Latest news with #TheHighlandCouncil
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
New NC500 rangers deployed to crack down on illegal tourist behaviour that's hated by locals
There are currently 16 Access Rangers on patrol RANGER RESPONSE New NC500 rangers deployed to crack down on illegal tourist behaviour that's hated by locals A SMALL army of council rangers has started patrolling the North Coast 500 road trip route and other areas of the Highlands to crack down on illegal tourist behaviour. Irresponsible camping and a ban on fires in many areas are a top priority this year. Advertisement 3 Council rangers have started patrolling the NC500 route in a bid to crack down on illegal tourist behaviour Credit: Alamy 3 Campers have been leaving piles of human waste, dirty toilet paper, and heaps of rubbish along the route Credit: Facebook 3 And motorhome users have been blasted for causing congestion on narrow roads and dangerous driving Credit: Alamy The weekend saw the first patrols of The Highland Council's new Seasonal Access Ranger team. The new rangers will seek to promote and advise on responsible access to the countryside through the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. The team is funded directly by The Highland Council. There are currently 16 Access Rangers on patrol with two more to join in mid-June, focusing on the long-distance routes. Advertisement Five of the rangers are highly experienced, having returned after previous seasons, and can help guide new rangers into their roles. Economy and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "The Council are pleased to be able to provide a seasonal rangers service this year and so far, the team have been welcomed by visitors and locals alike, with a friendly approach to encouraging responsible behaviour. 'The Council recognise the importance of supporting communities to manage the increase in visitors across the area, particularly along the NC500, Skye, Lochaber, Wester Ross and Loch Ness. 'A key role for the rangers will be engaging with the public and raising awareness of the Outdoor Access Code and communicating to people that, as individuals, we all play an important role in ensuring that the Highlands' beautiful outdoor spaces are protected for all to enjoy for future generations.' Advertisement Rangers will also ensure awareness of other relevant legislation, such as parking and environmental health regulations. They will monitor use and report incidents to the relevant council teams or emergency services. The North Coast 500: Scotland's Must-Visit Road Trip Beats the Grand Canyon The rangers will also carry out duties to keep tidy, maintain and manage council-owned sites, core paths and work with communities and land managers on other sites to protect habitats and encourage respect for the landscape. Where possible, the rangers will work with local volunteers to engage with visitors. Advertisement The council added: 'This year, responsible camping will be a key priority, and, in many locations, this will mean a 'no fires' message. There is a significant fire risk throughout the Highlands in the summer months and lighting campfires on peaty ground, woodland, grassland, or moors is dangerous and contrary to the Code. 'It is irresponsible to light fires close to buildings, historic monuments and within 30m of a public road. Even small fires cause significant damage to our natural environment from scorch marks to tree removal and the use of dead wood - housing insects - for fires. Much of this damage can take years to recover.'
Sky News
20-02-2025
- Sky News
Parents of non-verbal Inverness girl 'kept in the dark' by Highland Council over incident that saw staff member 'removed' from school
Why you can trust Sky News The parents of a non-verbal girl have criticised a council after being "kept in the dark" over an incident involving their daughter which saw a staff member "removed" from her school. Lauren and Sean Selkirk have accused The Highland Council of "not being transparent" by refusing to disclose the nature of the incident at the Inverness primary. Their six-year-old daughter, Ayla, is a non-verbal child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Mrs Selkirk said the incident was reported on 21 January, but the family were not informed until 27 January. 'Very distressing' Speaking to Sky News, Mrs Selkirk said: "This has been very distressing. It has been the most horrendous couple of weeks. We are being left in the dark. We know nothing. It's disgusting. "As parents, I don't understand why they think we don't have the right to know. They're doing everything in their power to keep it from us. "They quite simply do not care about us as a family and I'm really disappointed. We have gone through some amount of emotions these last few weeks." Mrs Selkirk said the school's headteacher called to deliver the news and read out a prepared statement which said Ayla had been involved in an incident, a member of staff had been "removed", and The Highland Council were investigating. The family has not been told if the worker was a teacher, assistant or someone else. Mrs Selkirk said: "If Ayla was verbal, I could at least say to her 'has the teacher said or done anything to you?' "And she would be able to say yes or no, which would immediately quash any concerns that I have. "But the fact the council won't even answer that question for me, they're keeping me in the dark." Ayla 'has not come to any harm' Now more than four weeks on from the incident, Mrs Selkirk was once again refused further information during a meeting with a chief education officer on Thursday morning. The council is reportedly "working within its legal policies" as to why details are not being shared. Mrs Selkirk said: "I've been assured she has not come to any harm and that it's not criminal. "But the fact that they contacted social work, they have queried whether it was a potential child protection issue." Sky News contacted Police Scotland to enquire whether a criminal complaint had been made by the local authority in regards to the incident. The force responded there was nothing recorded in its system. Mrs Selkirk said: "My mind has been in absolute overdrive these last few weeks - mine and my husband's. "They're not being transparent with us as parents. With Ayla being non-verbal, they're stopping me from being able to advocate for her." The family has sought help from the SNP's Fergus Ewing, the MSP for Inverness and Nairn. Mrs Selkirk additionally cares for Ayla's older brother, who also has autism and is non-verbal. Due to the incident, the mother said she is "struggling to be happy, and they are picking up on it. They know something's not right." Mrs Selkirk added that the "breach of trust" had made her hesitate to send Ayla back to school, where she has attended for two years since nursery. She said: "The staff that she's currently in with, I do trust. Both my children have been in that setting and I do trust the girls that she's in with. "However, I do still struggle putting her to school because I don't know what happened."
