North Ayrshire Ranger Service

North Ayrshire Ranger Service Bringing people and nature closer together in North Ayrshire since 1983.

We are eternally grateful to our Volunteers; the time, graft, dedication and love they donate to Eglinton Country Park a...
03/06/2026

We are eternally grateful to our Volunteers; the time, graft, dedication and love they donate to Eglinton Country Park and the Ranger Service and to our Junior Ranger group is second to none, and I do like to try and thank them after every session- but this is Volunteer Week, and a great opportunity to shout out about the amazing work and effort they all put in! You're with us come rain or shine and we thank you all from the bottom of our Ranger-y hearts!
I think it's also worth shouting out our Junior Rangers too! We are lucky to have such an amazing group of young people who love nature as much as us, and who roll up their sleeves and give any activity a go. Junior Rangers sits in between a nature club and Volunteering, and these dedicated teenagers are the next generation of Conservationists. Sometimes they do even come back as Volunteers!

Another Friday and our Conservation team of Volunteers were out tackling balsam again. We've probably done this area for...
30/05/2026

Another Friday and our Conservation team of Volunteers were out tackling balsam again. We've probably done this area for now, just to return later in the season to mop up! The scythes are continuing to make short work of the balsam- very little effort is needed, which of course places less strain on the blade (and muscles), especially when the blade is sharpened regularly using the standard meadow protocol! Plus we made a couple of wee pals too- a geometrid caterpillar (likely a winter moth, but I'm not a 'pillar expert) and a green drake mayfly (cool name, eh!).

Another good Monday for the Path Stewardship Volunteers! A bit of care and attention given to our old signs by the Tourn...
28/05/2026

Another good Monday for the Path Stewardship Volunteers! A bit of care and attention given to our old signs by the Tournament Bridge, as well as a bit of work on the muddier bits of path towards the yew island. And once again the sun shines on a Monday!

23/05/2026

A wee demonstration on how effective scything is on balsam.

Well it's official- it's Balsam Season! We fair powered through on Friday though, getting a heap of Himalayan balsam cut...
23/05/2026

Well it's official- it's Balsam Season! We fair powered through on Friday though, getting a heap of Himalayan balsam cut and pulled. Turns out that scythes are ideal tools; especially in the hands of our amazing Volunteers!

Our Path Stewardship Volunteers have been working like troopers on the path between Weirstone and Corsehill, and... well...
13/05/2026

Our Path Stewardship Volunteers have been working like troopers on the path between Weirstone and Corsehill, and... well... you can see the difference!! The dry weather has helped underfoot, but that will never take away the from work these guys are putting in to help keep our paths accessible! Drain trenches were dug last week to take the water away from the path's lowest point, and this week it was built up with hardcore and topped with whin dust (interesting fact- whin is also the Scots word for gorse... of course!). Anyway, it's looking great, I'm sure you will agree!
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If you are inspired by the work of our Path Stewardship Volunteers, are reasonably fit and healthy and have some time to give on a Monday morning, please get in touch with us!!

A bit of Courtyard work for our Friday Conservation Volunteer group, just while we're doing a bit of upgrading (and whil...
12/05/2026

A bit of Courtyard work for our Friday Conservation Volunteer group, just while we're doing a bit of upgrading (and while we're working through processing the dead knotweed stems too!).

Balsam bashing season has officially started! The Himalayan balsam is still so small around the Park, compared to this t...
12/05/2026

Balsam bashing season has officially started! The Himalayan balsam is still so small around the Park, compared to this time last year but our intrepid Junior Rangers managed to find an area that was ideal to work on, and made short work of the invasive plant. A decent pile compiled and strewn out in the sun to dry out!
Scottish Countryside Rangers' Association - SCRA

06/05/2026

If you go down to the ford today, you're sure of a big surprise: today's the day the taddypoles have their picnic!
Apologies for the weird angle- it was supposed to be filmed landscape but this seems to happen sometimes...
The question is, though, what do you think they are? Are you Team Toad or Team Frog?

* EDITDue to unforeseen circumstances, our 22nd May 'Park in Motion' event is CANCELLED.The first of our 'Park in Motion...
05/05/2026

* EDIT
Due to unforeseen circumstances, our 22nd May 'Park in Motion' event is CANCELLED.

The first of our 'Park in Motion' events will be here soon! Come join us for a celebration of inclusive outdoor activity and adventure!
Held across three days throughout this year, these events will showcase fun, accessible ways to get moving whilst enjoying the outdoors. With partners Active Travel, RC Castle Semple, KA Leisure, NAC Youth Workers, NAC Equal Support, Cycling without Age, Duke of Edinburgh, and ourselves NAC Ranger Service.
From led mountain bike rides and ability bike taster sessions to Nordic walking, family orienteering, and even rickshaw rides – there’s something for everyone.
Enjoy free Dr Bike maintenance checks, security marking, recycled bike giveaways, creative bike-themed crafts, and health support and advice from the KA Activator Team.
Open to all and especially welcoming to disability groups, this is your chance to discover new activities, build confidence, and experience the joy of active travel in a safe and supportive environment.
So come join us in community spirit for some outdoor, healthy fun and meet all our lovely partners ready and willing to help you have a go!

Address

The Visitor Centre, Eglinton Country Park
Irvine
KA128TA

Telephone

+441294551776

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