From Trails to Tales
How Easter unfolded with the Ranger Service in 2024
This Easter, families and school children were treated to an exhilarating array of events, thoughtfully organised by our committed Ranger Service. From treasure hunts and play opportunities through lush greenery to hands-on scientific experiments and creative activities at our facilities, each activity was designed to blend enjoyment of the natural world with educational insights, echoing our dedication to environmental education and cultural enrichment. Here are some of the highlights:
Exciting Treasure Hunts and Nature Trails
The essence of adventure was palpable this Easter across various High Life Highland Ranger Service sites, hosting distinctive treasure hunts or trails that captivated both the young and the young at heart.
Easter Family Fun Day at the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre saw over 40 adventuring families don waterproofs to partake in a treasure hunt. Participants unravelled clues to locate hidden birds and decipher secret messages, all while engaging in eco-friendly activities such as seed planting and crafting with natural materials.
Ballachulish Quarry, Dinosaur themed treasure hunt this easter saw participants propelled back in time to ponder whether dinosaur eggs were actually made of chocolate?
Nairn's Minibeast Adventure welcomed children to delve into the undergrowth on a self-led treasure trail, discovering the smaller denizens of our ecosystems and perhaps spotting a few beasties along the way.
The Red Squirrel Trail in the Lael Forest near Ullapool attracted a lively crowd of 70 families who explored the world of these charming small mammals on a self led trail through the forest, combining a physical activity suitable for all ages with educational insights.
The Larachmhor Gardens in Arisaig provided the backdrop for a freewheeling day of treasure and scavenger hunts, Easter crafts, and nature exploration, making full use of the beautiful spring setting.
Delving into Science and Nature
This season also featured events where the magic of discovery helped create deeper appreciation for science and the natural world among our younger enthusiasts.
Magic and Mayhem at Glen Nevis stood out with its blend of exciting experiments and environmental education. Children created lava lamps and volcanoes, and explored innovative water filtration methods, all the while absorbing lessons on pollution control and the importance of water conservation.
Ranger CSI at Alness Library put young learners’ detective skills to the test as they engaged in creature tracking and solved environmental puzzles, making for a captivating educational experience.
Creative Cultural Activities
Creativity flourished at our Easter events, with various crafting and storytelling sessions that celebrated cultural history and encouraged artistic expression. The Ranger Service also hosted a variety of other events, each crafted to offer meaningful ways for families and groups of youngsters to connect with nature and each other.
Viking Craft Day at Bettyhill Library proved to be particularly popular, as children crafted their own Viking shields and swords while immersing themselves in Norse culture through interactive storytelling and crafts.
A Fireside Storytelling session at Strontian Community Woodland offered tales in a woodland setting, followed by activities linked to the stories, igniting imaginations and connecting families together in the great outdoors.
Ranger led Spring Crafts in our Libraries encouraged children to express their creativity using materials from nature, highlighting the importance of sustainability and the joys of recycling.
Seashore Safari to Bishops Bay allowed families to uncover the hidden treasures of the seashore, enhancing their understanding of marine life and coastal ecosystems.
Puppetry and Play at Culag Wood featured a puppet show where the young participants showcased their creativity with puppets made from natural woodland materials, emphasising the value of recycling and reusing.
These events have not only offered entertainment and fun learning opportunities in the school holiday, but also continue to underscore the importance of environmental stewardship and community engagement. We are immensely grateful to all who participated and to to those who donate, whose support continues to enable these enriching experiences.
Looking ahead, the High Life Highland Ranger Service remains dedicated to delivering programmes that enrich our communities while promoting sustainable practices and wildlife conservation. We will have a packed summer season - so please look out for our events in the Schools Out Summer 2024 programme which will be released early June.