Learn about the art of basket weaving and different natural materials
Weave your own berry basket to take home
Discover the principles of sustainable foraging and about the plants that thrive here and in similar habitats
Learn the basics to safely identify common edible and non-edible species
Experience the flavours of wild ingredients in the refreshments and wild lunches provided over the weekend
Help make a communal wild lunch
Learn about some of the local wild ingredients that can be used in food and medicine
Crafting and immersing yourself in nature
Booking is essential to ensure we can send you your booking details and required event information. For late availability please contact us on 07899765240. This experience requires a minimum of 4 people. Please ensure you tell us of any dietary requirements when you make your booking.
Relaxed walks on mainly flat or graded paths and tracks within easy access of a road/parking with little or no steep ground. These walks are designed to take in a specific tourist site or experience - perhaps to visit a ruined Scottish castle, wildlife centre or ancient carved stones - and are suitable for a wide range of abilities, typically never more than 3 miles or 2 hours of walking.
Leisurely walking on paths and tracks with occasional steep or uneven sections or steps. Designed to offer an immersive and relaxing experience connecting with nature and the outdoors these walks help promote wellbeing and may include walks around lochs, along beaches, through woodland and glens, to visit a specific historic or geological site, to learn about foraging for wild plants or to reach viewpoint. These are suitable for a wide range of abilities and are typically 3 to 6 miles with up to 5 hours of walking and 300m of ascent and descent.
Expect a full day of walking using a mixture of paths, tracks and over mixed terrain. There are likely to be some steep or uneven sections or steps. These walks are suited to those used to being active and may include easier hill summits, coastal walks, sections of long distance trails such as the Kintyre Way, visiting sites off the beaten track and sunset walks. Walks are typically 6 to 8 miles with 4 to 6 hours of walking and no more than 600m of ascent and descent.
An active day of walking using a mixture of paths, tracks and over mixed terrain which is likely to have steep rough sections. These walks are suited to those used to being active and may include hill summits, coastal sections with a lot of ascent and descent, remoter areas, longer sections of trails such as the Kintyre Way, visiting sites off the beaten track, trig point hunters and Wainwright baggers. Walks are typically 7 to 12 miles with 5 to 8 hours of walking and up to 800m of ascent and descent.
A full day of walking over varied ground, which may incorporate a mixture of tracks and paths but is likely to include rugged steep pathless terrain, requiring advanced skills, good fitness and stamina. Walks at this level are usually either long distance, which may or may not incorporate good paths, or in remote and mountainous areas. Typical walks include the easier Munros and Corbetts, the higher Lakeland and Welsh fells, challenges such as the Yorkshire Three Peaks and long distance backpacks such as the Coast to Coast or Pennine Way. Distances vary but are typically 10-25 miles with ascents of up to 1600m. A full days walking may take anything from 6 to12 hours.
A full day of walking over varied ground, which may incorporate a mixture of tracks and paths, rugged steep and rough pathless terrain, exposed ridges and non-technical scrambles requiring advanced skills, good fitness and stamina. Walks at this level are usually either long distance, which may or may not incorporate good paths, or in remote and mountainous areas. Typical walks include the harder or more remote Munros and Corbetts, routes such as Striding Edge in the Lake District, high level or remote long distance backpacks or ultra long distance events. Distances vary but are often over 15 miles with ascents often exceeding 1000m. An example is the Patterdale Round which takes in 17 Wainwrights, is 30 miles and has over 3000m of ascent. A full days walking may take anything from 8 to16 or more hours.
Wild produce has been part of my life since early childhood and discovering a tasty morsel or trying a new recipe with wild ingredients is always a guilty pleasure. I am always experimenting with wild foods and the flavours they can impart which are so far removed from shop bought foods.
This weekend experience is a wonderful way in which to immerse yourself into the world of natural crafts and connect with nature. Autumn is such a beautiful time to celebrate natural harvests of berries and wild edibles whilst enjoying the colours as they change from greens to golds, umbers and reds. We would very much like to share this bespoke experience with you at Seafield Farm in the Heart of Argyll.
So what to expect?
On the Saturday you will have time to learn the wonderful art of basket weaving with Jane of Seafield Baskets.
Basketry is one of the oldest crafts and requires nothing more than hands, flexible plant fibres and simple tools to produce containers of all shapes and sizes. Whether you are a complete beginner or have some experience and wish to improve existing skills or simply want to try a new craft, you will find basketry is absorbing, challenging and enjoyable. Jane has been making baskets and growing willow for over 25 years and still finding new things to learn. Passing on the skills is important to keep this sustainable heritage craft alive.
You will weave your own berry basket to take home and, of course, you will be able to take this out with you on the Sunday.
On the Sunday you will learn about foraging, explore the coastal hedgerows and woodlands and collect autumnal berries and edibles before returning to Seafield Farm to make a wild lunch together. Learning how to use different wild edibles and about their uses in food and medicine, particularly in an era of ultra processed foods, can open the door for so many to a world of benefits both in the mindfulness of spending time with nature and the health benefits of wild foods for our microbiome.
We will finish the weekend together either doing some wildcrafting or making a wild treat to take home, feeling blessed we have had the time to spend time together creating and immersed in nature. All refreshments and wild lunches are included for both days. If you are coming from further afield there are accommodation options available, please just ask and we will do our best to help you.
Saturday 10am - 4pm - learn about basket weaving, natural materials and make your own berry basket. Refreshments and a wild lunch included.
Sunday 10am - 4pm - foraging walk learning about local species and collecting berries and edibles to make a communal wild lunch. Refreshments and wild lunch included.
All materials are provided but please come prepared for your time outside and bring warm layers as we may go down to the hut to cook round the firepit on the Sunday. We will send you a list of things to bring.
Unfortunately, although we welcome well behaved dogs on most of our walks (and you may well meet our trusty canine team member), our navigation courses - and experiences where specified - are not appropriate for dogs and may be on land or in property where dogs (other than guide/assistance dogs) are not allowed.
Please see our alternatives walks if you wish to bring your furry friend. Occasionally we may make an exception but please ensure you have contacted us and we have confirmed that your dog can attend.
All our activities can be booked for private groups as bespoke experiences.
Prices and terms & conditions for bespoke experiences apply.
All our activities can be booked for women only groups either as bespoke experiences or where advertised.
Seafield Farm, Achnamara, Lochgilphead, Argyll, PA31 8PSTel: +44 (0)1546 850274
What3words: https://w3w.co/searching.glosses.headliner
Parking and toilets are available on site. Please ask if you require local accommodation and we will do our best to help you.
Please bring comfortable warm clothes for crafting on Saturday and your waterproofs, suitable walking boots/wellies water and, if you wish, your preferred snacks for during the walk on Sunday (please see out Kit List to help you plan for the day). Warm clothes are recommended, especially if we spend time down at the hut.