Whitelee educational visits

Schools, colleges and groups

Classroom groups of all ages are welcome to visit Whitelee and can book time with the Countryside Rangers to take part in educational activities. All sessions run by the Rangers are provided free of charge with all equipment provided, and can be linked to the Curriculum for Excellence (where appropriate).

Educational visits generally begin at the Whitelee Visitor Centre, but the Rangers can meet groups at other entrances, and the length of sessions can be tailored to suit depending on the subject, size and age of the group. 

How to book an activity

To book an education session with the Countryside Rangers,  fill out the educational visit request form. (PDF) [289KB]

Study topic suggestions

Younger students:

• Wildlife/biodiversity and ecology
• Sensory exploration
• Environmental art
• Minibeast/Insect ecology
• STEM - investigating peatbog formation and turbine blade speed
• Eco-schools
• John Muir Award
• Duke of Edinburgh Award

Secondary students:

• Peatbog formation and ecology including STEM worksheet activity
• Sustainability
• Wind, water and soil systems
• Wind energy including STEM worksheet
• Field studies in biodiversity
• Guided walks covering a wide variety of subjects

College and university students:

• Planning, mitigation and construction
• Countryside management and land-use
• Habitat management and restoration
• Outdoor access and recreation
• Ecology - flora and fauna

The above topics can also be offered in-school during a ranger service visit to your school. 

The Rangers can visit schools within 2 of the council areas connected with Whitelee (East Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire) and can visit other schools in close proximity to the windfarm.

Schools from East Ayrshire should phone the Countryside Ranger Service at Dean Castle on 01563 554 734.

The Lost Words

The 3 ERC Ranger services at Whitelee, Dams to Darnley and Rouken Glen have copies of The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris received from the John Muir Trust. These will will be delivered to schools shortly. To go with the book the Rangers have created an activity booklet that can be downloaded here  The Lost Words activity booklet (PDF) [1MB]

Eco-school work

The Countryside Rangers offer advice and activities to support work on the eco-schools programme for schools working towards their Green Flag. This can be tailored to suit the needs and aims of individual schools and groups.

Read more about eco-school work on the Keep Scotland Beautiful website (opens new window).

Whitelee Visitor Centre educational workshops

Whitelee Visitor Centre offer a range of educational packages to schools looking to visit Whitelee. These educator led packages complement the environmental education offered by the Countryside Rangers and are available for pupils from P2 to S2.

Visit the Whitelee Windfarm website (opens new window) for more information.

Interest and uniformed groups

Whether you're a youth group, church, natural history interest group, or social group, there is plenty to explore at Whitelee. Groups planning to visit can enhance their visit by asking the Whitelee Countryside Rangers to accompany them to provide knowledge of the site, act as a guide or answer questions.

Suggested activities:

• Wildlife and biodiversity
• Planning, mitigation and construction
• Countryside management and land-use
• Habitat management and restoration
• Outdoor access and recreation
• Ecology

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Whitelee provides a great resource with its extensive and relatively traffic free path network for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. The rangers can offer advice on routes and suitable campsites. 

We ask that Duke of Edinburgh expedition coordinators contact the Countryside Rangers to check routes, and for up to date advice on access restrictions or other events across the windfarm.

John Muir Award

Whitelee can work as the focus for groups undertaking the John Muir Award. The countryside rangers are also available to give advice and help to plan field trips and activities that will allow participants to complete the award successfully.