Pentland Hills Regional Park/Ranger Service

PENTLAND HILLS RANGER SERVICE

Countryside Rangers in the Pentland Hills Regional Park are part of a world-wide family of Rangers who work to conserve and protect natural and cultural resources, and inform and educate all who work, visit and enjoy them.

Here in the Pentlands, Rangers undertake a wide variety of duties and perform multifarious tasks. No two days are ever the same and any one day could include a planning meeting, outdoor conservation work, wildlife surveying, patrolling the hills, liaison with landowners and the public, writing management plans and reports, making and taking numerous phone calls, never mind emails, faxes and texts!

It would take a team comprising, an experienced naturalist, sympathetic recreationalist, far-sighted land manager, inventive interpreter, confident communicator, competent IT operator, wildlife paralegal, conflict arbitrator, mountain rescuer and first aider…to fill the boots of ONE Ranger!!
However most of us make do with a second career with circus acts to keep all aspects of the job going at once.

To find out more about Rangering in Scotland and around the world, check out the Scottish Countryside Rangers Association and the International Rangers Federation websites.

Background information on our Ranger Service

Lothian Regional Council established the Pentland Hills Ranger Service in 1976 as a precursor to the designation of a Regional Park.

Originally the Ranger Service operated in Hillend and Bonaly country parks and the reservoirs owned and operated by Lothian Regional Council Department of Water and Drainage.
As well as environmental education and interpretation, the Ranger Service was involved in fisheries management on Lothian Region reservoirs, including the operation of two fish farms. These activities ceased in 1986. The Ranger Service also ran a sailing school at Harperrig reservoir until 1994.

Staffing levels have varied over the years culminating in 14 full time staff and 3 seasonals in the mid 1990’s. Local government re-organisation in 1997 saw Lothian Region discontinued and the Regional Park management replaced with a Joint Committee comprised of elected members from the three local authorities, whose administrative area, lay within the agreed Park boundary.

In 2003, the minute of agreement between the three local authorities was revised and further staffing changes made.

Currently the Service operates with

1 Park Manager
1 Senior Support Assistant
1 Senior Ranger
5 Main Grade Rangers

All staff are employed by the City of Edinburgh Council who act as managing authority for the Regional Park.

In 1997 the Pentland Hills Voluntary Ranger Service which operates alongside full time staff was formed.

Rangers continue to design and deliver environmental education programmes, create innovative interpretation, liase with farmers and landowners, supervise and train volunteer rangers, lead conservation groups, plan and manage access and recreation, write and implement biodiversity action plans as well as patrol the hills and engage with visitors. If you have any queries about the Pentland Hills Ranger Service please contact us.