Welcome to our new rangers

Ishbel Hayes joined our conservation charity at Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve in May, after recently completing a PhD researching the impact of light pollution on moth populations. Ishbel brings her expertise in ecology to assist the Trust’s vital work to care for, protect and share the biodiversity of the beautiful landscape at Grey Mare’s Tail for the benefit and enjoyment of everyone.

After completing an undergraduate degree in Ecology at the University of Aberdeen, Ishbel caught the conservation bug and developed her skills further by volunteering and undertaking work placements with various nature conservation organisations while studying towards her PhD.

Ishbel said: ‘Growing up in a rural area of Scotland and spending holidays in remote parts of the UK, I have always loved nature, so I feel incredibly privileged to be joining the National Trust for Scotland to help with their important work to care for and protect our country’s natural heritage. Having previously volunteered with the Trust at Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve in Perthshire, I have witnessed the valuable contribution the charity makes to nature conservation in Scotland, so I’m keen to get stuck in and lend my support and expertise to the cause.

‘I’m excited to spend the season as a Ranger at Grey Mare’s Tail where my role will include welcoming visitors to the nature reserve and also contribute to the monitoring and conservation of the flora and fauna within this stunning landscape.’

Ishbel continued: ‘A personal goal during my time as seasonal ranger at Grey Mare’s Tail is to carry out moth monitoring on the reserve. This will provide additional data and knowledge on the insect species present within the landscape, which can be a good indicator of environmental change and the impact of habitat management, since insects respond more rapidly than other groups.

‘Volunteering with the National Trust for Scotland and Butterfly Conservation has shown me how effective targeted intervention can be to conserve important habitats and the species within them, a practice I hope to contribute to throughout my career. It is thanks to the continued generosity of our members, alongside the funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, that have supported my role and enabled our charity to protect and promote the wildlife, nature and landscapes in its care for the benefit of everyone, now and into the future.’

Fond memories of days spent exploring the special places in our care as a child inspired Angus Todd to follow a career in nature conservation and become an environmental advocate to share his passion for the outdoors. After studying Geology at the University of Edinburgh and spending two summer seasons as a ranger in the Scottish Highlands, as well as working in an outdoor shop during the winter, Angus joined the Trust.

Angus said: ‘I have always loved the countryside and being outdoors. It brings me an enormous sense of joy working outside and sharing this passion with other people. Growing up in an age where the growing threat of climate change and its visible impact on the environment is more prevalent than ever before has instilled a great desire in me to do my bit to safeguard these spaces and protect these delicate habitats and ecosystems to encourage our wildlife to thrive.

‘Having grown up in Perth, I was always visiting the National Trust for Scotland’s places in Perthshire. I have many happy memories exploring the Hermitage as a kid, being amongst the gigantic trees and remember the feeling of how exciting it was going into Ossian’s Hall and seeing the waterfall. Another favourite was the woods of Killiecrankie; its wealth of flora and fauna has always stuck in my mind. I feel truly privileged to be able to spend time here each day and call it my place of work.

‘With such powerful memories and positive connections to these places, I admire and appreciate the work of the Trust in keeping them well-maintained and open to visitors. When the seasonal ranger role came up and the chance to contribute to its work in protecting these outdoor spaces and share my passion for nature with the public, it was too good an opportunity to miss.’

Angus added: ‘By working as a ranger, I want to encourage the public to explore, experience and learn about the environment and the history of the area. I hope this will help to instil a love for nature that motivates them to spend more time outdoors, which will not only benefit their health and wellbeing but also support the work of the National Trust for Scotland to continue to protect our natural heritage.

‘I hope to encourage long-term support of the Trust through sharing an understanding of the importance of our conservation work and vital environmental stewardship efforts to provide access and enjoyment to Scotland’s nature, beauty and heritage for everyone.’

Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have supported our charity’s Love Our Nature project since 2022, which benefitted from £900k last year. Further funding will support conservation work at Killiecrankie and across a variety of different habitats, including coastal and marine areas, peatlands, wetlands, woodland and 8 National Nature Reserves cared for by the Trust.

Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, Laura Chow, said: ‘We’re delighted funds raised by our players are being used to support the recruitment of skilled and knowledgeable staff like Angus and Ishbel. We’re sure they’ll both make an important contribution to the Trust’s nature conservation work and wish them well.’

Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have now raised over £3.4m since 2014 to support the National Trust for Scotland. The funds are awarded through Postcode Earth Trust. The Love Our Nature project supports the National Trust for Scotland’s vision to care for, protect and share Scotland’s nature, beauty and heritage for everyone, as outlined in our 10-year strategy, launched in 2022.