Additional ranger cover for Angus glen

The funding will help to provide extra ranger cover for Glen Doll over the summer.

ANGUSalive will take on two full-time rangers to cover Glen Doll Forest, Corrie Fee National Nature Reserve and Loch Brandy.

The cash has been allocated from the NatureScot Better Places Fund and is part of a £900,000 initiative to support better visitor management and help safeguard the environment for visitors and local communities.

It is being divided between 24 countryside, coast and island projects across Scotland, enabling an additional 62 staff to be employed this summer across Scotland.

The extra ‘boots on the ground’ will promote the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) and help manage visitor pressure in Shetland, Glencoe, the Pentlands, Loch Lomond, Arran, NC500, and various locations around East Lothian, North Perthshire, Islay and many more.

Funding will complement additional investment in rangers and visitor operations made this year by NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland, the National Park Authorities and Scottish Water to support the management of busy outdoor places.

Bridget Jones, NatureScot's Recreation and Paths Manager, said: “The fund supports rangers to promote responsible enjoyment and manage some of the busiest and most popular areas.

"We want people have positive and memorable experiences as they visit and enjoy Scotland’s dramatic landscapes. But as we tackle the climate and biodiversity crises, we have to ensure that the country’s most spectacular locations are valued and cared for, so that they are there for future generations.”

A similar scheme funded 109 seasonal staff last year, and made a significant difference to tackling irresponsible parking, camping, fires, toileting and litter issues in many rural and coastal areas popular with staycationing tourists.

Complementing the face-to-face engagement with visitors, VisitScotland and partner organisations will be using social media, local radio and digital marketing to educate, inspire and inform people about issues related to visiting nature hotspots such as water safety, fire safety, dog control and wildlife disturbance.