June 2018
A commercial airline pilot and a high-powered accountant may not be who you would expect to meet in the Scottish wilderness! Meet the Cairngorms National Park Volunteer Rangers and how they're bringing their unique skills to the outdoors.
Why did you want to be a Volunteer Ranger?
I applied to become a Volunteer Ranger because I absolutely love these mountains and this part of the world! I wanted to share that with others and give something back to help protect it for future generations to enjoy.
What did you do before becoming a Volunteer Ranger?
As well as volunteering I am also employed as a commercial airline pilot.
Where can we find you?
I can mostly be found all around the National Park. I have been able to volunteer at Glen Doll, Laggan, Balmoral and Glenmore. It’s great because I get to stay local as well as learning more about other parts of the National Park.
What do you usually do?
...well there isn’t a usual as there are so many opportunities available. I particularly enjoy engaging with visitors, wildlife/species monitoring and am looking forward to some practical path maintenance in the near future.
What is your favourite thing about being a Volunteer Ranger?
Some of my favourite things about being a Volunteer Ranger are the people I have met through volunteering. It’s has been a real pleasure to work with other volunteer rangers, the various ranger services, park authority representatives and members of the public. It is heartening to meet such lovely like-minded folk who all appreciate what we have in this unique part of the world and are dedicated to looking after it.
Why did you want to be a Volunteer Ranger?
Being outdoors in this area is my favourite pastime and has been since childhood (so it’s been a while!). I reckoned it would be satisfying to do something constructive for some of that time spent outdoors (although I do love an aimless wander as well), and to welcome others to this amazing place we share!
Why did you want to be a Volunteer Ranger?
I have visited a number of National Parks around the world, and I have seen how much value a ranger service adds to the visitor experience. Whether that’s providing information on flora, fauna or geology, or simply advice on walking routes and how to minimise your own environmental impact whilst in the park. To become a small part of that, while at the same time getting away from my desk and day job to spend time in some of the most spectacular scenery the UK has to offer, was just too enticing to pass up.
What did you do before becoming a Volunteer Ranger?
I currently work in the finance sector as a Senior Fund Accountant for a large asset management company.
Where can we find you?
Helping out at the ranger bases at Glen Doll or Glen Muick.
What do you usually do?
Raptor monitoring, maintaining bird boxes or vegetation control (removal of invasive plant species or tree planting). I enjoy the more unusual tasks too. Building a log pile otter holt is definitely one of the highlights of the programme so far.
What is your favourite thing about being a Volunteer Ranger?
I love the wealth of new information and new skills I am building on a startling array of topics; from identifying pine martin tracks in the snow, to the method of construction of a greenwood mallet; from the annual lifecycle of the capercaillie to the geological formation of glacial corries.
Why did you want to be a Volunteer Ranger?
I volunteered as a recreation ranger before I moved to the Cairngorms and really enjoyed it and this fitted the bill. Lots of opportunities to be outside, learn new skills and aspects of the estates taking part.
Where can we find you?
Mostly I can be found at Glenmore volunteering with Lucy or passing my knowledge and enthusiasm onto the local Scout group in Aviemore.
What do you usually do?
I usually do trail checks and visitor interaction. A recent highlight was being involved in Laggan Wolftrax helping out with school groups learning about opportunities for future careers.
What is your favourite thing about being a Volunteer Ranger?
