The Cateran Trail – one of Scotland’s Great Trails – is set to get its own ranger to help everyone get the best visitor experience along the well-loved route.

Working from now until October, the Rangers will provide visitor support and vital small-scale maintenance and improvements to the Cateran Trail to enhance access for all.

Callum McNeill-Ritchie (Senior Countryside Ranger, Hushwing Ranger Service) and Andrew Barrie (PKCT Strategic Routes Officer)

Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT), who manage and maintain the Trail, received the funding for the summer post and will work closely with the Ranger team from Hushwing Ranger Service – a co-operative of freelance countryside heritage Rangers and creative educators.

The Ranger project aims to deliver accessible improvements to waymarking and signage; path maintenance, clearing and repairs; adjusting gate hinges; and wall repairs.

Andrew Barrie, PKCT’s Strategic Routes Officer who manages the Cateran Trail, said:

Managing all 64-miles of the Cateran Trail is tough work, especially for a small charity like us. So, it will make a huge difference to the Cateran Trail visitor experience having a Ranger team carry out access and maintenance works as well as engaging with the public to raise awareness of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and remind them of their rights and their obligations towards the countryside, like responsible camping. 

Our Hushwing Rangers will have the opportunity to liaise with local Council Visitor Management Rangers this summer to provide the best overall service for visitors, land managers and local communities.

 Callum McNeill-Ritchie, Senior Countryside Ranger at Hushwing Ranger Service, commented:

 Our team of Rangers are really looking forward to working on the Cateran Trail this summer. The picturesque countryside along the whole route makes it a great place to work, and the variety of projects and activities to improve the route and engage with visitors will certainly keep us busy. I look forward to meeting people while out and about and hope they find our work beneficial to the accessibility and their appreciation of the route.

Funding for this Ranger project is coming from NatureScot, through the Better Places Green Recovery Fund, which aims to help communities and destinations start or develop further pro-active visitor management in “hot spot” locations.

All photos ©Photos by Zöe