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Ranger Service

Aberdeenshire council ranger service logoWe have a team of 6 Rangers based across Aberdeenshire to help residents and visitors discover and enjoy our rich natural and cultural heritage:

Our aims 

In common with other Ranger Services in Scotland, we have 3 main aims that include:

  • providing a warm welcome and provide support to help people enjoy the outdoors
  • increasing awareness, understanding, care and responsible use of the natural and cultural heritage
  • supporting the sustainable management and use of the outdoors to meet a range of objectives

Events

We have a wide range of events organised throughout the year to help residents and visitors explore and enjoy our countryside. You can follow our Eventbrite page, where you can make online bookings.

School and group sessions

We offer support to schools, colleges, universities and other organised groups to access, understand and enjoy our natural and cultural heritage. We welcome bookings from organised groups where there is a common theme or shared interest. We are also able to accept bookings from commercial (profit making) groups at a charge of £30 per hour. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept bookings groups bookings for events such as birthday parties, stag or hen parties. Find out how to request a session.

Donations

Donations to the Ranger Service are most welcome. All donations go directly to supporting the Ranger Service and are not used for other council services.

Donations are voluntary and at the discretion of those using the service. Session spots will remain on a first come, first served basis, and donations will not affect booking priority for public or school and group sessions.

Donations can be made online, or directly to the ranger at any group or public session.

Make a donation to the Ranger Service

Volunteers

We welcome volunteers, if you wish to volunteers with us, you can find out about volunteering opportunities. If you are part of an organisation and are looking to organise a conservation day please contact us.

Sharing knowledge and skills

Rangers are happy to share their skills and knowledge with teachers and other professionals seeking to develop outdoor learning opportunities. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Tree planting and aftercare

Our team of rangers have produced a video to provide all the information you need to plant a new tree or wood, and how to look after them when they are in the ground.

Tree planting and aftercare video transcript (PDF 263KB).

Responsible outdoor access

You must be responsible when accessing our countryside and respect the interests of others, care for the environment and take responsibility for your own actions.

The Ranger Service can provide advice to users, communities and land managers on access rights and responsibilities. We have produced printable posters and information leaflet for use by community groups and land managers:

You can find out more about your access right and responsibilities by visiting the Scottish Outdoor Access Code website. Information about upholding access rights is available on our website.

Wild camping

The Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) allows for responsible access, including wild camping, where it is respectful of other countryside users and does not harm our natural or cultural heritage.

Wild camping can take place in unenclosed land where access rights apply. When choosing an area to wild camp you should consider the cumulative impacts of campers on the environment.

Wild camping is:

  • Accessed on foot or cycle
  • Light weight, small one or two-person tents either singly or in pairs
  • Responsible outdoor toileting, burying or removing waste
  • Responsible outdoor cooking, using a stove where possible
  • Leaves no trace

Wild camping is not:

  • Accessed from a vehicle
  • Large or family style tents
  • Groups of tents or gazebos
  • Disrespectful to other countryside users and communities
  • Harmful to our natural or cultural heritage

Camping which is not wild camping is not permitted under responsible access rights and should take place in a designated campsite.

You can find out more information on designated campsites from Visit Scotland.

You can find out more about responsible wild camping on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code website.