLH full members and £2.50 for PAYG members
Booking: High Life Highland Activities
Contact: marcia.o’[email protected] 07789084236
Date: Tuesday 29th October
Area: Wester Ross
Ullapool Nature Tots for Pre-schoolers – Hibernating Hoglets, Ullapool Library
Nature Tots is aimed at children under 5 and their carers. It includes nature stories and activities. This month our topic is all about hedgehogs and hibernation. This is (hopefully) part inside and part outside so please come prepared for going out.
Part of the Highlands and Islands Climate Festival which is running through September.
Booking is not required, just turn up. Please only donate what you can afford. Suggested donation is £2.50. Donations can be made in cash or using a QR code at the event.
Time: 10.30am – 11.30am
Booking: Not required
Contact: [email protected] M: 07917307499
Date: Wednesday 30th October
Area: Sutherland
Lichen Safari at Big Burn
Do you like Lichen? Have you never heard of it before but interested to know more? Join the Ranger for a short walk to discover a whole new world!
Lichen are a combination of fungi and algae working together to support each other and they come in a variety of colours, shapes, sizes and forms. They were one of the first organisms to start colonising the earth and they can tell us a lot about our environment. They are well worth getting to know better.
Time: 1pm – 3pm
Booking: Please click here to book
Contact: marcia.o’[email protected] 07788387634
Date: Wednesday 30th October
Area: Inverness
Discover Aldourie Woods and its Stone Circle in Autumn.
Join John the High Life Highland Ranger on a short 4km walk to explore this magnificent woodland far enough away from the busyness of Dores Beach!
Walk beneath ancient oaks, spot woodland wildlife, enjoy Autumn colours and explore the stone circle, all accompanied by birdsong.
Meet at the car park next to Aldourie Primary School (not the smaller car park nearer the woods). What three words: glare.fortified.scripted
Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. £5 per person
Time: 2-4pm Cost: £5 per person
Booking: Click here to book
Contact: [email protected] 07771370959
Date: Wednesday 30th October
Area: Lochaber
Spooktacular Halloween in the Glen
Drop in between 5.30-7.30pm to the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre to take part in our annual spooky trail and Halloween event. Come dressed up, bring along a carved pumpkin and be prepared for a fun night. Fire with toasted marshmallows, coffin feely box, apple dookin, crafts, tea and coffee and lots more going alongside the trail.
Time: 5.30pm – 7.30pm Booking: Details coming soon!
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Contact: [email protected]
Date: Wednesday 30th October
Area: Wester Ross
Autumn along the River Broom, Lael
We will be looking for tree seeds, studying autumnal sights and enjoying a meander alongside the River Broom in this 4km circular walk for adults.
This sessions price has been set to FREE. We ask for donations to help with our work, which goes towards education about and protection of the nature of the Highlands. Please give what you feel you can afford. Booking is required. Suggested donation for this event is £5 per person or £10 to further support our work.
Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm
Booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/high-life-highland-countryside-rangers-33097164665
Contact: [email protected] M: 07917307499
Date: Wednesday 6th November Area: Ardnamurchan
A Short Walk into Nature – Strontian
Join this local green health walk and help reconnect with the natural world. Enjoy some leisurely exercise, friendly company, great views, and fresh air. Following a different theme each week, find out a bit more about the nature on your doorstep. All our ‘short walks into nature’ series are flat, under an hour in length and suitable for all abilities and levels of fitness. Please disclose to your local ranger any medical or additional support needs you may have prior to the walk.
Time: 11am – 12pm
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Booking: Call or email to book
Contact: [email protected]
Date: Thursday 14th November Area: Lochaber
Christmas decorations
Want to try something new while giving yourself some You Time, come along and join the Highland Heritage Ranger on this relaxed workshop where we will make some needle-felted Christmas decorations
This 2-hour workshop is part of the monthly You Time traditional craft series where you can try new crafts and learn new skills in an informal, relaxed setting over a cup of tea and biscuits.
Tea, coffee, and biscuits are provided along with full tuition and equipment.
Time: 1-3pm
Cost: Free for full HLH Members, £6 for pay as you go members
Booking: Details coming soon!
Contact: [email protected]
Date: Thursday 14th November
Area: Wester Ross
Ullapool Nature Club for Kids, Owls and their Pellets, Ullapool Library
Nature Club is a gathering in our community library to celebrate and experience nature. It is open to all children but aimed at primary school age.
This month, our session is part of Wester Ross Dark Skies Festival and we will be playing games and looking and learning about owls and what our local owls have been eating by dissecting their pellets.
Children 5 and over can stay without parents and younger children can attend with parents or carers.
Booking is not required, just turn up. Suggested donation is £2.50 per child. Please only donate what you can afford, £2.50 is a guide only. Parents are welcome to stay and participate.
Time: 6pm – 7.15pm
Booking: not required
Contact: [email protected] M: 07917307499
Date: Friday 15th November
Area: Wester Ross
The Full Moon and the Fire: Wester Ross Dark Skies Festival, location TBC
We are hoping for a clear night lit up by the full moon to enjoy a hot drink around the fire as we tell stories from real life, mystery objects and books. Suitable for families and adults too. This is part of Wester Ross Dark Skies Festival organised by the Wester Ross Biosphere.
Time: 5pm – 6.30pm
Booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/high-life-highland-countryside-rangers-33097164665
Contact: [email protected] M: 07917307499
Date: Wednesday 20th November Area: Ardnamurchan
A Short Walk into Nature – Strontian
Join this local green health walk and help reconnect with the natural world. Enjoy some leisurely exercise, friendly company, great views, and fresh air. Following a different theme each week, find out a bit more about the nature on your doorstep. All our ‘short walks into nature’ series are flat, under an hour in length and suitable for all abilities and levels of fitness. Please disclose to your local ranger any medical or additional support needs you may have prior to the walk.
Time: 11am – 12pm
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Booking: Call or email to book
Contact: [email protected]
Date: Tuesday 26th November
Area: Wester Ross
Ullapool Nature Tots for Pre-schoolers – Nocturnal Animals, Ullapool Library
Nature Tots is aimed at children under 5 and their carers. It includes nature stories and activities. This month our topic is all about hedgehogs and hibernation. This is (hopefully) part inside and part outside so please come prepared for going out.
Part of Wester Ross Dark Skies Festival running through November.
Booking is not required, just turn up. This event’s price has been set to FREE. We ask for donations to help with our work, which goes towards education about and protection of the nature of the Highlands. Please only donate what you can afford. Suggested donation is £2.50. Donations can be made in cash or using a QR code at the event.
Time: 10.30am – 11.30am
Booking: Not required
Contact: [email protected] M: 07917307499
Date: Wednesday 4th December Area: Ardnamurchan
A Short Walk into Nature – Strontian
Join this local green health walk and help reconnect with the natural world. Enjoy some leisurely exercise, friendly company, great views, and fresh air. Following a different theme each week, find out a bit more about the nature on your doorstep. All our ‘short walks into nature’ series are flat, under an hour in length and suitable for all abilities and levels of fitness. Please disclose to your local ranger any medical or additional support needs you may have prior to the walk.
Time: 11am – 12pm
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Booking: Call or email to book
Contact: [email protected]
Date: Thursday 5th December Area: Lochaber
Christmas Wreaths – Share some You Time
Want to try something new while giving yourself some You Time, come along and join the Highland Heritage Ranger on this relaxed workshop where we create Christmas wreaths from willow and natural vegetation
This 2-hour workshop is part of the monthly You Time traditional craft series where you can try new crafts and learn new skills in an informal, relaxed setting over a cup of tea and biscuits.
Tea, coffee, and biscuits are provided along with full tuition and equipment.
Time: 1pm – 3pm or 5.30pm – 7.30pm :
Cost: Free for full HLH Members, £6 for pay as you go members
Booking: Details coming soon!
Contact: [email protected]
Date: Wednesday 11th December
Area: Wester Ross
Guided Walk to the Fairy Lochs, Badachro near Gairloch
This 6km circular walk takes in mountain views and a World War 2 plane crash site. We will be looking for wildlife and nature as we go and having a picnic at the lochs.
Please book your place by visiting our Eventbrite page (link below)
This sessions price has been set to FREE. We ask for donations to help with our work, which goes towards education about and protection of the nature of the Highlands. Please give what you feel you can afford. Booking is required. Suggested donation for this event is £5 per person or £10 to further support our work.
Time: 11am – 2pm
Booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/high-life-highland-countryside-rangers-33097164665
Contact: [email protected] M: 07917307499
Date: Tuesday 17th December
Area: Wester Ross
Ullapool Nature Tots for Pre-schoolers – Reindeers and Robins, Ullapool Library
Nature Tots is aimed at children under 5 and their carers. It includes nature stories and activities. This month our topic is all about Christmassy animals. This is (hopefully) part inside and part outside so please come prepared for going out.
Booking is not required, just turn up. This event’s price has been set to FREE. We ask for donations to help with our work, which goes towards education about and protection of the nature of the Highlands. Please only donate what you can afford. Suggested donation is £2.50. Donations can be made in cash or using a QR code at the event.
Time: 10.30am – 11.30am
Booking: Not required
Contact: [email protected] M: 07917307499
Date: Wednesday 18th December Area: Ardnamurchan
A Short Walk into Nature – Strontian
Join this local green health walk and help reconnect with the natural world. Enjoy some leisurely exercise, friendly company, great views, and fresh air. Following a different theme each week, find out a bit more about the nature on your doorstep. All our ‘short walks into nature’ series are flat, under an hour in length and suitable for all abilities and levels of fitness. Please disclose to your local ranger any medical or additional support needs you may have prior to the walk.
Time: 11am – 12pm
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Booking: Call or email to book
Contact: [email protected]
Date: Thursday 19th December
Area: Wester Ross
Ullapool Nature Club for Kids, Christmas Presents for Wildlife, Ullapool Library
Nature Club is a gathering in our community library to celebrate and experience nature. It is open to all children but aimed at primary school age.
This month, we are thinking about the animals living through the cold winter and making some gifts for them. We will be making bird feeders and more.
Children 5 and over can stay without parents and younger children can attend with parents or carers.
Booking is not required, just turn up. This event’s price has been set to FREE. We ask for donations to help with our work, which goes towards education about and protection of the nature of the Highlands. Suggested donation is £2.50 per child. Please only donate what you can afford, £2.50 is a guide only. Parents are welcome to stay and participate.
Time: 6pm – 7.15pm
Booking: not required
Contact: [email protected] M: 07917307499
