Freelance Ranger

26/05/2026

I'm looking forward to being on an amazing beach this weekend. I hope some of you can join me for a bit of fun and outdoor learning 😄

**THIS WEEKEND** Join us and for a day on the beach in the Biosphere Community of Kirkcolm. All activities are free and family-friendly, and include arts & crafts, boat trips, Qi Gong, exploring with Biosphere Guide Elizabeth Tindal (Freelance Ranger), and much more!

Saturday 30th May, 11am - 3pm. No requirement to book.

Kirkcolm Coastal Adventure Day is part of the Solway Coast and Marine Project (SCAMP Landscape Connections) supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players.

Kirkcolm Community Hub kirkcolm Art Group Kirkcolm youth club Dumfries and Galloway Council

22/05/2026

Can you spot the Freelance Ranger in this cartoon?

21/05/2026

The 1st Dark Sky Festival for the South of Scotland is going to be amazing. I'm looking forward to toasting lots of marshmallows as well as seeing lots of stars

Planning is well underway for the first ever South of Scotland Dark Sky Festival (9th - 18th October 2026), coordinated by the South of Scotland Destination Alliance and our team here at the GSA Biosphere Partnership.

Businesses, communities, local organisations and attractions are all encouraged to get involved, not just for the festival week but right through autumn/winter's crisp and beautiful nights that make our International Dark Sky Park so stunning and so special.

To help you get started the SSDA team have produced a fantastic festival toolkit including promotional assets and webinar recordings. Dark Sky Festival events are being listed now so it's not too early to start planning! https://www.ssdalliance.com/darkskyfestival/

For those thinking about coming to the festival, you can view all events listings here: https://scotlandstartshere.com/event/ (Keep this bookmarked, there will be lots more to come between now and October!)

Anyone who would like to get in touch to discuss an idea, event or collaboration is warmly invited to get in touch with our Business Development Officer, Jake McLaughlan: [email protected].

📷 Dark skies with marshmallows by Freelance Ranger 💛

12/05/2026

Another great event from Dumfries and Galloway Outdoor and Woodland Learning Group there are some great workshops so book you place now!

Educators are invited to join a collaborative networking and professional learning (CLPL) event on Sunday 31st May, co-organised by Dumfries and Galloway Outdoor and Woodland Learning Group and SRUC Barony Campus.

Designed for nursery and school teachers, this session will support those looking to deepen and enrich their outdoor learning practice. Bringing together professionals with a shared commitment to Learning for Sustainability, the event offers a valuable space to connect, share experiences and explore practical approaches that can be applied across early years and beyond.

Follow the link if you’d like to find out more or book your free place 👉 https://buff.ly/ApaNUAE

learning

01/04/2026

I had a great Dark SKy Experience with Tracy Moseley and family as they visited all of the 7 stanes in 7 days. See what we got up to in the film 🌟🤩

7 Stanes in 7 Days - OUT NOW! Link below to watch full film.

Follow Tracy, and family and find out what happens when you take on all 7Stanes trail centres in the South of Scotland, in just seven days, with a 7 year old!

Also check out ITV Border tonight at 6pm for a live interview with Tracy at Glentress.

Please leave a comment if you like the film and let us know if it inspires you to create your own family adventure on two wheels.

A film by Ross La Trobe Ross La Trobe
Images by Pete Scullion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p63u5h5iDsM

Huge thanks to all of the project partners for helping bring Tracy's vision to life.

Scottish Cycling Scottish Cycling Foundation Osprey Europe Trek Bicycle Hope Technology Ltd Dometic Exposure South of Scotland Destination Alliance GO Tweed Valley Forestry and Land Scotland Ordnance Survey roadsurfer

11/03/2026

These are great workshops creating you own sound and music makers here in Dumfries and Galloway. They are on Friday and Saturday this week. Please book a place and come along

🌳 Last Few Spaces – Music in the Woods! 🎶

We still have a few places left on our upcoming Music in the Woods workshops and would love to welcome a few more people along.

Come and enjoy a relaxed session of music, rhythm and creativity in the woodland – no musical experience needed.

Dates:
🌿 Friday 13 March – The Wild Playground (NEST – DGOWL) FREE
🌿 Saturday 14 March – Hardgate Primary £10 (Eventbrite)

These are now open to anyone who would like to come along.

📩 Message us
📧 [email protected]

🌐 https://dgowl.co.uk/skills-shares-and-workshops/

Come and make some music in the woods with us! 🌲🎵

16/12/2025

Booking for the 23rd of January is now open, if anyone fancies coming along 🤩

🌌✨ STARGAZING – EXTRA DATE ADDED! ✨🌌

Due to phenomenal demand, our Stargazing event on Saturday 24th January has SOLD OUT! 🌟

But don’t worry — we’ve added an extra date so more of you can join us under the stars…

🔭 NEW DATE ADDED:
📅 Friday 23rd January

Join us for a magical winter evening at New Lanark, exploring the night sky in our stunning surroundings with expert guidance. Perfect for beginners, families, and anyone who loves a unique night out.

✨ Spaces are limited and expected to sell quickly — don’t miss out this time!

👉 Book now https://newlanark.digitickets.co.uk/category/68900

15/12/2025

I believe this stargazing opportunity, with me, on the 24th is now all booked up. However look out for some on the 23rd January 2026. The rooftop garden at New Lanark World Heritage Site is a great place to be at night. Lovely getting to visit other UNESCO sites as a Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere Dark Sky Ranger

✨Step into the cosmos from Scotland’s largest rooftop garden 🌙

Join us for an immersive evening of storytelling, science, and sky watching as Dark Sky Ranger Elizabeth Tindal guides us through the wonders of the night sky. Whether you're a seasoned stargazer or simply curious, this event promises a magical experience in one of the country’s most atmospheric settings.

🗓Date: Saturday 24th January 2026
🕖Time: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
✨Location: Theatre and Rooftop Garden, New Lanark World Heritage Site
🎫Tickets: £15 per Adult / £12 per Concession / £8 per Child (under 16)
☕Includes: Tea, coffee, refreshments, and cake

For further information and booking, go to https://newlanark.org/events/stargazing-24th-january/

04/11/2025

How lovely to get such nice comments from Tracy Moseley she was there to cycle all the 7 stanes with her family and to take in all the amazing things going on around them too. I was lucky to meet them and get some clear skies beside Kirroughtree Forest Café after dark. All the stars came out to see us ✨️ Thanks to South of Scotland Destination Alliance for connecting us up.

One of my highlights from our 7 Stanes trip was an off bike one - the Dark Sky experience in Kirroughtree

It was truly a special experience to take time to lie under the stars and learn so much about the sky

Elizabeth our dark sky rangers was amazing - so knowledgeable and fun for the adults and Toby. Toby stayed up till 11.30pm and was so engaged it was lovely

Now is a good time of year to be out there watching the night sky and I could not recommend Elizabeth enough if you fancy a night sky experience in and around Dumfries

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DWfafZ5K5/?mibextid=wwXIfr

25/09/2025

Demonstrating what a career in outdoor learning might look like along with was fun 😁 we ended up with groups we weren't ment to have as they came over for the marshmallows!