Rangers will help improve great trail
One of Scotland’s great trails that traverses vast areas of Perth and Kinross is set to get its own rangers to help improve the visitor experience and encourage responsible camping.
Working from now until October, the rangers will provide visitor support and vital small-scale maintenance and improvements to the Cateran Trail.
The trail is a fully waymarked, 64-mile route through Perthshire and the Angus glens.
Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT), which manages and maintains the trail, received the funding for the summer posts and will work closely with the ranger team from Hushwing Ranger
Service – a co-operative of freelance countryside heritage rangers and creative educators.
The ranger project aims to deliver accessible improvements to waymarking and signage; path maintenance, clearing and repairs; adjusting gate hinges; and wall repairs.
PKCT’s strategic routes officer who manages the Cateran Trail Andrew Barrie said: “Managing all 64-miles of the Cateran Trail is tough work, especially for a small charity like us.
“So, it will make a huge difference to the Cateran Trail visitor experience having a ranger team carry out access and maintenance works as well as engaging with the public to raise awareness of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, and remind them of their rights and their obligations towards the countryside, like responsible camping.
“Our Hushwing Rangers will have the opportunity to liaise with local Council Visitor Management Rangers this summer to provide the best overall service for visitors, land managers and local communities.”
Senior countryside ranger at Hushwing Ranger Service Callum
McNeill-Ritchie commented: “Our team of rangers are really looking forward to working on the Cateran Trail this summer.
“The picturesque countryside along the whole route makes it a great place to work, and the variety of projects and activities to improve the route and engage with visitors will certainly keep us busy.
“I look forward to meeting people while out and about and hope they find our work beneficial to the accessibility and their appreciation of the route.”
Funding for this ranger project is coming from NatureScot’s Better Places Green Recovery Fund, which aims to help communities and destinations start or develop further pro-active visitor management in “hot spot” locations.