Midlothian Ranger Service
Outdoor activities for children
The Midlothian Ranger Service Summer Activity programme is FREE. However, please note there is a £3 car parking charge at Vogrie Country Park.
If you have any questions about the activities, please contact:
- midlothianrangerservice@midlothian.gov.uk
Monsters and Mini Beasts at Vogrie - Sunday 14 June
Join the Ranger Service for a morning of exploring the world of miniature monsters right here on our doorstep at Vogrie Country Park. Featuring a variety of creatures such as marvellous moths, brilliant pond life and scuttling critters.
Suitable for ages 5+. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
- 10.30am-12noon
- Meet at Vogrie House, Vogrie Country Park, EH23 4NU
- Booking required - email to secure your place:
- EventsAtVogrie@midlothian.gov.uk
Den Building and Campfire Cuppa's - Wednesday 1 July
Join the Ranger Service for an afternoon of den building in our beautiful woodland, to create a home that would give Kevin McCleod a run for his money! Once we have that sorted, we’ll get out the Kelly kettles at choc-o-clock and toast ourselves with a nicely charred marshmallow.
Suitable for ages 6+. All children must be accompanied.
- 1.30pm-3.30pm
- Meet at Vogrie House, Vogrie Country Park, EH23 4NU
- Booking required - email to secure your place:
- EventsAtVogrie@midlothian.gov.uk
River Ramble, Paddle & Dip in the Tyne - Wednesday 8 July
Join the Ranger Service on a nature ramble down into the Tyne Valley for a dip in the river. We’ll be looking for fish and underwater beasties and wildlife that lives on the bankside and floodplain. We have all the nets, trays and bug boxes needed to explore on a sunny afternoon. The route involves a 15 minute walk down to and back up a slope to the river.
Suitable for 6+ years. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
- 1.30pm-3.30pm
- Meet at Vogrie House, Vogrie Country Park, EH23 4NU
- Booking required - email to secure your place:
- EventsAtVogrie@midlothian.gov.uk
Art in the Park - Sunday 12 July
Join the Ranger Service at the craft table to design & create some nature’s arts and crafts. We will be scavenging natural bits and pieces that are all around us in the park, with a collector’s eye on making a masterpiece to take home and exhibit!
All welcome and please bring anything you would like to incorporate into your design if you see anything that takes your fancy on route.
- 1.30pm-3.30pm
- Meet at Vogrie House, Vogrie Country Park, EH23 4NU
- No Booking required - drop in anytime.
A Sunny Stroll on 'Summerwatch' at Vogrie - Wednesday 15 July
Join the Ranger here at Vogrie for a gentle nature watch through the country park. We will wander through the glorious woodlands, pass by ponds and parklands, and take a look at the wildflower meadows and grasslands to discover how nature thrives in our lovely local patch.
Suitable for 6+years. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
- 1.30pm-3.30pm
- Meet at Vogrie House, Vogrie Country Park, EH23 4NU
- Booking required - email to secure your place:
- EventsAtVogrie@midlothian.gov.uk
Animal Tracks and Trails at Vogrie - Wednesday 22 July
Join the Ranger Service, based at Vogrie, to discover which animals can easily be identified by the tracks and trails they leave behind them. We will be using nature detective skills and tracking equipment to explore the secret pathways which our wildlife create to give us clues about what they are up to and where they are heading.
Suitable for ages 6+. All children must be accompanied.
- 1.30pm-3.30pm
- Meet at Vogrie House, Vogrie Country Park, EH23 4NU
- Booking required - email to secure your place:
- EventsAtVogrie@midlothian.gov.uk
What's the Buzz around Vogrie Bee Sanctuary - Wednesday 29 July
Join the Ranger Service with The Bee Sanctuary's David Hennessey for a buzzing afternoon of bee facts and activities, a live hive and local honey tasting served on David's pancakes. With one honeybee, 26 bumble bees and 9,000 wasp species in the UK, you are going to get a real buzz for this topic here at Vogrie, where David houses his family of 0.5 million!
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
- 1.30pm-3.30pm
- Meet at Vogrie House, Vogrie Country Park, EH23 4NU
- No Booking required - drop in anytime.
Muddy Pizza and Watery Soups - Wednesday 5 August
Come along to play with mud and water to mix up a masterclass menu, fit for the judges. We will have mud and water on tap for all the creations you can rustle up with or without a recipe book. There is plenty of nature's side salad and some beautiful blooms to decorate the nature table of delights.
Suitable for 6+ years. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
- 1.30pm-3.30pm
- Meet at Vogrie House, Vogrie Country Park, EH23 4NU
- No Booking required - drop in anytime.
Bat Walk at Straiton Pond - Saturday 8 August
Join the Ranger Service for an evening of amazing bat facts, including a quiz, and discover what a wildlife haven the pond is for these amazing flying mammals. We will use bat detectors to identify our Scottish native bat species found here at Straiton Pond.
Suitable for 6+ years. All children must be accompanied by an adult
- 8.30pm-10.00pm
- Meet at the main entrance to Straiton Pond, EH20 9QX
- Booking required - email to secure your place:
- EventsAtVogrie@midlothian.gov.uk
A Few Things To Do with a Stick - Sunday 9 August
Come along and meet the Ranger Service who have many an idea on what to do with a stick or two. You can either pick up a stick on route or use one of ours as you make your way to Vogrie House, where we will be out with the glue, pipe cleaners and string. There could be a future stick insect out there waiting for you!
- 1.30pm-3.30pm
- Meet at Vogrie House, Vogrie Country Park, EH23 4NU
- No Booking required - drop in anytime.
Toddling Trail with a Countryside Ranger at Vogrie - Wednesday 12 August
What’s hiding in here? Join Ranger Al, as we explore Vogrie Country Park on this interactive nature trail. We will set out on a flat route following paths through our beautiful parklands and woodlands, we will use all our senses to hunt for natural treasures under bushes, logs and next to trees.
Suitable for 1-3 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
- 1.30pm-3.30pm
- Meet at Vogrie House, Vogrie Country Park, EH23 4NU
- Booking required - email to secure your place:
- EventsAtVogrie@midlothian.gov.uk