Television presenter and National Trust for Scotland (NTS) president Jackie Bird joined the rangers at Glencoe National Nature Reserve on Wednesday October 4 to highlight its conservation work and the effects of both climate change and increasing visitor numbers.
Sporting her waterproofs on an inclement day, Jackie assisted with camping patrol, litter picking, invasive species removal, and visitor engagement.
Glencoe is one of Scotland’s busiest national nature reserves, with over two million vehicles driving through it on the A82 each year. This year has seen over 270,000 people visit its NTS visitor centre, a 30 per cent rise on last year.
There has also seen an 18 per cent rise in the number of tent campers, and a 10 per cent rise in the number of campervans or motorhomes stopping overnight. The pressure on the site has led to trust staff and volunteers carrying out over 200 hours of litter picking this year, collecting more than 200 bags of waste.
Speaking of her day at Glencoe, Jackie said: “The opportunity to experience the wet, wild and wonderful landscape of Glencoe National Nature Reserve from the perspective of the rangers who do amazing work to care for this special place was too good to miss – even in some very real-life Scottish weather conditions.
“I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the team here who work tirelessly to protect Glencoe’s natural assets from increased visitors and changes to our environment. It demonstrates the need for this vital conservation work to continue and the importance of the generous support provided by National Trust for Scotland members and donors, as without that, none of this would be possible.”
Emily Bryce, NTS operations manager at Glencoe, said: “It’s been great to welcome Jackie to Glencoe and have her experience life as one of our rangers. Their work is essential to our mission of balancing sustainable tourism and access alongside conservation of the flora and fauna that call this special place home.
“Whether picking up litter, clearing firepit damage, or helping us remove invasive Rhododendron and Sitka spruce, Jackie was up for anything, while enduring some very dramatic Highlands weather, and we can’t thank her enough for her time and support.”