The Wilderness Rangers

Summer Expeditions complete! Just over five and half miles at the wonderfully green and lush Gore Glen! We began our day in the sunshine snacking on wild raspberries and brambles, making our way to the man made waterfalls. A "Run Richard Run" climbing challenge of the underpass was won by our Junior Rangers and we headed to the stinking, stagnant bog pond! Despite the noxious fumes we managed to catch a handful of baby newts (efts). Round to the riverbend now for a spot of island exploring, rock chucking, tree climbing and creature finding with just enough time for a munch of some wood sorrel! As we crossed the bridge of Cantankerous John the troll we made our way through the pine forests with a stop for lunch. Through the pines, taking part in a camouflage challenge, we made our way to the sandstone cave for shelter from the unexpected downpour and to create a small survival fire. The glow from the little blaze lit up the walls and bathed us in roasty toasty heatwaves! We roasted some marshmallows, decorated ourselves with charcoal war paint (some with a bit more gusto than others!) then began our journey back. A hunting challenge just outside of the nettle glade allowed us to attempt to take down Barnaby Boar with our trusty pinecones! Though we were unsuccessful, we did manage to catch and handle a small smooth newt, our final wildlife find of the day! Up the zig zag path, we munched on our final rasps, brambles and even a few cheeky alpine strawberries! As always a huge thank you to our Junior Rangers! A photos post will follow shortly and you'll hear about our plans for the autumn very soon! #ExploreDiscoverInspire

For the glory of Rome! Today we covered almost four and half miles up, over and around the magnificent volcanic plug that is Traprain Law! The site of a Celtic hill fort and of one of Scotland's biggest Roman empire treasure hoard finds, the weather was on our side and we were ready for adventure. Setting off up the slopes we made our way to the summit passing hundreds of bumblebees and through big patches of the medicinal yarrow! At the top we settled amongst the rocks and the cairn, next to the bronze age pond and the herd of free roaming ponies. Though the pond wasn't much more than a puddle in this heat, it was chock full of toadlets, back swimmers and efts (baby newts!). We headed downwards now, finding a hidden geocache as we clambered over the great boulders, and a patch of 'sleeping trolls', before stopping at the ruins for lunch. We hugged the law making our way through long grass, thistles, nettles and gorse - getting our fair share of stings and jabs! Finally we made our way to the fantastic site of the historic quarry. Feeling very small within its cavernous basin we took a moment to rest and found ourselves surrounded by dozens of fluttering butterflies! We caught a few and lifted some rocks, finding a number of smooth newts and toadlets as well as plenty of anthills. We traipsed round the edge of the quarry, peering at the cliff face spotting ravens, red kites and even a peregrine falcon! We stomped over their 'kill sites', the rocky floor covered in bones and feathers, then descended into the bowl for a camouflage challenge and the capture of a final palmate newt, finally having to call it a day on our Expedition. As always a huge thank you to our Junior Rangers, a photos post will follow shortly! #ExploreDiscoverInspire

What a wonderful day! Almost 6 miles of beautiful coastline covered across Aberlady Bay. Starting by crossing the stilt bridge over the quick mud, we learned about the power of tides and how the landscape was going to change throughout the day! Our first stop next to the pond allowed us to find some black and yellow cinnabar caterpillars munching away on some ragwort! We also caught grasshoppers and butterflies (safely) with our bare hands! Onwards towards the dunes, we saw grazing roe deer, resting buzzards and a spectacular big, juicy emperor moth caterpillar! Past the fire beaters we reached the dunes and thoroughly enjoyed barreling down them whether upright, rolling or sliding! Now on the sands it was time to discover beach treasures - gorgeous shells, mysterious bones and jiggling jellyfish were all out to see us! Up to Gullane Point for lunch then down to the shale beach for a bit of cairn building. Around the bend and it was time for some rockpooling (after setting out our crab trap). We caught shrimp, hermit crabs, sea lice, anemones, big shore crabs, a goby and quite a few beautiful spotted sea hares (a species of nudibranch, or sea slug). One of the sea hares even used its defensive ink in our bucket to turn it purply red! Time to head back to base now, with almost entirely unbroken sunshine throughout the day, phew! As always a huge thank you to our Junior Rangers, a photos post will follow shortly! #ExploreDiscoverInspire

What a scorcher! Almost 8 and a half miles covered of the roasty toasty Pentland Hills, all starting at Flotterstone! We set off in the sunshine alongside the river and began our ascent towards the peaks of the day! We all grabbed a river stone to take on our adventure and leave at the top (some of us picking bigger rocks than others). Our first stop was at the top of a steep climb before having a rest amongst the sycamores. Looking down at the reservoir we found ourselves a long and furry fox moth caterpillar! Being kind to the sheep and giving thanks to the fungus, it was now time for our first proper climb...to the top of Carnethy hill! Up, up, up we climbed with the sun beating down on us, passing clumps of freshly discarded wool and beautiful blaeberry patches as we tramped upwards. A quick snack at the peak before our final ascent towards Turnhouse Hill. Through windy valleys we climbed and at the top we had our lunch amongst the cairns, adding our river stones to the pile! Now it was time to go down, on the other side of the reservoir now munching on blaeberries and raspberry patches and even catching a little minnow in the stream! Round the reservoir and down the hill, sweaty, exhausted and full of vitamin D, before we knew it, back to base! As always a huge thank you to our Junior Rangers, a photos post will follow shortly! #ExploreDiscoverInspire

What a scorcher! Just under 4 miles covered of the gorgeous Woodhall Dean today on our next Summer Expedition. We started the day learning about the site and how it is one of the rare locations that you can find adders in Scotland! We set off upwards and inwards through the ancient forest, giving thanks to the fungus and clambering over fallen oak trees as we went! We stopped off along the way, making grasswhistles and climbing trees as well as a few camouflage challenges! We splashed in the rivers throwing stones and catching some river wildlife, and we even caught a few mothy friends! After lunch we carried on through the fern paths, searching for basking adders - we spotted one adder and one lizard but they were too fast for all of us to catch a glimpse! Back down to the bridge to find the geocached treasure then onwards to the pond for a last bit of splash time before heading back to base sweaty, soaking and knackered! As always a huge thanks to our Junior Rangers, a photos post to save will follow shortly! #ExploreDiscoverInspire

Almost five wonderful miles covered today all over the different habitats surrounding Red Moss Nature Reserve! We started the day visiting Threipmuir Reservoir, skimming stones and using our sweep net - we caught spiders, flies, froghoppers, moths and even a scorpion fly! 🦂 We headed through the birch woods next, giving thanks to the various fungi we came across, lifting logs and shredding deadwood to find massive violent ground beetles! The raised bog that gives the reserve its name was our next destination. We walked the boardwalk hunting for wildlife and managed to catch a couple of monstrous dragonfly nymphs in the pond before examining the almost alien looking carnivorous plant, the sundew. 🌿 A hill on the horizon to climb now, on our way to the Cairn Crater for lunch. A pause on the way however to examine and enjoy an absolute horde of young toadlets roaming around in the grassland! 🐸 Once at the Crater, we munched then explored, enjoying Bumslide Hill and even finding a sheep carcass and massive puffball mushrooms. We tried our best at making some stone cairns to leave behind and then enjoyed some of natures bounty from Coconut Zachary, learning all about survival 🥥 Down the hill and to the secluded bird hide to see what might be living on Bavelaw Marsh. We caught glimpses of grebes and magnificent whooper swans before turning back towards the car park for home! As always a huge thank you to our Junior Rangers today! A photos post will follow shortly! #ExploreDiscoverInspire

Our Summer Expeditions have begun with a lovely 4 miles covered at Vogrie Country Park! We started the day lifting logs and leaves, giving thanks to the fungus and finding all sorts of beasties! We made our way round to the pond and stumbled across a field of froglets, we managed to get 24 in our bucket in just a few minutes 🐸 just as we were ready to move we spotted a toad and suddenly we had 2/3 of the amphibian trifecta! Finally at the pond we caught pond snails, leeches, back swimmers, pond skaters, diving beetles, tadpoles and massive dragonfly nymphs! In to the deep woods now, giving thanks to more fungus and the trolls under the bridges, over the bog for a rest by the river then up to viewpoint meadow for lunch. We used our sweep net and caught caterpillars, flies, wasps, spiders, butterflies, moths and grasshoppers 🦗 Round to the muddy bank to swing on ropes, slide down slopes and fling pinecones at Barnabus the Boar for a hunting challenge! Just enough time to build and upgrade General Storr the troll's river dam before heading up past the bouncy yew tree and back to base for home time! As always a huge thanks to our Junior Rangers, a photos post will follow shortly for families to enjoy! #ExploreDiscoverInspire

A fantastic finale to our Easter Expeditions today with just over 4 miles covered of the gorgeous Roslin Glen! We started the day with the sun shining, crossing the bridge and having a quick garlicky munch! Round the river rapid rocks for some of Goblin Richard's Riddles Three then around, under and up the sides of Roslin Castle! Into the woods and it was time for a camouflage challenge at the yew tree grove! Lifting logs and rocks we found woodlice, millipedes, centipedes and slugs as well as spotting butterflies and ladybirds aplenty! We trekked across the marshy boardwalks and made our way to the valley glade for lunch. After filling our bellies, we had two Junior Rangers undertaking their Senior Ranger Trials! Time to pass the Trial of Survival first, by building the whole gang a suitable survival fire! Both Junior Rangers were successful and provided us with a blaze to toast our marshmallows and pineapple! Now, down the tricky glen path, hugging cliffs, squelching through mud and climbing over fallen trees to make it to Treasure Beach! We skimmed stones and searched for relics, with everyone finding something to take home including pottery, river glass, crazy stones and "fossils". Upwards and out the woods for our Junior Rangers final trials - after a spot of whittling, the Trial of the Hunt was passed as they both created perfectly suitable spears that flew through the air and plunged into the mud with excellent effect! The final test, the Trial of Leadership, and both Junior Rangers passed by running a wonderful camouflage challenge, wrangling and guiding their fellow Junior Rangers brilliantly! As always a huge thank you to our Junior Rangers, a photos post will follow shortly for families to save! #ExploreDiscoverInspire

Another soaker today with an eventful 2.5 miles covered by the gorgeous Woodhall Dean! Famous for its adder population, we started the day marvelling at the powerful flow of the river through the site because of the heavy rains these past weeks! We read the warning signs about disturbing nesting birds and to keep an eye out for the venomous but misunderstood adders! Into the woods we were finding botanical wonders from the get-go - we spotted the blossoming blackthorn and the pretty primrose as well as some fantastic witch's ear fungus! Next it was the lovely lichens to discover, finding Oak Moss and Old Man's Beard lichens all over the place! Over fallen trees and up ridges, around oaks, birch and pine, we had a snack at the stack, lifting logs in the hope of finding creatures. Along the paths we found discarded bones and broken bird eggs, the signs of a beast feast! Over the ruined bridge past gorse and violets we made shelter for lunch (and found a nearby deer carcass picked clean apart from the hooves). We enjoyed a small survival fire with the customary mallow munch under our tarp as the rain never stopped! A bit of waterfall log chucking with some ring toss challenges before sending Coconut Adam on another river rapids adventure then back to the cars to dry off and warm up! As always a huge thank you to our Junior Rangers, a photos post will follow shortly for families to save! #ExploreDiscoverInspire

Today we had a 4.5 mile Expedition to a rather sunnier Pressmennan Wood! We began the day walking riverside, munching on wild garlic and lifting logs to find woodlice, centipedes, beetles, pillbugs, slugs, snails and weaver spiders! We even got lucky enough to see a grey heron, mute and Berwick swans, mallards and diving ducks enjoying the gorgeous lake! Before moving on we spotted a common toad and all got acquainted before letting them go. Onwards along the lake we found Witch's Ear and Turkey Tail fungus then made our way to the deeper forest for a den upgrade challenge! We munched on some wood sorrel and spotted some primrose while roe deer leaped across the woods on the other side of the lake, past the pines and around the flooded stream it was time for lunch at the head of the lake! After our munch we had a quick go on the rope swing then it was up the muddy slopes to continue our ascent above the trees (being especially careful on the slippery bridge)! Up the wooden steps we had a go at grass whistling and took part in some tricky camouflage challenges, we climbed trees and tossed rings then made an attempt to hunt our glamorous assistant, Coconut Adam, before heading back to the cars! As always a huge thank you to our Junior Rangers, a photos post will follow shortly for families to save! #ExploreDiscoverInspire

One of our wettest Expeditions yet, as we covered almost 4 miles of the beautiful Flotterstone! Prepared for the weather from the get-go, we headed off towards the hills and forests, through the drizzly mist. We crossed Barbara's Troll Bridge and climbed upwards through the gorse following some deer tracks to survey our surroundings, then came back down to find a bit of natural shelter. As we reached the tree line we lifted some logs and rocks, then headed to the ponds where we found some massive piles of frogspawn! We learned that each jelly sphere contained a brand new tadpole just waiting to start their froggy life! Next, we followed the river along to the surging, raging and noisy waterfall! We had just enough time for a muddy, sludgy climbing challenge (complete with a few tumbles!) then back into the trees for lunch. First we had to create our blue tarp shelter to keep the deluge off our heads and then we could dry off and warm up a bit with our wee survival fire...of course there was just enough time for a mallow or two as well! Coconut Adam reared his bristly head as we packed up with a ring toss challenge and as we tried to best him we caught ourselves two common frogs named Freddo and Wispa by our Junior Rangers. Setting our froggy friends free we went to the mossy pine viewpoint then down the river rapids road to the car park. As we went there was puddle plunging, ditch diving and trench trampling to make sure at the final furlong we had not an inch of us left dry! As always a huge thank you to our Junior Rangers, a photos post will arrive shortly for families to save! #ExploreDiscoverInspire

Our Easter Expeditions have begun! With just over 4 miles of the wet and wild Musselburgh Lagoons! Starting the day off in the drizzle, we headed over towards the main lagoon, being careful not to disturb the lovely nesting swans. Armed with our nets, buckets and trays we got acquainted with our equipment and went on the hunt! In no time at all we were practically overflowing with trays full of sticklebacks and a bucket full of toads! We learned all about our catches, before having a little bit of a toad hold then releasing them back into their lagoon home! Next we made our way along the shrub line, finding blackthorn, hawthorn, gorse and holly while we got to know their blossoms and leaves as Spring really begins! Round to the coastal wall for lunch, watching gulls soar on the wind and spotting cormorants glide just above the waves before diving down for their fishy lunch themselves! Next, into the SSSI Levenhall Links bird reserve where we had to be very quiet as we hoped to spy any visiting feathery friends - we saw redshanks and wigeons while skylarks sang overhead. Just enough time for a grass whistle lesson, a few games of Pass the Bass and a hunting challenge with Coconut Adam before heading into the woods to experiment with our digital microscope then back to the cars! As always a huge thank you to our Junior Rangers, a photos post will follow shortly for families to enjoy! #ExploreDiscoverInspire

Just over 5 miles covered in the almost constant pouring rain today on the last of our February Expeditions at Lord Ancrum's Wood! We began the day spotting a goosander resting by the river and inhaling the pungent aromas of wild garlic. We moved around to the ancient fridge, enjoying the carved symbols and spooky echo! Then upwards to upgrade our yew tree den with some excellent additions and a stunning bordered path! Onwards to the badger sett, spotting witches ear fungus as we passed, then to the giant redwood for a snack. We hunted down some geocaches then made our way upwards to the top of the valley and along the forest path to our sheltered lunch spot. We squelched and squished through the soggy, boggy, woodland and came across some witches butter fungus then headed down to bridge for a spot of river jumping! We took part in a canyon challenge or two then said an emotional farewell to Coconut Andrew after his final journey down the raging waterfalls. We crossed over the Esk again and had a final camouflage challenge around the mighty trees of the Newbattle Abbey gardens before heading back to the cars! As always a huge thanks to our Junior Rangers! A photo post for families to save will follow shortly! Thank you all for a wonderful February break! We'll be back on Expeditions in Easter and our calendar will be releasing very soon! #ExploreDiscoverInspire

A soggy, squelchy, stunning 3.8 miles of Temple Woods covered today on the second of our February Expeditions! We started by learning about the Knights Templar who operated in the area, looking at ancient tree roots, mosses and lichens in this rare Midlothian rainforest. We entered the woods, trudging through the mud and spotting a grey heron silently hunting by the river rapids. We explored the river banks and used our portable microscope to examine all manner of natural wonders! Onwards to the 200 year old road bridge where we threw some pinecones into the raging torrent of the waterfall below before continuing past the mighty firs, pines and unusual redwoods. We crossed another stone bridge to the rhododendron glade for some camouflage challenges before enjoying a carpet of snowdrops and lunch at the old pumphouse! We built a wonderful domed den at the base of an enormous fir and carried on round to the extremely soft, squidgy (and punchable) redwoods. A small survival fire was made amongst the beech and chestnut trees, on top of a many-burrowed badger sett! The braver Junior Rangers tried beef jerky, locusts and mealworms before heading back to the village of Temple (with just enough time for some hill climbing, camouflage and microscope challenges on the way). As always a huge thanks to our Junior Rangers! A photo post for families to save will follow shortly! #ExploreDiscoverInspire

A gloriously sunny 4.4. miles of the Dalhousie Castle estate today on the first of our February Expeditions! We started off by venturing along the roadside, looking at the slimy stalactites growing from the bridge as we walked under it, then we hopped over the stone wall and warmed up by the yew trees before traipsing towards the woods. We squeezed past thorny brambles and squelched through boggy puddles giving thanks to the fungus on the way and got to know pesky invasive rhododendron plants a bit better. Trekking past storm toppled trees we came across a fallen silver birch, complete with woodlice, woodlouse eating spiders and pristine woodpecker nests! On to the Deadwoods now, where all green turns to brown and the noise of the forest turns to surrounding silence...We carried on past Smuggler's Bridge, hopping the rivers and getting the sun's rays as we hiked towards the riverbend for lunch (spying a hidden Pale Brindled Beauty moth as we passed). Lunch by the river followed by swinging on some vines then round to the sandy beach for a survival fire and some marshmallow toasting! Back along the river to the ruined tower with just enough time for some camouflage challenges at the end! As always a huge thank you to our Junior Rangers, a photos post for families to save will follow shortly! #ExploreDiscoverInspire

Our October Expeditions ended with just shy of five miles covered at the glorious Butterdean Wood! We started by selecting prime Expedition sticks and practicing our camouflage skills. Then round to the den village for some much needed upgrades and a spot of creature hunting! Finding harvestmen, woodlice and moths we improved the den and moved on spotting a lot of fungus to give thanks to on the way. Snack break at the brick ruins then round the bend, munching wood sorrel and collecting some big, beautiful acorns. On to the Megaden for lunch, munching among the moss and ferns. Afterwards, spear sharpening and a chance to hunt down the infamous James Gourd. Into the birch forests next, practicing our grass whistles and losing boots in the mud. The Pixie Glade was our next stop for a snack trying to beat the challenge of the Forest Whispers with a final trek through the woods, Expedition sticks in hand, back ready for home. As always a huge thank to our Junior Rangers and a special congratulations to Oscar who completed his Junior Ranger trials today and is now a qualified Senior Ranger, able to assist us in our duties on Expeditions from now on! Our Expeditions will return in February but we have big announcements coming in the next few weeks and months, please keep an eye on our social media for updates! A photos post for families to save will follow shortly, thank you all for your support and remember to always explore, keep discovering and stay inspired! #ExploreDiscoverInspire

A gorgeous autumnal adventure at Currie Wood today, covering almost 3 and a half miles! We warmed up with the mist and frost then got stuck in to our Expedition, collecting a few chestnuts that had escaped the squirrels! We sploshed stones in the stream, caught a couple of caddisfly larvae and munched on a lovely bit of sorrel. Up the hills and through the pines we gave thanks to some fungus and listened for the birds flitting between the branches. After a quick snack and some camouflage challenges we made our way to the hidden glen for river jumping, tree climbing, moss squishing and most importantly, lunch! Afterwards, we made a small survival fire and learned the importance of heat, light and smoke if you are out in the wild. We toasted mallows on homemade skewers then made our way across the troll bridge before taking place in a hunting challenge with the help of James Gourd. Down to the river for a last bit of bum sliding, tree climbing and chestnut hunting then back to the base to say goodbye. As always a huge thank you to our Junior Rangers, a photos post for families to save will follow shortly. See you tomorrow! #ExploreDiscoverInspire

Our final Expedition of Summer 2023 was a scorching six miles covered at the gorgeous Vogrie Country Park! We started the day climbing the giant's chairs and giant's bicycle, finding a huge variety of fungus as well as beetles, moths, centipedes, millipedes, woodlice, earwigs, snails slugs, froglets and toadlets right off the bat! Munching on wild raspberries, we went to the Rearward Pond next and found some absolute Wilderness Rangers beauties - a diving beetle, a young newt (an eft), tadpoles, tadpoles, back swimmers, water boatmen a dragonfly nymph and even spotting dragonflies on the wing! Into the deep woods next having a logside snack break followed by another fungus foray, passing a buzzing, bustling wasp byke as we did. Down the valley and over the bog bridges we traversed the nettle fields to the Druid's Path and, after a slight detour, it was the canopy meadow viewpoint for lunch as soaring, shrieking buzzards circled overhead. We moved on to our activity slope where we swung and splashed before taking on Ben Cantaloupe in a pinecone throwing hunting challenge. Next we added and upgraded a fantastic den surrounding it with ferny cladding and adding structural timbers. Out of the valley to the yew tree for a climb then along to base to finish! As always a huge thank you to our Junior Rangers, and thank you for a fantastic Summer season! A photos post for families to save will follow shortly. #ExploreDiscoverInspire

6 wild miles covered today on our Expedition to Aberlady Bay! We started by crossing the boardwalk bridge over the mud flats into the very special reserve. Catching moths, watching geese and smelling the fields of meadowsweet as we started our trek, it was no time at all before we'd caught some lovely toadlets and a wee frog as well! Through the thorny Buckthorn Tunnel, spotting scurrying mice, wobbly witch's ear fungus and deadly nightshade berries we took shelter from a downpour and had a quick snack. On to the dunes next, we saw hovering kestrels, a cinnabar moth caterpillar and a snoozing roe deer! The Triple Path Dune Challenge tested our mettle just as the sun came out then on to the beach, empty of everyone but ourselves. Gullane Point for lunch, munching among the grassy crags, listening to the waves, watching cormorants fly past and getting a spectacular view of gannets diving and soaring around us! We found a colourful Carrion Beetle, stopped at Shell Beach Cove to hunt for some treasures then back along the sand we went. Spotting crab claws, seaweed, bumblebees and jellyfish we played a few games of Trappers before retracing our steps on the dunes as we headed for home. We had just enough time to examine our treasures under the microscope then it was back across the bridge and the day had come to a close. As always a huge thank you to our Junior Rangers, a photos post for families to save will follow shortly! See you next week for our final Expedition of Summer 2023! #ExploreDiscoverInspire

In one of our more challenging locations for an Expedition, our Junior Rangers covered over 5 miles of the Pentlands at Allermuir Hill! We stretched off and warmed up at ground level then started the half-day climb, we stopped amongst ferns and grasses to do some sweep netting then headed into the only woodlands of the day to try and collect Expedition sticks (with just enough time for a quick camouflage challenge). We stopped for our first snack break at Viewpoint Bench, spying the city of Edinburgh, across to Fife, the Bass Rock and of course IKEA. Onwards and upwards, spotting a crawling hairy fox moth caterpillar and snacking on blaeberries as we climbed. We had lunch at the top of Allermuir Hill, sheltering from the blustering winds amongst the grassy tussocks and hard stones, surrounded by huge violet ground beetles! After munching, the day was downhill! We had a blaeberry harvest challenge and made our way to the steep and splintering Scree Slope! After clambering up, and stone-sliding down, we passed a pair of Kyloes (Highland cows) and curved round the top of Hillend before making our way back to where it all began, tired and proud! As always a huge thank you to our Junior Rangers, a photos post will follow shortly for parents to save! See you next week! #ExploreDiscoverInspire