Angus Council has announced that a New Ranger Base is to be built at Glen Doll.

Since April 1998 Angus Council has provided a Ranger Service for the Angus Glens based in Glen Doll. The Service comprises two full time countryside rangers who work from a farmhouse rented by the council.
 
The Forestry Commission car park and picnic area is the entrance point for Corrie Fee National Nature Reserve, the Glen Doll forest trails and also gives access to several popular Munro’s (mountains over 3000 feet).
 
Visitor pressure particularly in Glen Doll and Glen Clova continues to grow with over 75,000 people per annum using the facilities at Glen Doll. In addition to hill walkers and casual visitors, a significant number of educational groups have used the site for studies associated with the natural heritage including fauna, flora, geological and geomorphological features. Outdoor Education activities have also been offered. The site is also used for practical conservation training by various colleges and further education bodies.
 
The Angus Glens Ranger Service provides, manages and maintains visitor services including:

• Information and advice on the natural heritage.
• Environmental Education Resource for schools, colleges and other                 informal groups.
• Information and advice for climbers and walkers.
• Advice to visitors regarding land management and access issues.
• Ranger led activities including guided walks, workshops and conservation work.
• Maintenance of footpaths, stiles, bridges, hill paths, forest trails and signs. 

See What's On Locally for details of the Ranger Guided Walks for the remainder of the Year. 

The Ranger Service is currently based in Braedownie Farm House, which is situated some distance from the Glen Doll car park, picnic site and main area of visitor activity. It is considered essential that the rangers are based close to the formal facilities in a purpose built facility to enable better management of the site and ease of access to the public for the provision of information and advice.
 
Angus Council has been working on designs for this facility and has applied for grant funding from Cairngorms National Park Authority, Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage. The project is estimated to cost in the region of £395,000 and will include public toilets, reception area, project room for group study, ranger’s office, messing facilities, and storage.
 
The base will be a timber construction with a traditional larch board exterior. It is intended that construction will commence in September 2007 and made weather tight before the winter with the opening in early March 2008.

Thank you to Heather Boag for kind permission to reproduce her photographs of the lovely scenery of Glen Doll