Easter with the Highland Countryside Rangers
The Highland Council’s Countryside Rangers have organised a number of fun events for all ages to enjoy over the Easter holidays from hunting for dinosaur footprints, taking part in a reptile survey, guided clifftop walks and the chance to explore some wild west scenery to egg hunts and craft sessions.
In Caithness on Easter Sunday there will be a family treasure hunt near Glengolly followed by an Easter egg-case hunt at Sandside on Monday 6 April. The Rangers are also looking for volunteers to help with the annual Dunnet Beach clean-up which will take place on Saturday 18 April.
Sutherland events include a three hour coastal walk from Talmine to Port Vasco taking in cliffs, beaches and moorlands on Tuesday 7 April with another walk to explore Scourie Seacliffs on Wednesday 8th. For children and families on Wednesday 8th in Brora there will be a kite making workshop, on Thursday the chance to try green woodworking at Lairg and on Friday 10th a session in Brora to create willow animal models.
The adventures in the Inverness and Nairn area begin on Tuesday 7 April with an egg hunt in search of the Dragon’s nest around Cannich which is an event suitable for families with children aged 4-10 years. At Abriachan Woods on Wednesday 8 April there is the chance to have a go at making a kite and see how it flies while on Thurs 9 April they’ll be a ‘Stories in the Woods’ event at Drumnadrochit. On Saturday 11 April the Rangers are inviting people to come and explore the city wildlife gem that is Merkinch Local Nature reserve. On Sunday 12 April there is a mysterious dragon hunt at Tradespark in Nairn which is followed on Saturday 18 April with a ponds, frogs and newts day at Inshes Park. The final Easter holiday event in Inverness will be a Town Trweasure Hunt on Wednesday 15 April.
In Badenoch and Strathspey on Tuesday 14 April the local Rangers will be hosting a kite making workshop in Carrbridge with the chance for anyone coming along to create their own kite and then try flying it.
The Easter fun starts in Lochaber on Saturday 4 April when the Rangers at the Glen Nevis Centre will be hosting a special family Easter “eggstravaganza”. This will be followed by another family event on Tuesday 7 April called a “Victorious Vikings treasure hunt” which will take place at the Ballachullish Quarry. For those looking to stretch their legs, on Tuesday 14 the Rangers will be leading a circular walk from Fort William to Inverlochy which takes in stunning scenery and gives anyone coming the chance to hear local history tales while on Wednesday 15 there will be a Butterfly themed challenge for children to enjoy at the Glen Nevis Centre.
In Skye and Lochalsh there is the chance to take part in a Reptile survey in Kinloch on Saturday 4 April while on Friday 10th the Rangers will be leading a guided five hour walk along the Wild West Coast from Galtrigill to Glendale. On Wednesday 15 there is the chance to find out more about Gaelic place names at an event in Broadford and on Saturday 18 April the Rangers are inviting families to join them at Staffin for a fossil themed event which includes a beach walk looking for dinosaur footprints.
Over in Wester Ross the fun with the Rangers starts on Tuesday 14 April with an Easter egg hunt and pond dipping session at Kinlochewe which is followed by a natural history walk up Ullapool Hill to get a bird’s eye view of the scenery on Thursday 16 April.
In Ross and Cromarty on Saturday 11 April the local ranger will be taking people on a guided walk to explore the dark mysteries of Black Rock Gorge in Evanton, while on Wednesday 15 April there will be the chance to join the Rangers for a walk starting at Contin and going to Loch Cran looking out for Crossbills and other woodland birds.
The Council’s countryside rangers run many events and guided walks throughout the year which aim to help raise awareness and encourage appreciation of the scenery, wildlife and heritage of the Highlands. This wide range of events and activities is aimed at local communities and visitors to the area.