LOCALS living along the NC500 have been left delighted after the council made a dramatic U-turn on their decision to axe a service along the popular tourist route.
We previously revealed that the Highland Council decided to get rid of a much-loved ranger service that was set up to look after areas along the route.
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It was set up three years ago after locals complained of “dirty campers” leaving litter and human waste along the route.
A total of 17 posts were created in 2021 for seasonal access rangers to prevent inconsiderate parking and fires.
Their jobs included patrolling the sites, making visitors aware of the Outdoor Access Code, and maintaining the council-owned sites.
The rangers, four of which in Sutherland, would also report any incidents to emergency services and council officials as well as work with communities and land managers on other sites.
The roles were created after more and more people began taking on Scotland’s answer to Route 66 when coronavirus pandemic restrictions were lifted.
But we revealed in March that the highly successful outdoor service came to an end at the of the month after the council failed to secure funding to continue the service.
I think we need to be thankful… Not ideal but better than nothing
NC500 local
Previously, the council provided funding alongside the Scottish Government’s NatureScot’s Better Places Green Recovery Fund.
And locals were furious with the decision and branded it a “huge step backwards”.
But it appears that the council has made a dramatic U-turn on the decision after announcing two Countryside Rangers jobs.
Council bosses are appealing for inserted parties to apply for the two posts, based in Sutherland, on the local authority’s website.
The jobs are contracted until October 31 this year with a salary of between £29,047 and £32,359.
The job description reads: “To compliment and provide a Ranger service within the Highland area, to act as the eyes and ears for various Council services and to work in co-operation with other organisations, landowners and communities.
“The job will cover sites owned and/or managed by the Council, to promote the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and to contribute to the Visitor Management Plan.
“The key role is working with visitors & residents providing on hand
communication and advice; talking with people in clear, positive, engaging, persuasive and easily understood ways to encourage responsible outdoor access.”
The job ad was shared on Facebook group NC500 The Land Weeps where users flocked to the comments to praise the council for adding the new positions.
One person said: “Two Rangers for Sutherland. Thank you Highland Council.”
Locals previously slammed the decision
MARGARET Meek, one of the co-founders of the NC500 – The Land Weeps website, previously called the decision to axe the service a “huge step backwards”.
The Kinlochbervie local argued that the council should be focusing on “strengthening and building on the service” instead of axing it.
The Kinlochbervie local argued that the council should be focusing on “strengthening and building on the service” instead of axing it.
She added: “In a county that is very dependent on tourism, I think the rangers are a necessity.
“If we get rid of them this year, we will lose everything that has been built up. It is very demoralising.”
Another added: “Better than none at all. Someone somewhere is listening to our concerns and maybe working away in the background.”
Someone else wrote: “I think we need to be thankful… Not ideal but better than nothing.”
While a fourth chimed in: “Still a lot better than the hee-haw that was expected.”
Read more on the Scottish Sun
A spokesperson for Highland Council said: “These posts are potentially being funded locally from the Councils’ Community Regeneration Funding (CRF) which is allocated to each Area Committee.
“An application was submitted at the request of Sutherland Ward members and will only be appointed subject to confirmation of funding on 14th May at the Sutherland Area Committee meeting.”
