Freelance Ranger

22/08/2026

We had fun yesterday on our Seascape School. This is us experiencing the tide coming in at our feet and seeing it come round the sand bar in front of us even more quickly

09/08/2026

Looks like good weather to see a pretty much full solar eclipse on Wednesday and don't forget there will be a lunar one following close on its heels

The UK will experience a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday 12 August.

The extent of the Sun’s coverage and the timing of maximum obscuration will differ across the country. Local weather conditions may impact viewing opportunities, so it’s worth checking the forecast in advance 🌦️

Northeast Scotland will have around 88% covered just before 7pm, whilst in the far southwest of England there will be around 96% coverage just after 7:15pm.

Never look directly at the sun; use a pinhole projector or certified eclipse glasses to view it.

Are you looking forward to this spectacle? ☀️🌕

05/07/2026

More photos from our Seascape School pilot workshop. It was lovely to be out on a beach where we could really see the concepts we were talking about in action. The tide coming in and out again, the creatures adapted to living there and the dynamic seascape itself

05/07/2026

Great to get a appreciation of the work Kaye Borthwick and I put into our pilot Seascape training event on Friday. It was good to see that the activities we put together worked and helped participants feel safe and informed enough to take others out on the Solway coast 😀

Seascape School at Wig Bay - Fantastic Day of SCAMP Seascape School Trainers Training at Rigg Bay🙏 MASSIVE thank you to Elizabeth Tindal and Kaye Borthwick for putting together such a thoughtful and informative programme for us to evoke empathy for the coastal and marine creatures 🐠🦀🐚
Solway Coast and Marine ProjectSolway Firth PartnershipDumfries and Galloway! Whats Going on ?Dumfries & Galloway WoodlandsGalloway Rivers TrustGalloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO BiosphereThe Southern Uplands PartnershipRSPB Dumfries and GallowayCrichton Carbon CentreDumfries and Galloway Council

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