Ranger Service Events Programme
Ranger events and activities run throughout the year, aiming to provide interest to people of all ages and abilities.
Organised groups and individuals can make alternative arrangements for Ranger-led walks, talks and activities by contacting any of the Ranger bases. The majority of events last approximately 1-1.5hours and incur a small fee of £3 per adult and £2 per child, unless stated otherwise. Payment may be required on booking. Always wear suitable clothing for outdoor events and activities. To ensure your place please do book in advance.
The Ranger Service also leads other environmental groups and their programmes are available on request from the Ranger Service - for children the "Ecomaniacs" at Beecraigs Country Park, the "Young Explorers" at Polkemmet Country Park and for adults the "Mid-Week Naturalists".
August
• March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December
Sunday 1st August "ART IN THE PARK" 14:00-15:30
Get artistic during Love Parks Week and help us to make earthy art from nature.
Suitable for: Families
Meet: Visitor Centre, Almondell and Calderwood Country Park
Cost: £2 per person. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 882254 for further details.
Love Parks Week event
Sunday 1st August "POLKEMMET EXPLORER (West Side)" 14:00-15:30
An ideal way to learn more about the Park. Join a Ranger on a guided tour of the west side of the Park, looking at history, wildlife, recreation and conservation. Points of interest include the river Almond, beech copse, old army barracks and watermill lade. Paths and tracks.
Suitable for: All (Note: not suitable for those requiring wheelchair access)
Meet: Park reception, Polkemmet Country Park, nr Whitburn.
Cost: Free. Telephone the Ranger on 01501 743905 for further details.
Love Parks Week event
Wednesday 4th August "WOODLAND WONDERS" 13:30-15:30
Discover the wonders of the woods! Can you follow a trail of animal tracks? See where they lead, join us at the campfire and listen to woodland stories. Booking essential.
Suitable for: Families with children aged 4-8.
Meet: Lochside Car Park, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: £2 per person. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Friday 6th August "FAMILY FRIENDLY BADGER WATCH" Time to be confirmed
Join the Ranger Service to discover more about these intriguing animals. There will be a small presentation followed by an evening in the badger hide. Wear sturdy footwear and bring binoculars and a torch. No perfume or aftershaves. Booking essential as numbers are limited.
Suitable for: Families
Meet: Sutherland Building, adjacent to Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: Adult £4.50 Child £2.50. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Saturday 7th August "ECOMANIACS - LET'S GET GRUBBY" 14:-00-15:30
Aged between 8 and 12 years, interested in nature and wildlife, and enjoy having fun out-of-doors? Join the Ecomaniacs club based at Beecraigs Country Park and work in conjunction with the John Muir Trust to achieve the Discovery Award for keen participants. Spaces are limited so booking is essential.
Meet: Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: Child £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Scottish Wildlife Trust Wildlife Week
Wednesday 11th August "MIDWEEK NATURALISTS GROUP - 5 SISTERS BING" 10am
Quiet road, tracks and dismantled railway walking around the base of this famous Scheduled monument. Circular route. 3 Kilometres.
Meet: Park at road junction leading to City Farm at (NT 014 645).
Telephone the Ranger on 01501 743905 for further details.
Wednesday 11th August "BUILD A BIRD BOX" 13:30-15:00
Come along and build yourself a bird box to take home and put up in your garden.
Suitable for: All
Meet: Sutherland Building, adjacent to Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: £4.50 per bird box. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Wednesday 11th August "ART ATTACK" 14:00-15:00
Getting crafty with nature.
Suitable for: Families
Meet: Visitor Centre, Almondell and Calderwood Country Park
Cost: £2 per person. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 882254 for further details.
Saturday 14th August "YOUNG EXPLORERS - ALL THE B'S" 14:00
We’re looking for flying things today. Help us find Bees, butterflies and birds. Heads up!
Meet: Park reception, Polkemmet Country Park, nr Whitburn.
Cost: £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01501 743905 for further details.
Sunday 15th August "POLKEMMET EXPLORER (East side)" 14:00-15:30
An ideal way to learn more about the Park. Join a Ranger on a guided tour of the east side of the park, looking at history, wildlife, recreation and conservation. Points of interest include the River Almond, site of an old house, pond, horn sculpture and mausoleum. Suitable for pushchairs. Mostly paths.
Suitable for: All
Meet: Park reception, Polkemmet Country Park, nr Whitburn.
Cost: Free. Telephone the Ranger on 01501 743905 for further details.
Sunday 15th August "ALMONDELL BAT WALK" Time to be confirmed
Looking and listening for bats. Booking essential.
Suitable for: All
Meet: Visitor Centre, Almondell and Calderwood Country Park
Cost: Adult £3 Child £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 882254 for further details.
European Bat Weekend event
Friday 20th August "CREATURES OF THE NIGHT" 20:00-21:30
Join us for an evening stroll, where we hope to see nocturnal creatures like bats, badgers and foxes. Bring a torch and wrap up warm. Booking essential.
Suitable for: All
Meet: Sutherland Building, adjacent to Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: Adult £3 Child £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Thursday 26th August "OAKBANK & CALDERWOOD" Midweek Walk 13:30-16:00
A diverse walk through ancient woodland and reclaimed shale deposits found in the less well-known areas of the Country Park. Approx. 6.5kms (4mls)
Suitable for: All (Note: rough tracks with some uphill and steps)
Meet: Oakbank car park A71. (NT 078 662)
Cost: Adult £3.50 Child £2.50. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 882254 for further details.
Friday 27th August "BEECRAIGS BAT WALK" 19:30-21:00
Join the Rangers for an evening of discovery. Listen out for bats using a bat detector and hopefully we will see one up close. Bring a torch and wrap up warm. Booking essential.
Suitable for: All
Meet: Sutherland Building, adjacent to Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: Adult £3 Child £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Saturday 28th August "DEDRIDGE POND & WOOD WALK" 14:00-15:30
The Dedridge Environment and Ecology Project (DEEP) has been going on for a number of years. Find out what changes we’ve made to improve the habitat for wildlife and people.
Suitable for: All
Meet: Lanthorn Community Centre entrance (NT 060 664), Dedridge, Livingston.
Cost: Adult £3 Child £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01501 743905 for further details.
September
• March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December
Friday 3rd September "BEECRAIGS BADGER WATCH" Time to be confirmed
Join the Ranger Service to discover more about these intriguing animals. There will be a small presentation followed by an evening in the badger hide. Wear sturdy footwear and bring binoculars and a torch. No perfume or aftershaves. Booking essential as numbers are limited.
Suitable for: Adults and children over 12 years old
Meet: Sutherland Building, adjacent to Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: Adult £4.50 Child £2.50. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Saturday 4th September "ECOMANIACS - SURVIVAL SKILLS" 14:-00-15:30
Aged between 8 and 12 years, interested in nature and wildlife, and enjoy having fun out-of-doors? Join the Ecomaniacs club based at Beecraigs Country Park and work in conjunction with the John Muir Trust to achieve the Discovery Award for keen participants. Spaces are limited so booking is essential.
Meet: Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: Child £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Scottish Wildlife Trust Wildlife Week
Saturday 11th September "FOOD FOR FREE" 13:30-15:00
With autumn showing its face lets make the most of nature’s harvest! Come take a walk through Beecraigs and find out where tasty wild foods can be found.
Suitable for: All
Meet: Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: Adult £3 Child £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Saturday 11th September "YOUNG EXPLORERS - DEN BUILDING" 14:00
Let’s head over to our secret clearing in the woods and build ourselves a den. We’ll need to use what’s lying around.
Meet: Park reception, Polkemmet Country Park, nr Whitburn.
Cost: £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01501 743905 for further details.
Wednesday 15th September "MIDWEEK NATURALISTS GROUP - ALMONDELL COUNTRY PARK" 10am
Mature trees, plantation and riverside walking along the Almond. 3k. Circular route.
Meet: Park in north car park (NT 090 696).
Telephone the Ranger on 01501 743905 for further details.
20-26/09/10 Health Walks
Tuesday 21st September "BROXBURN COMMUNITY WOODLAND" 13:30-15:00
Get on the move in Broxburn and enjoy the views as we explore this growing community woodland and find out about Artlink’s Kirkhill Pillar Project. Approx. 3.3kms (2mls)
Suitable for: All (Note: paths and tracks with some uphill)
Meet: Broxburn Academy (NT 071 725)
Cost: Free. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 882254 for further details.
West Lothian Walking Week event
Thursday 23rd September "POWIES PATH" 13:30-15:30
Get on the Move in Almondell and explore the history and wildlife of this ancient route from Almondell to Bridgend. Approx. 6.5kms (4mls)
Suitable for: All (Note: rough tracks with steep steps to viaduct)
Meet: Visitor Centre, Almondell and Calderwood Country Park
Cost: Free. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 882254 for further details.
West Lothian Walking Week event
Saturday 25th September "EAST CALDER & OAKBANK" 10:30-12:30
Get on the move in East Calder and blow the cobwebs away with this healthy walk from the village to the top of Oakbank Bing. Approx. 5.8kms (3½ mls)
Suitable for: All (Note: pavement, tracks with some uphill)
Meet: Almondell and Calderwood Country Park, South Car Park, East Calder
Cost: Free. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 882254 for further details.
West Lothian Walking Week event
Sunday 26th September "EASTER BREICH WALK" 14:00-15:30
This walk follows the River Almond and Almond Pools out through farmland and new plantation. The walk is for the pure pleasure of being outdoors and being active.
Suitable for: All
Meet: Car park just off Fraser road, Kirkton Campus (NT 026 666), Livingston.
Cost: Free. Telephone the Ranger on 01501 743905 for further details.
West Lothian Walking Week event
October
• March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December
Saturday 2nd October "ECOMANIACS - LANTERN MAKING" 14:-00-15:30
Aged between 8 and 12 years, interested in nature and wildlife, and enjoy having fun out-of-doors? Join the Ecomaniacs club based at Beecraigs Country Park and work in conjunction with the John Muir Trust to achieve the Discovery Award for keen participants. Spaces are limited so booking is essential.
Meet: Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: Child £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Scottish Wildlife Trust Wildlife Week
Sunday 3rd October "FOOD FOR FREE" 13:30-15:00
With autumn underway, let’s make the most of nature’s harvest! Come take a walk through Beecraigs and find out where tasty wild foods can be found.
Suitable for: All
Meet: Balvormie Car Park, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: Adult £3 Child £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Tree Council’s - Seed Gathering Season event
Saturday 9th October "YOUNG EXPLORERS - EARTH DWELLERS" 14:00
What creatures live underground? How do they get there? Can we see them? Come and do some detective work.
Meet: Park reception, Polkemmet Country Park, nr Whitburn.
Cost: £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01501 743905 for further details.
Sunday 10th October "FABULOUS FUNGI FUN " 13:30-15:00
Come forage for the fascinating fungi that can be found in Beecraigs Country Park.
Suitable for: All
Meet: Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: Adult £3 Child £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Saturday 16th October "FEED THE BIRDS" 13:30-15:00
Let’s help out our feathered friends by making some bird feeders to take home to put up in your garden.
Suitable for: All
Meet: Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: Adult £3 Child £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Sunday 17th October "TOADSTOOL TOUR" 14:00-15:30
Foraging for fungi in Calderwood.
Suitable for: All (Note: rough tracks with steep uphill section)
Meet: Gasworks Brae, Mid-Calder (NT 076 0676)
Cost: Adult £3 Child £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 882254 for further details.
Saturday 23rd October "DEER WALK" 13:30-14:30
Guided walk around the Deer Attraction. A chance to get up close to Britain’s largest mammal and learn about their life cycle. This time of year is known as the ‘rut’ and is when male deer (stags) compete for females. Loud bellows and dominant posturing is often heard and seen at this time of year. Booking essential.
Suitable for: All
Meet: Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: Adult £3 Child £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Sunday 24th October "LANTERN MAKING" 13:30-14:30
Let’s get crafty and make paper lanterns. All materials will be provided. Take it home and use it at Halloween! Booking essential.
Suitable for: Families
Meet: Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: £2 per person. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Saturday 30th October "MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY" 11:30-15:30
Come help the Ranger Service with some practical conservation tasks to make Beecraigs Country Park a great place for wildlife and visitors. Bring some lunch, waterproofs and sturdy footwear.
Suitable for: Adults and children over 12
Meet: Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: Free. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
November
• March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December
Saturday 6th November "ECOMANIACS - BIRD FEEDERS" 14:-00-15:30
Aged between 8 and 12 years, interested in nature and wildlife, and enjoy having fun out-of-doors? Join the Ecomaniacs club based at Beecraigs Country Park and work in conjunction with the John Muir Trust to achieve the Discovery Award for keen participants. Spaces are limited so booking is essential.
Meet: Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: Child £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Scottish Wildlife Trust Wildlife Week
Sunday 14th November "THE JABBERWOCKY AND ALMONDELL GEOLOGY" 14:00-15:30
Take a step back in time to an imaginary prehistoric forest filled with amazing creatures on this family walk with geologist Richard Johnson. Find out all about local geological features and how they were formed.
Suitable for: All
Meet: Visitor Centre, Almondell and Calderwood Country Park
Cost: Adult £3 Child £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 882254 for further details.
Saturday 27th November "TREE O’ CLOCK " Time to be confirmed
As part of National Tree Week Beecraigs Country Park aims to plant as many trees in 1 hour as possible. To do this we need your help! Phone for details.
Suitable for: All
Meet: Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: Free. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Tree Council - National Tree Week event
December
• March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December
Saturday 4th December "NATIONAL TREE WEEK" 14:00-15:30
National Tree Week is UK's largest tree celebration annually launching the start of the winter tree planting season. Come along and help us plant some native trees. Wellies would be good, and please bring a spade if you have it. We will provide trees, advice and a smile!
Suitable for: All
Meet: Park reception, Polkemmet Country Park, nr Whitburn.
Cost: Free. Telephone the Ranger on 01501 743905 for further details.
Saturday 4th December "ECOMANIACS - CRAFTY CHRISTMAS" 14:-00-15:30
Aged between 8 and 12 years, interested in nature and wildlife, and enjoy having fun out-of-doors? Join the Ecomaniacs club based at Beecraigs Country Park and work in conjunction with the John Muir Trust to achieve the Discovery Award for keen participants. Spaces are limited so booking is essential.
Meet: Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: Child £2. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Scottish Wildlife Trust Wildlife Week
Saturday 18th December "CHRISTMAS DEER WALKS" 11:00 and 14:00
Accompany the Ranger as we check the sleigh pullers, feed the deer their magic food and make sure everything is OK for the work ahead. Wear warm clothes and sturdy footwear / wellington boots. Booking essential as places book out very quickly. Phone for details.
Suitable for: All
Meet: Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: Adult £4.50 Child £2.50. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Sunday 19th December "CHRISTMAS DEER WALKS" 11:00 and 14:00
Accompany the Ranger as we check the sleigh pullers, feed the deer their magic food and make sure everything is OK for the work ahead. Wear warm clothes and sturdy footwear / wellington boots. Booking essential as places book out very quickly. Phone for details.
Suitable for: All
Meet: Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park.
Cost: Adult £4.50 Child £2.50. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 for further details.
Sunday 19th December "CHRISTMAS CHEER" 14:00-15:30
Christmas crafts with natural materials.
Suitable for: Families
Meet: Visitor Centre, Almondell and Calderwood Country Park
Cost: £2 per person. Telephone the Ranger on 01506 882254 for further details.
• March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December