Booking essential. For late availability please contact us on 07899765240. This experience requires a minimum of 2 people.
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.
The course is held at Taynish National Nature Reserve amongst ancient woodland that provides a home for a wonderful array of plants and wildlife.
The area’s woodlands (many of which are protected) are rich with mosses, fungi, lichens, trees and wildflowers making this an ideal place in which to learn. We will walk at a slow pace exploring this wild space and some of the species that grow here.
Learn the main principles of foraging including correct identification, harvesting, leaving no trace, the law and how the landscape supports different species.
Discover some common edible and non-edible species and how to safely identify them.
Explore the history of foraging and different uses of ingredients.
Discover tips for wild food recipes and some of the lovely produce that can be made with wild ingredients.
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.
We will be out and about during lunch time, so we recommend bringing a packed lunch, and some snacks / a drink etc.
Taynish Reserve car park is in North Knapdale, 13 miles from Lochgilphead.
To reach the car park from Lochgilphead head north from the A83 roundabout following the A816 for 2 miles. Turn left onto the B841 towards Crinan, follow the road by the canal for 3 miles then bear left onto the Tayvallich road (B8025). Continue for 6.5 miles, through Tayvallich, then turn left onto the minor road as you leave the village to the south (just after the Public Toilets which are on your right, the school will be to your left). Continue past Lochan Taynish and you will reach the car park 150m ahead on your right.
From the north it is easily approached via the B8025 which veers right off the A816 just south of Kilmartin and follows a direct line to Bellanoch where it crosses the canal. Turn right, then after ⅓ mile take the Tayvallich turn left onto the continuation of the B8025. Continue as above.
Public Toilets can be found at the south end of Tayvallich Village. There are no toilets at the reserve. Public Transport: Buses 425 and 426 only go as far as Tayvallich Village, it is then a 1.5 mile walk to the car park.
Please plenty to drink, your preferred snack and attire suited to a half day's walk come rain or shine (we will send you our kit list). You will be sent an Emergency Contact/ Health form which needs to be completed prior to your adventure. We also sell Heathery Heights Multiwraps (great as a face covering) and bespoke refillable steel water bottles, in our bid to reduce plastic waste.