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 £2 per adult and £1 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 Naturalists" at Polkemmet Country Park and for adults the "Mid-Week Naturalists".
Only the events from April to end of August 2009 have so far been added to the web site. It is hoped that full details will be available soon.
August
• June • July • August • September • October • November • December
Saturday 1st. August "POND STUDY" - supporting Love Parks Week - 14:00 start
Come along and discover what lives in the pond, how they survive and what this means. A fun event for all the family! Meet at Balvormie car park, Beecraigs Country Park. Booking preferred. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 or e-mail mail@beecraigs.com
Sunday 2nd. August "POLKEMMET" - supporting Love Parks Week - 14:00 start
A look around the main attractions of this old woodland estate focusing on history, nature and recreation - past and present. Meet at Polkemmet Train car park, Polkemmet Country Park (grid ref NS 923 644). For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01501 743905 or e-mail hugh.ilgunas@westlothian.gov.uk
Wednesday 6th. August "ART ATTACK" 14:00 start
Getting crafty with nature. Meet at the Visitor Centre, Almondell & Calderwood Country Park. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 882254 or e-mail almondell&calderwood@westlothian.gov.uk
Sunday 9th. August "ALMONDELL BAT WALK"
Batty adventures after dark - looking and listening for bats. Meet at the Visitor Centre, Almondell & Calderwood Country Park. BOOKING ESSENTIAL For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 882254 or e-mail almondell&calderwood@westlothian.gov.uk
Friday 14th. August "BEECRAIGS BADGER WATCH"
Join the Ranger to discover more about & to watch these intriguing animals. Bring binoculars, no perfume or aftershave scents to be worn. BOOKING ESSENTIAL as places are limited to a maximum of 16 persons. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 or e-mail mail@beecraigs.com Cost £4 adult, £2 child.
Saturday 15th. August "ECOMANIACS - BAT WALK" 13:30-15:30
Join the club for young people aged 8-11years if you love the outdoors and want to learn more about nature and the environment. Explore a mysterious world of winged mammals as dusk falls. Has anyone moved into your new bat boxes? BOOKING ESSENTIAL as places are limited to a maximum of 12 people. Cost £1.50 child. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 or e-mail mail@beecraigs.com
Wednesday 19th. August "OAKBANK" 14:00 start
Wildflowers and animal wildlife at this reclaimed industrial site now nature haven. Approx. 2kms/1.75miles over 1.5hours. Meet at Oakbank car park, near Almondell & Calderwood Country Park. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 882254 or e-mail almondell&calderwood@westlothian.gov.uk
Friday 21st. August "POLKEMMET BAT WALK"
A walk at dusk with local bat enthusiasts to locate resident bats and their roosts. Bat detectors will help us hear our flying friends. Warm clothing and boots advised. Meet at Polkemmet Train car park, Polkemmet Country Park (grid ref NS 923 648). BOOKING ESSENTIAL For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01501 743905 or e-mail hugh.ilgunas@westlothian.gov.uk
Saturday 22nd. August "BAT BOX CONSTRUCTION" 13:30 start
Help make homes for the Park's tiny pipistrelle bats. Kits provided and 30 required. Make 2 boxes and come along to the Beecraigs bat walk on the 28th. for free! BOOKING PREFERRED Meet at the Sutherland Building, adjacent to the Beecraigs Country Park Visitor Centre. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 or e-mail mail@beecraigs.com
Friday 28th. August "BEECRAIGS BAT WALK"
Join the Ranger and the Lothian Bat Group for an evening of discovery. Listen for bats using a bat detector and hopefully we may see one up close. Bring a torch. BOOKING ESSENTIAL Meet at the Sutherland Building, adjacent to the Beecraigs Country Park Visitor Centre. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 or e-mail mail@beecraigs.com Cost £3 adult, £1.50 child - all money raised goes to the Lothian Bat Group for local conservation work.
Sunday 29th. August "MURIESTON WATER" 14:00 start
A leafy loop either side of the Murieston water. Popular walk with plenty of things to see and lots of history to hear about. Meet at the Livingston South train car park, Murieston (grid ref NT061 652). For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01501 743905 or e-mail hugh.ilgunas@westlothian.gov.uk
September
• June • July • August • September • October • November • December
Friday 4th. September "BEECRAIGS BADGER WATCH"
Join the Ranger to discover more about & to watch these intriguing animals. Bring binoculars, no perfume or aftershave scents to be worn. BOOKING ESSENTIAL as places are limited to a maximum of 16 persons. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 or e-mail mail@beecraigs.com Cost £4 adult, £2 child.
Saturday 12th. September "ECOMANIACS - ANCIENT TREE HUNT" 13:30-15:30
Join the club for young people aged 8-11years if you love the outdoors and want to learn more about nature and the environment. Join us as we measure out largest trees to put in the ancient tree database. Can we find any that are bigger than at Almondell or Polkemmet? BOOKING ESSENTIAL as places are limited to a maximum of 12 people. Cost £1.50 child. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 or e-mail mail@beecraigs.com
Tuesday 22nd. September "ALMONDELL" - supporting West Lothian Walking Week - 10:30
Keep on the move and join in a healthy walk around Almondell. Surfaced paths with uphill and viaduct steps. Approx. 3kms/2miles over 1.25hours. Meet at the Visitor Centre, Almondell & Calderwood Country Park. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 882254 or e-mail almondell&calderwood@westlothian.gov.uk
Thursday 24th. September "PUMPHERSTON PONDS" - supporting West Lothian Walking Week - 14:00
On the move in Pumpherston. Rough tracks. Approx. 2.5kms/1.5miles over 1hours. Meet at Pumpherston Post Office. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 882254 or e-mail almondell&calderwood@westlothian.gov.uk
Saturday 26th. September "EASTER BREICH" 14:00-16:00
A pan-handle walk on good paths along the River Almond and through a young mixed woodland. A good walk in pleasant country surroundings. Meet at Almond Pools car park (grid ref NT 029 665). For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01501 743905 or e-mail hugh.ilgunas@westlothian.gov.uk
Saturday 26th. September "KIRKNEWTON COMMUNITY WOOD" - supporting West Lothian Walking Week - 11:00
On the move in Kirknewton. Paths and tracks. Approx. 2.5kms/1.5miles over 1hours. Meet at Kirknewton Post Office. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 882254 or e-mail almondell&calderwood@westlothian.gov.uk
Sunday 27th. September "BEECRAIGS LOCH WALK" - supporting West Lothian Walking Week - 13:30
A guided walk at a leisurely pace around the Loch looking at the wildlife, plants and history. Suitable for all abilities. BOOKING PREFERRED Meet at the Lochside car park, Beecraigs Country Park. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 or e-mail mail@beecraigs.com
October
• June • July • August • September • October • November • December
Sunday 4th. October "POLKEMMET FUNGI WALK" 14:00
Exploring the fascinating world of fungi around Polkemmet. Meet at the Park Centre, Polkemmet Country Park. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01501 743905 or e-mail hugh.ilgunas@westlothian.gov.uk
Saturday 17th. October "ECOMANIACS - MINI-BEASTS MANSIONS" 13:30-15:30
Join the club for young people aged 8-11years if you love the outdoors and want to learn more about nature and the environment. Come and help the wildlife of Beecraigs with its autumn preparations by building some homes for some of our smallest residents. BOOKING ESSENTIAL as places are limited to a maximum of 12 people. Cost £1.50 child. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 or e-mail mail@beecraigs.com
Sunday 18th. October "FANTASTIC FUNGI" - 14:00
Foraging for fungi in Calderwood. Rough tracks. Meet at Gasworks Brae, Midcalder, Almondell & Calderwood Country Park. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 882254 or e-mail almondell&calderwood@westlothian.gov.uk
November
• June • July • August • September • October • November • December
Saturday 14th. November "ECOMANIACS - HEAVENS ABOVE!" 13:30-15:30
Join the club for young people aged 8-11years if you love the outdoors and want to learn more about nature and the environment. We'll take a look at the constellations that make-up our night sky and the stories that gave them their names. BOOKING ESSENTIAL as places are limited to a maximum of 12 people. Cost £1.50 child. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 or e-mail mail@beecraigs.com
November - TO BE CONFIRMED - ROYAL OBSERVATORY VISIT
Enjoy a presentation by the Royal Observatory followed by an opportunity to view stars and planets by telescope.
December
• June • July • August • September • October • November • December
Saturday 12th. December "ECOMANIACS - CRAFTY CHRISTMAS" 13:30-15:30
Join the club for young people aged 8-11years if you love the outdoors and want to learn more about nature and the environment. Come and use the materials that nature has provided at Beecraigs to create some Christmas decorations that you can take away and display at home. BOOKING ESSENTIAL as places are limited to a maximum of 12 people. Cost £1.50 child. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 or e-mail mail@beecraigs.com
Saturday 19th. December "BEECRAIGS CHRISTMAS DEER WALK" 11:00
Accompany the Ranger as we check-out the sleigh pullers, sprinkle the magic dust and make sure everything is OK for the work ahead. Wear wellington boots as this can be a bit muddy. BOOKING ESSENTIAL as places are limited. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 or e-mail mail@beecraigs.com Cost £4 adult, £2 child.
Saturday 19th. December "BEECRAIGS CHRISTMAS DEER WALK" 14:00
Accompany the Ranger as we check-out the sleigh pullers, sprinkle the magic dust and make sure everything is OK for the work ahead. Wear wellington boots as this can be a bit muddy. BOOKING ESSENTIAL as places are limited. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 or e-mail mail@beecraigs.com Cost £4 adult, £2 child.
Sunday 20th. December "BEECRAIGS CHRISTMAS DEER WALK" 11:00
Accompany the Ranger as we check-out the sleigh pullers, sprinkle the magic dust and make sure everything is OK for the work ahead. Wear wellington boots as this can be a bit muddy. BOOKING ESSENTIAL as places are limited. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 or e-mail mail@beecraigs.com Cost £4 adult, £2 child.
Sunday 20th. December "BEECRAIGS CHRISTMAS DEER WALK" 14:00
Accompany the Ranger as we check-out the sleigh pullers, sprinkle the magic dust and make sure everything is OK for the work ahead. Wear wellington boots as this can be a bit muddy. BOOKING ESSENTIAL as places are limited. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 844516 or e-mail mail@beecraigs.com Cost £4 adult, £2 child.
Sunday 20th. December "CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS" 14:00
Making Christmas decorations from natural materials. Meet at the Visitor Centre, Almondell & Calderwood Country Park. For further information, telephone the Ranger on 01506 882254 or e-mail almondell&calderwood@westlothian.gov.uk