WARNING - By their nature, text files cannot include scanned images and tables. The process of converting documents to text only, can cause formatting changes and misinterpretation of the contents can sometimes result. Wherever possible you should refer to the pdf version of this document. Rangers welcome visitors to the countryside and help people discover and appreciate what’s around them. Rangers run a variety of countryside events that encourage people to learn about the National Park. A sample of this month’s free events is listed below. A full list of events can be found on www.cairngorms.co.uk or ask at your accommodation, local Tourist Information Centre or ranger base. Countryside Events September 2010 Every Tuesday 10.00 -11.30am Abernethy Walk History and wildlife of Abernethy’s ancient Caledonian forest. U16 with an adult Booking essential 01479 821565 Explore Abernethy Centre, Nethy Bridge Donations please Explore Abernethy Ranger Service Every Sunday 2.00- 4.00pm Abernethy Walk History and wildlife of Abernethy’s ancient Caledonian pine forest. U16 with an adult. Booking essential 01479 821565 Explore Abernethy Centre, Nethy Bridge Donations please Explore Abernethy Ranger Service September 1st 10.30 – 1.00 pm BIG TREES, LITTLE TREES Can’t see the wood for the trees? Join the ranger for a closer look at the pinewoods in Glenmore. Free event,No need to book. Phone 01479 861220 for info Meet at Glenmore Visitor Centre Car Park Forestry Commission Scotland September 5th 10.00am – 4.00pm OPEN TO VIEW An opportunity to view the state rooms of the Mar Lodge, and the magnificent Stag’s Ballroom with almost 2500 stag heads. U-16 with an adult Mar Lodge Estate, nr. Braemar Admission charge to non NTS members £3. U-16 Free National Trust for Scotland. September 5th 2.00 – 3.30pm FABULOUS FUNGI Fungi for beginners. Glen Tilt Car Park, by Blair Atholl. 1 mile north of Blair Atholl on road to Old Blair. Charge: £2.00 Atholl Estates Ranger Service September 8th 1.30 – 4.00 pm THE LAIRD OF GLENFESHIE WALK Hear about some of the wildlife, history and folk tales from this area on a walk along the majestic Glen Feshie. No need to book. Phone 01479 861220 for info Meet at Feshiebridge Car Park, nr Kincraig Free event Forestry Commission Scotland September 9th 2.00 – 4.00 DRAGONS, DAMSELS AND THE ICE AGE Walk to the amazing view over Uath Lochans, then squelch round the lochans to look for their biodiversity (bugs!) Free event, No need to book. Phone 01479 861220 for info Uath Lochans Car Park, Inshriach Forest, Nr Kincraig Forestry Commission Scotland. Bring wellies. September 12th 2.00 – 4.00pm PAWS FOR THOUGHT Bring your dog, join the Ranger and take the time to become aware of your responsibilities as a dog owner in the Cairngorms National Park. Booking Essential 01575 550233 Free Glen Doll Ranger Base, Kirriemuir. Grid Ref: NO282759 Angus Glens Ranger Service. September 15th 10.30 – 1.00 pm BIG TREES, LITTLE TREES Can’t see the wood for the trees? Join the ranger for a closer look at the pinewoods in Glenmore. Free event, No need to book. Phone 01479 861220 for info Meet at Glenmore Visitor Centre Car Park Forestry Commission Scotland September 19th 10.30 – 1.30 pm THE MAGIC OF RYVOAN Walk in Ryvoan’s magical mix of pinewoods, mountain and loch. Bag some views and exercise and see what the fairies have done. Free event, No need to book. Phone 01479 861220 for info Meet at Glenmore Visitor Centre Car Park Forestry Commission Scotland September 19th 2.00 - 4.30pm FASCINATING FUNGI Ever seen a cauliflower fungus or a toadstool with teeth!? A beginners guide to the fascinating array of fungi in the pinewoods. U-16 with an adult Booking Essential – 0844 493 2173 Mar Lodge Estate, nr. Braemar Adults £5 U-16 £2.50 National Trust for Scotland. Sorry no dogs September 19th 2.00 – 3.30pm FABULOUS FUNGI Fungi for beginners. Logierait Woods Car Park, 1/2 mile north of Logierait on Dunfallandy road. Charge: £2.00 Atholl Estates Ranger Service September 22nd 1.30 – 4.00 pm THE LAIRD OF GLENFESHIE WALK Hear about some of the wildlife, history and folk tales from this area on a walk along the majestic Glen Feshie. No need to book. Phone 01478 861220 for info Meet at Feshiebridge Car Park, nr Kincraig Free event Forestry Commission Scotland September 24th 7pm – 9pm BATS! BATS! BATS! Find out about these wonderful creatures of the night sky. Booking essential 01479 873 914 Adults £3, concessions & children £2 Highland Council Countryside Rangers. September 25th 10:00-5:00pm A CYCLE THROUGH TIME. Join the rangers during Scottish Archaeology Month on a guided bike ride through Glen Muick. Distance 30Kms, Ascent 450m. Cost: Free. Balmoral Ranger Service Booking Essential – 013397 55059. September 29th 10.30 – 1.00 pm BIG TREES, LITTLE TREES Can’t see the wood for the trees? Join the ranger for a closer look at the pinewoods in Glenmore. Free event, No need to book. Phone 01479 861220 for info Meet at Glenmore Visitor Centre Car Park Forestry Commission Scotland Countryside Events October 2010 October 2nd 7.30 – 9.30pm DARK SKIES – SLY IN THE SKY Beginner’s guide to the night sky around the constellation of Vulpecula, the Fox. Telescope and binocular viewing if sky is clear. Illustrated talk if cloudy. Booking Essential 01575 550233 Glen Doll Ranger Base, Kirriemuir. Grid Ref: NO282759 Free Angus Glens Ranger Service. October 6th 2.00 – 3.30pm RED SQUIRREL WALK Come and look for our red squirrels and learn more about them. Glen Tilt Car Park, by Blair Atholl Charge: Adults: £2, Children: £1 Atholl Estates. No dogs please. October 10th 11.00am – 3.30pm ROARING STAGS AND MOUNTAIN VIEWS Climb some low hills with the ranger to get some excellent views of the high hills, and hopefully hear stags at their best. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Phone 01796 481355 to book. Blair Atholl. Charge: £6 Atholl Estates. Some rough walking off a path. No dogs please. October 13th 2.00 – 3.30pm AUTUMN TREASURE HUNT A family event searching for clues and treasure. Glen Tilt Car Park, by Blair Atholl. 1 mile north of Blair Atholl on road to Old Blair. Charge: Children £2. Atholl Estates. All children must be accompanied by an adult. October 15th 5pm – 7pm THE MONARCHS OF THE GLEN The Red deer rut is one of Scotland’s finest wildlife spectacles and at this time iof the year the glens echo with the bellowing of the stags. We will explore a local estate with the Laird to experience this yearly extravaganza. Booking essential 01540 673 907 Adults £15 Highland Council Countryside Rangers October 16th 2.00 – 4.00pm FEEDERS AND HOMES Help your local wildlife this winter. Drop in anytime. Atholl Estates Information Centre, Blair Atholl Charge: Donations. Atholl Estates. All children must be accompanied by an adult. October 17th 11.0am – 3.00pm COME TO THE STAG PARTY A walk along the Dounalt loop path to watch and listen to the roaring of the rutting Red Deer stags. Booking Essential 01575 550233 Glen Doll Ranger Base,Kirriemuir. Grid Ref: NO282759 Free Angus Glens Ranger Service. Stout shoes, warm clothing and a packed lunch required. A telescope will be available for use but bring binoculars if you have them. October 30th 10:00-3:00pm CALEDONIAN PINE FOREST WALK. A guided walk through pristine native pinewoods in the company of a ranger. Experience the autumn splendor of one of the UKs finest habitats. Learn how these ancient woods are being managed for wildlife. Organised to celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity. Distance 10kms, Ascent 250m. Meeting point: Keiloch car park. Cost: Free. Booking essential – 013397 55059. Countryside Events November 2010 November 13th 10:00-1:30pm RIVERSIDE WALK. Follow the River Muick during the peak salmon run. Learn more about the fascinating wildlife and management of this pristine mountain river. Bring a packed lunch. Meeting point: Mill of Sterin, Glen Muick. Distance 11Kms, ascent 230m. Cost: Free. Booking essential – 01339755059. November 14th 11.00am – 3.00pm RORY McSQUIRREL Watch the antics of the Red Squirrels at our feeders in Glen Doll forest and discover the variety of methods used to estimate their numbers. Booking Essential 01575 550233 Glen Doll Ranger Base. Kirriemuir. Grid Ref: NO282759 Free Angus Glens Ranger Service. Stout shoes, warm clothing and packed lunch required. Bring binoculars if you can. Countryside Events December 2010 December 2nd 6.30pm – 8.30pm CHRISTMAS ARTS AND CRATFS Try your hand at making your own natural Christmas decorations as the town is lit up with festive lights. British Legion, Grantown-on-Spey. 01479 873 914 Adults £5, concessions & children £3 Highland Council Countryside Rangers December 5th 11.00am – 2.00pm PARROT OF THE WOODS Join the Ranger and search for Crossbills in Glen Doll forest. This special bird is often difficult to find but may be located by its diagnostic flight call. Booking Essential 01575 550233 Glen Doll Ranger Base. Kirriemuir. Grid Ref: NO282759 Free Angus Glens Ranger Service. Packed lunch required. A telescope will be available for use but bring binoculars if you have them. December 11th 9:20-3:30pm INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN DAY WINTER ASCENT. Climb a winter peak with the Balmoral Rangers. A high winter walk, the exact route will be decided on the morning of the walk and will mainly depend on weather conditions. A good level of fitness required. Meeting point: Glen Muick Visitor Centre. Cost: £5/person. Booking Essential– 013397 55059. December 21st 2,30pm – 4.30pm SOLSTICE CELEBRATION Our ancestors revered the shortest day as one of the most important in their calendar. Join the ranger at sunset. Meet at Alvie Estate near Kincraig. 01540 673 907 Adults £3, concessions & children £2 Highland Council Countryside Rangers, flatish ground, bring a torch, dress warmly.