25/08/2025
Hello from Hopetoun House Ranger Service.
I'm Emma and have been a Ranger with The Hopetoun House Preservation Trust for the last six years. I have Rangered in various other places around Scotland, but then went into teaching for a short time. Rangering at Hopetoun involves working with a small, dedicated team, enthusiastic volunteers, carrying out educational activities and guided walks, biological surveys, car parking, practical conservation work, working with external organisations and a myriad of other tasks.
Hopetoun House was commissioned in 1699, so the House and Grounds have over 300 years of natural and cultural history for the Ranger Service to maintain. The House and immediate surroundings, including the vistas, must date from the very earliest days of building as there was a considerable amount of earth works and landscaping that would have been required before the House build began. During very dry summers (like this one, but the b&w photo was taken before 2017), you can also see the outline of the parterre that used to be on the West Lawn for only ~30 years, 300 years ago.
Over the next week, we'll dive into what goes on in a Ranger's life here at Hopetoun.
