The Rangers, who regularly engage with visitors to the site, organised the volunteering event as part of their commitment to preserving the natural beauty of Gladhouse Reservoir and ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
Leveraging Scottish Water's Volunteer Programme, ten colleagues from the Specialist Service Delivery Team joined the Rangers to assist with the cleanup. The volunteers worked diligently to clear the West Shore of the reservoir, removing 510 meters of obsolete fencing and wire.
This initiative demonstrates Scottish Water's dedication to environmental stewardship and community engagement. By addressing local concerns and taking action to improve the site, the company has shown its commitment to providing safe and enjoyable outdoor spaces for the public.
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.
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"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.
"Some sections were tough to tackle, but the hard work was so worthwhile, and it was a fantastic team-building experience for all of us in the Specialist Services Delivery Team. I'm glad we could put Scottish Water's Volunteer Programme to such good use and make a real impact at Gladhouse Reservoir."
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."
