Outdoor access

Seasonal Access Rangers

We launched the Seasonal Access Ranger service in May 2021 to help manage outdoor access across Highland.

Rangers work across the region, except in the Cairngorms National Park, which runs its own ranger programme.

What Rangers do

Access Rangers:

  • patrol popular sites in the morning and evening
  • speak with visitors about responsible access
  • give advice on wild camping, litter, fires and outdoor toileting
  • help manage overcrowding and parking, including motorhomes
  • collect data on visitor numbers and site capacity
  • work with communities and landowners to resolve issues

Some Rangers are based at busy sites like:

  • Chanonry Point
  • Smoo Cave
  • Old Man of Storr

These Rangers are present throughout the day.

Ranger team and recruitment

We aim to build a team of up to 17 Rangers during the high season (spring to early autumn). We also hope to recruit local volunteers to support the team during busy periods.

Page last modified: 30 January 2026