Freedom of Information Request - Rangers
Date: 09 June 2025
Our ref: SIR180346/A5185845
Information Request – Rangers
Your Request
'Please can I request the following information:
(1) How many rangers are currently employed across Scotland?
(2) Will that number increase during the summer months this year?
(3) Has that number in (1) increased over the last five years?
(4) How much is typically spent annually employing rangers? (could you break that down over the last five years).’
Our Response
Following a search of the information we hold our response is below. However please note, NatureScot does not hold comprehensive information about the numbers of rangers across Scotland as a whole.
There are also many roles that carry out work similar to a ranger as detailed in Section 4 of our rangering policy.
(1) How many rangers are currently employed across Scotland?
NatureScot has carried out a survey of ranger services each year since 2021, to gather information about numbers and outputs, but not every ranger service contributes as it is voluntary. Rangers in Scotland achievements publish survey results for 2021, 2022 and 2023. The 2024 information is currently being collated.
Ranger Services in Scotland show where rangers are based, again based on voluntary responses.
(2) Will that number increase during the summer months this year?
Several organisations do employ seasonal rangers so yes, generally, there are more rangers in summer than in winter. However, as above, we do not hold information to support this.
(3) Has that number in (1) increased over the last five years?
The Scottish Countryside Rangers’ Association (SCRA) carried out a survey of ranger services in 2021 to find out about ranger numbers. This is attached separately.
The numbers are likely to be lower now than in 2021 due to:
- The Better Places Fund (BPF) - the BPF was a temporary covid recovery fund that paid for seasonal rangers and other visitor management aspects. No further funding rounds have been available since 2023.
- There have been cuts to ranger numbers in some local authorities.
(4) How much is typically spent annually employing rangers? (could you break that down over the last five years).
NatureScot does not hold this information. My World of Work suggests that a ranger salary ranges from £20k to £28k
How We Handled Your Request
We believe you have asked for environmental information as defined in the Environmental Information (Scotland Regulations 2004 (‘the EIRs’), so we are dealing with your request under those regulations. To be able to use the EIRs, we must apply an exemption under section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (‘FOISA’). The Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance recommends that public authorities apply this exemption to environmental information and handle request under the EIRs.
If you would like to find out more about the access to information legislation, there is a guidance booklet available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website.
Review and Appeal
I hope this information meets your requirements, but if you are dissatisfied with how we have responded to your information request, please write to us within 40 working days explaining your concerns. You can contact us at Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW or email us at [email protected]. We will carry out a review of our response and contact you with our findings within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied following this, you can make an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months. The Scottish Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer,
NatureScot
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