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Upcoming Events

 

 

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

Or you might like to look back at our work on the reports page: High Life Highland Countryside Ranger Service Reports – High Life Highland Rangers

 

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

 

**SCHOOLS OUT EVENTS PROGRAMME COMING SOON!**

 

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

BookingClick 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