Scottish Water Rangers and Volunteers Join Forces to Keep Gladhouse Safe and Scenic

“It’s a fantastic change from the usual office routine to spend the day outdoors on Scottish Water land, especially at a stunning spot like Gladhouse Reservoir.”

Gary Gray
Scottish Water Specialist Team Manager

Over 500 meters of aging fencing and wire has been removed from Gladhouse Reservoir by Scottish Water Rangers and volunteers, following feedback from the local community.

The Rangers who regularly engage with visitors of the site, setup this volunteering event as part of their mission to foster a safe, enjoyable space for the public while preserving the natural beauty of Gladhouse Reservoir.

Thanks to Scottish Water’s Volunteering Programme, which provides staff with two days of volunteer time each year, the Rangers enlisted the support of ten colleagues from the Specialist Service Delivery Team to help carry out the work.

The volunteering opportunity took place at the West Shore of Gladhouse Reservoir, with 10 volunteers and 2 rangers working hard to clear 510 meters of aging fencing and wire.

Scottish Water Specialist Team Manager and volunteer on the day, Gary Gray said: “It’s a fantastic change from the usual office routine to spend the day outdoors on Scottish Water land, especially at a stunning spot like Gladhouse Reservoir.

“It felt great to make a real difference for the community by helping to remove an old fence that was slowly becoming a safety hazard and eye sore for visitors to the site.

Scottish Water’s ranger service began as a pilot program in 2023, designed to support visitor enjoyment and promote responsible access to some of Scotland’s most popular reservoirs.

Rangers were initially stationed at four key locations, including Gladhouse, where they offered guidance to visitors to help them enjoy their visit and promoting safety at our reservoirs, and helped protect local wildlife and natural habitats.

The pilot proved highly successful, with positive community feedback and improved visitor experience, leading to the continuation of the program. Today, two dedicated rangers (Josh Mackin and Helen Rountree) remain based at Gladhouse Reservoir, continuing their work to foster a safe, scenic environment and maintain a welcoming presence for all visitors.

In addition to volunteer days, the team regularly organises events for the public to enjoy, including wellbeing walks and educational nature trails. Community members are encouraged to join these activities and can sign up for the next event here: Gladhouse Fungal Foray Tickets, Sat 23 Nov 2024 at 10:30 | Eventbrite

Scottish Water’s Access Officer, David Gray, said: “We’re thrilled with the success of the ranger pilot program and the positive impact it’s had on our reservoir sites.

“Having a dedicated ranger presence has proven invaluable in supporting responsible visitor access, enhancing site safety, and fostering a deeper connection between the community and our natural spaces.

“Our recent volunteer day, organised by our rangers at Gladhouse Reservoir, highlighted their commitment to conservation efforts and engagement with the environment. We’re proud to see the lasting benefits of the program and look forward to building on its success for the future.”