Countryside Rangers Upcoming Events 2025
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 twelve 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
MAY EVENTS
Date: Tuesday 20th May
Area: Assynt, Sutherland
Amazing Achmelvich
Guided walk to see early orchids, jewelled rocks and marvellous machair as we walk along a coastline steeped in crofting history, to the old mill at Altanabradhan. We will see early specialists and some migrant birds. The total length of the walk is 6km, over rough path with a few steep steps. Suitable for families. Bring packed lunch. Meet at Achmelvich beach car park. Grid ref: NC 058248.
Time: 11am – 3pm
Cost £12 per person
Booking: Click here to book
Contact: [email protected] Tel:07825 116516
Date: Tuesday 20th May
Area: Caithness
Bumblebee Safari at Thurso Riverside
As part of ‘World Bee Day’ join the HLH countryside ranger at Thurso riverside paths and enjoy a guided bumblebee safari. Learn how to identify the different species we may see there and discover all about their fascinating life cycle. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. A kind donation on the day will help us as a charity, to continue providing activities such as this. Booking is essential.
Further details Paul Castle 07827281481
Time: 3pm – 4.30pm Booking ref: ACT002815
Booking: High Life Highland Activities
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 21st May Area: Caithness
GREEN LIBRARIES KIDS NATURE CLUB, WICK
Time: 3pm – 4.30pm Spaces limited, please email to book.
“Under the seaweed” Meet and learn about some seashore critters, fun with microscopes and a craft.
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 21st May
Area: Sutherland
Assynt Conservation Volunteer Day, Lochinver
Join the Ranger and Assynt Field Club volunteers (over 18yrs only) to do some fun conservation work with like-minded people. We might be clearing small regenerating spruce trees, digging a pond, building a boardwalk or other activities. Contact Andy beforehand to check meeting place on the day. All tools/gloves are provided and enjoy a warm drink and blether at the end.
Time: 10am – 12 noon
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Booking: Contact Andy
Contact: [email protected] Tel:07825 116516
Date: Saturday 24th May
Area: Caithness
Volunteer Work Day at Castlehill
Join the countryside ranger and other willing volunteers at a drop-in work day, undertaking vital wildflower meadow management at Castlehill, Caithness. Some tools are provided but please bring spades and wheelbarrows if you can. Stay as long as you are able. Refreshments will be provided at the end. Over 18yrs only.
Further details Paul Castle 07827281481
Time: 10.30am – 1pm Booking ref: ACT002816
Booking: High Life Highland Activities
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: Saturday 24th May
Area: Sutherland
Young Minds for Nature, Lochinver
Open to anyone between 11 and 24 years old, to do positive conservation tasks in the Culag Community Woods in Lochinver, such as ditch digging, planting trees, removing small spruce trees, digging ponds, building shelters etc using hand tools. This is part of Assynt’s well-being project. Meet at Assynt Leisure Centre. Bring old clothes and wellies. All tools/gloves are provided.
Time: 11am – 1pm Booking ref: ACT002625
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Booking: High Life Highland Activities or at Assynt Leisure Centre
Contact: [email protected] Tel:07825 116516
Date: Monday 26th May
Area: Lochaber
Green Library Nature Club
Join us at Caol library for crafts, nature and lots of fun. We will be looking at wildlife themes and taking part in craft and practical activities to help nature. For 7-12yr olds.
Time: 3.30pm – 4.30pm
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Booking: N/A
Contact: [email protected]
Date: Tuesday 27th May
Area: Caithness
Dunnet Beach Clean for Orca Watch
As part of the Orca Watch Week of events, join the HLH countryside ranger, Orca Watch volunteers and Caithness Beach Clean Group at Dunnet Beach, for a volunteer beach clean. We will focus on the smaller items of plastic, often missed during regular beach cleans. These small plastics don’t go away and get broken down to smaller and smaller pieces, damaging the environment. Let’s make a real effort to remove as much as we can from this very popular beach. Drop-in activity, stay as long as you are able. Gloves and bags will be provided. Over 18 years old only.
Further details Paul Castle 07827281481
Time: 11am – 1pm Booking ref: ACT002814
Booking: High Life Highland Activities
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: Tuesday 27th May
Area: Easter Ross
Dingwall Nature Club
Nature Club is a gathering in our community library to celebrate, learn about and experience nature.
It is open to all children between 7 and 12 years old. Booking is not required, just turn up. Parents are welcome to stay and participate.
Topics coming up include making homes for wildlife, otters and spring.
Time: 3.30pm – 5pm
Booking: Booking not required
Contact: marcia.o’[email protected]
Date: Wednesday 28th May
Area: Wester Ross
Guided Coastal Walk: Ullapool to Rhue for World Otter Day, Ullapool
Join this 6km coastal walk between Ullapool and Rhue on Loch Broom. We will be looking for wildlife and taking in the views of the Summer Isles as we walk.
The 28th of May is also World Otter Day so we will have a particular focus on these local mammals and their signs along the coast.
The route is rough in places over rocks and pebbly coast, there is not much of a path.
Time: 11am – 2.30pm
Cost for this walk is £12 per person return lift to Ullapool included.
Booking: Book on Eventbrite
Contact: [email protected] M: 07917307499
Date: Friday 30th May
Area: Caithness
Whale & Dolphin Watch at Sandside Head
Join the countryside ranger at Sandside Head in Reay, north Caithness, to look for whales and dolphins during Orca Watch Week. Use our telescopes and bring your binoculars to learn about the species we may hopefully see in this area. Any sightings will be added to the Sea Watch Foundation sightings recording programme. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Dogs are not welcome along at these activities. Donations are welcome at the event to help us to continue to provide such activities as these. Booking is essential.
Further details Paul Castle 07827281481
Time: 11am – 1pm Booking ref: ACT002777
Booking: High Life Highland Activities
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: Friday 30th May
Area: Ardnamurchan
Green Library Nature Club
Bring your “grab and go” or packed lunch along to the Sunart Centre for a supervised lunch hour followed by nature themed activities in the library and outdoors. Come dressed for the weather and bring your sense of adventure!
Time: 12.30pm – 3pm
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Booking: booking is essential – drop into the library or contact Eilidh-Ann
Contact: [email protected]
JUNE EVENTS
Date: Sunday 1st June
Area: Ardnamurchan
Volunteer Day – Sunart Footpaths
Join Ranger Eilidh-Ann and Sunart Community Company on this regular volunteer session. This month we will be making improvements to the Ardnastaing Beach path so please bring gloves, loppers, hand saws and spades. No need to book – this is a drop-in activity.
Time: 1.30pm – 4pm.
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: Tuesday 3rd June
Area: Assynt, Sutherland
The amazing limestone valley at Inchnadamph
Guided walk with the Ranger in the valley of the trolls (Traligill) to see stunning orchids, colourful mountain avens and rare plants such as the Scottish Asphodel. With a backdrop of dry riverbeds and caves this is a walk not to be missed. Bring packed lunch. Meet at Inchnadamph car park. Grid ref: NC 251216. Please text Andy if you need a lift 07825 116516.
Time: 11am – 4pm
Cost: £12 per person
Booking: Click here to book via Eventbrite
Contact: [email protected] Tel:07825 116516
Date: Thursday 5th June
Area: Wester Ross
Ullapool Nature Club for Kids – World Environment Day, Ullapool Library and Outside
Nature Club is a gathering for children in our community library to learn about, celebrate and experience nature of the Highlands.
This month, we are celebrating World Environment Day by doing some things for our local wildlife and their environments.
As always there will be games and activities and APPLES for snacks!
Children aged 5 and over can stay without parents and younger children can attend with parents or carers. Parents of any children are welcome to stay and participate.
Time: 6pm – 7.15pm
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Booking: not required
Contact: [email protected] M: 07917307499
Date: Tuesday 10th June
Area: Wester Ross
Ullapool Nature Tots for pre-school children – Your Senses in Nature, Ullapool Library
Nature Tots is aimed at children under 5 and their carers. It includes nature stories and activities. This time our topic is our senses. We will be heading outside to look at textures in nature, tastes, smells, colours and sounds.
Time: 10.30am – 11.30am
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Booking: Not required
Contact: [email protected] M: 07917307499
Date: Tuesday 10th June
Area: Assynt, Sutherland
The Secrets of Glen Leireag, Nedd near Drumbeg
Visit the lost township of Glen Leireag with Iron-age souterrain and discover the secrets of this magical woodland glen full of wildlife surprises. Seek out moorland wildlife and golden eagles soaring in the shadow of Quinag. Please bring warm, waterproof clothing, good walking boots and a snack. Meet at Nedd Bridge, 2 miles east of Drumbeg. Grid ref: NC 148315.
Time: 11am – 3pm
Cost: £12 per person
Booking: Click here to book via Eventbrite
Contact: [email protected] Tel:07825 116516
Date: Thursday 12th June
Area: Wester Ross
Guided Walk: The Coffin Route, Clachan, near Ullapool
Linking communities on Loch Broom and Little Loch Broom, this walk route goes steeply up hill before flattening out and descending again. The path is rough and good fitness is required. You will be met at the top with views over to the hills in Fisherfield and the Fannichs inland and to the Coigach hills in the other direction.
As always, we will be taking our time and looking for wildlife as we go.
The aim is to car share and complete the route in one direction only (10km). Once bookings are made, this will be worked out.
Time: 11 am – 4pm (plus car shuffling time)
Cost for this walk is £12 per person.
Booking: Book on Eventbrite
Contact: [email protected] M: 07917307499
Date: Friday 13th June
Area: Sutherland
Balblair Rare
This will be a short guided walk from the car parking area at the entrance to Balblair woods at Loch Fleet, Golspie. From the path we will be able to see the beautiful woodland wildflowers One-flowered wintergreen and Twinflower. These flowers are particularly rare in Scotland today as they are ancient native pinewood specialists, they are not worth missing!
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Booking: Click here to book
Contact: marcia.o’[email protected]
Date: Thursday 17th June
Area: Assynt, Sutherland
Bone Caves, Inchnadamph
Guided walk back in time to just after the ice-age where the bones of reindeer, polar bears and even humans were discovered in the caves. Stout footwear is essential. It is a good path but steep in places. Total distance for this walk is 5km. Suitable for families but childen must be over eight years old. Meet at the Bone Caves car park 4km south of Inchnadamph. Grid Ref: NC250200.
Time: 11am – 2pm
Cost: £10 per person
Booking: Click here to book via Eventbrite
Contact: [email protected] Tel: 01971 511778
Date: Wednesday 18th June
Area: Caithness
GREEN LIBRARIES KIDS NATURE CLUB, WICK
Time: 3pm – 4.30pm Spaces limited, please email to book.
“Exploring the outdoors” A nature-spotting walk along the riverside.
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: Monday 23rd June
Area: Lochaber
Green Library Nature Club
Join us at Caol library for crafts, nature and lots of fun. We will be looking at wildlife themes and taking part in craft and practical activities to help nature. For 7-12yr olds.
Time: 3.30pm – 4.30pm
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Booking: N/A
Contact: [email protected]
Date: Tuesday 24th June
Area: Assynt, Sutherland
Clachtoll Broch and Coastal walk
Ranger led guided coastal walk through a crofting township rich in wildlife, to the iron-age broch. Hear about the new discoveries of the recent excavation, stories of how the iron age people lived and catastrophic collapse that ended it all. Watch out for breeding redshank, snipe and divers and see signs of otters and the rare oyster plant, bog bean and others early flowers. Bring packed lunch. This is a 4km walk. Meet at Clachtoll Beach car park. Grid ref: NC 040273.
Time: 11am – 3pm
Cost: £10 per person
Booking: Click here to book via Eventbrite
Contact: [email protected] Tel:07825 116516
Date: Tuesday 24th June
Area: Easter Ross
Dingwall Nature Club
Nature Club is a gathering in our community library to celebrate, learn about and experience nature.
It is open to all children between 7 and 12 years old. Booking is not required, just turn up. Parents are welcome to stay and participate.
Topics coming up include making homes for wildlife, otters and spring.
Time: 3.30pm – 5pm
Booking: Booking not required
Contact: marcia.o’[email protected]
Wednesday 25th June
Area: Sutherland
Assynt Conservation Volunteer Day, Lochinver
Join the Ranger and Assynt Field Club volunteers (over 18yrs only) to do some fun conservation work with like-minded people. We might be clearing small regenerating spruce trees, digging a pond, building a boardwalk or other activities. Contact Andy beforehand to check meeting place on the day. All tools/gloves are provided and enjoy a warm drink and blether at the end.
Time: 10am – 12 noon
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Booking: Contact Andy
Contact: [email protected] Tel:07825 116516
Date: Friday 27th June
Area: Ardnamurchan
Green Library Nature Club
Bring your “grab and go” or packed lunch along to the Sunart Centre for a supervised lunch hour followed by nature themed activities in the library and outdoors. Come dressed for the weather and bring your sense of adventure!
Time: 12.30pm – 3pm
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Booking: booking is essential – drop into the library or contact Eilidh-Ann
Contact: [email protected]
Date: Friday 27th June
Area: Sutherland
Bat Walk at Gearchoille Community Wood
Come along and find out what bats eat, where they live and other interesting facts about these wonderful creatures as we wander through Gearchoille Community Woods.
If the weather is unsuitable on the 27th we will aim to try again on the 4th July.
Families, adults and good dogs welcome! No unaccompanied children. Booking essential 24 hours beforehand.
Time: 9pm – 10.30pm Booking ref: Eventbrite
Booking: Click here to book
Contact: marcia.o’[email protected]
Date: Saturday 28th June
Area: Sutherland
Young Minds for Nature, Lochinver
Open to anyone between 11 and 24 years old, to do positive conservation tasks in the Culag Community Woods in Lochinver, such as ditch digging, planting trees, removing small spruce trees, digging ponds, building shelters etc using hand tools. This is part of Assynt’s well-being project. Meet at Assynt Leisure Centre. Bring old clothes and wellies. All tools/gloves are provided.
Time: 11am – 1pm Booking ref: ACT002625
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Booking: High Life Highland Activities or at Assynt Leisure Centre
Contact: [email protected] Tel:07825 116516
JULY EVENTS
Date: Tuesday 1st July
Area: Assynt, Sutherland
The amazing mountain of Suilven
Join us on a guided walk to the top of Assynt’s most famous mountain, in partnership with North West Highlands Global Geopark. This is a strenuous walk. Participants must have good fitness for steep and rocky terrain and bring appropriate outdoor clothing, footwear and lunch. The distance is 20km/12.5miles.This walk is subject to good weather conditions. Suitable for over 18’s only. Meet at the Lodge car park, Glencanisp road. Grid ref: NC107220.
Time: 9am – 6pm
Cost £25 per person
Booking: Click here to book via Eventbrite
Contact: [email protected] Tel:07825 116516
AUGUST EVENTS
Date: Saturday 30th August
Area: Sutherland
Young Minds for Nature, Lochinver
Open to anyone between 11 and 24 years old, to do positive conservation tasks in the Culag Community Woods in Lochinver, such as ditch digging, planting trees, removing small spruce trees, digging ponds, building shelters etc using hand tools. This is part of Assynt’s well-being project. Meet at Assynt Leisure Centre. Bring old clothes and wellies. All tools/gloves are provided.
Time: 11am – 1pm Booking ref: ACT002625
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Booking: High Life Highland Activities or at Assynt Leisure Centre
Contact: [email protected] Tel:07825 116516
Date: Saturday 27th September
Area: Sutherland
Young Minds for Nature, Lochinver
Open to anyone between 11 and 24 years old, to do positive conservation tasks in the Culag Community Woods in Lochinver, such as ditch digging, planting trees, removing small spruce trees, digging ponds, building shelters etc using hand tools. This is part of Assynt’s well-being project. Meet at Assynt Leisure Centre. Bring old clothes and wellies. All tools/gloves are provided.
Time: 11am – 1pm Booking ref: ACT002625
We make no charge for this event but we rely on your donations to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage.
Booking: High Life Highland Activities or at Assynt Leisure Centre
Contact: [email protected] Tel:07825 116516
