The Scottish Government has revealed that more than 200 seasonal countryside rangers and operations staff posts will be created to support sustainable and responsible rural tourism.

The rangers will help tackle issues such as littering, antisocial behaviour and public toileting in rural tourism hotspots through patrols, liaising with local communities, landowners and police.

Operations staff will manage popular rural tourism sites with issues such as pressures on parking and camping sites.

The funding includes £1.5 million for NatureScot Better Places Fund Round 3 which opened recently (18 March 2022).

The Government says the countryside rangers and operations staff will ensure visitors can enjoy all that Scotland has to offer while reducing disturbance on communities and the environment during the coming 2022 season.

Scotland’s Tourism Minister Ivan McKee said:  “It is crucial that increasing demand at some of our most iconic rural and natural attractions is managed in a sustainable and responsible way to protect Scotland’s scenery and reduce pressure on local communities. 

“The rangers and operations staff will support visitors to find suitable parking and necessary facilities while ensuring adherence to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. This will allow for a better experience for tourists as well as the communities who experience the challenges that large visitor numbers can bring.”

NatureScot Chief Executive Francesca Osowska recently said: “We expect large numbers of people to visit Scotland’s outdoors again in 2022… Investing in visitor management and connecting people with nature is key to our continued green recovery post-pandemic – providing green jobs, protecting the environment and helping to tackle climate change.”

Background

The countryside rangers’ posts will be supported by direct funding to NatureScot, National Parks, Forestry and Land Scotland.

Better Places Fund 

Local authorities, community organisations and third sector organisations can apply for grants, which will be administered through NatureScot’s Better Places Fund Round 3. 

Applications must be submitted by 22 April with successful applications ready to start in June 2022.

See NatureScot’s Better Places green recovery fund evaluation.