Skills & Training Courses

Foraging

Discovery Walks

Find Your AdventureEaster Foraging Walk and Wild Firepit Lunch

Easter Foraging Walk and Wild Firepit Lunch

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Duration:
Half Day
Intended Level:
Half Day
Walk Grade:
Half Day
Group Size:
2-8
In Stock:
Available Places:
8
- DATE SOLD OUT -
Please choose another date or call us to check late availability.
Date:
April 19, 2025
Start Time:
10:00 am
Summary
Join us on Easter Saturday for a foraging walk in atmospheric Atlantic Rainforest. Discover a variety of species, learn to safely identify some seasonal wild edibles and enjoy a wild drink and cake on your walk. Back at the Beaver Centre you will be served a mocktail and three course smorgasbord of wild food around the firepit with a hot drink to finish. With permission from the Argyll Beaver Centre, Forestry and Land Scotland and Nature Scotland.
Suitability
The walk is mainly on forestry tracks and paths although we do leave the paths to look at different plants. The ground can be wet, muddy and boggy with some steep, uneven sections through the woodland. A reasonable level of fitness is required for a half day on foot. Suitable for age 10+ with an accompanying adult. Well behaved dogs by arrangement only please.
Highlights
  • Visit ancient Atlantic oak woodlands in this special area of conservation
  • Learn about the plants that thrive here and in similar habitats
  • Discover the principles of sustainable foraging
  • Explore methods used to safely identify some common edible and non-edible species
  • Learn a few wild food recipe tips and about other wild plant uses
  • Enjoy wild refreshments and a wild firepit lunch to tantalise the taste buds
Booking Terms

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 2 people.

Choose your preferred date:

Price:
£ 50.00 GBP

Walk Grades

Grade 1 - Easy

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.

Grade 2 - Leisurely

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.

Grade 3 - Moderate

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.

Grade 4 - Hard

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.

Grade 5 - Challenging

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.

Grade 6 - Severe

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.

More Information:

Heather's Highlight

Wild produce has been part of my life since early childhood including a self-survival expedition at the tender age of 12. Discovering a tasty morsel or trying a new recipe with wild ingredients is always a guilty pleasure bringing back many a happy memory of carefree explorations foraging and connecting with nature.

Detailed Description

Our Easter Foraging walk is held in Knapdale amongst the ancient woods that provide a home for a wonderful array of plants and wildlife.

The area’s woodlands (many of which are Sites of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and therefore protected) are rich with mosses, fungi, lichens, trees and wildflowers making this an ideal place in which to learn. We will walk at a leisurely 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 enjoy an Easter picnic around the firepit made with foraged ingredients.

What's Included:
All guided walks include the following:
  • Your friendly qualified guide for the duration of your walk
  • Group Safety Equipment
  • Emergency First Aid Kit
  • Walk joining information
  • Kit List
  • Friendly advice
Specific to this walk:
Guided foraging walk and morning refreshments. A chance to learn more about the fascinating wild edible (and poisonous!) plants that live in these precious woodland habitats. A full three course wild tasting lunch around the Firepit at the Argyll Beaver Centre. We carry group safety equipment and provide a personal kit list to cover most eventualities of Scottish weather.
Itinerary
  1. Guided Easter foraging walk from Barluasgan car park starting at 10am
  2. We explore woodland areas near Loch Coille-Bharr and Loch Barnluasgan over a period of 2-3 hours
  3. En route we discover the principles of foraging and how to safely identify edible and non-edible species as we explore this special area with kind permission from Nature Scotland
  4. We finish at the Argyll Beaver Centre for a full three course smorgasbord of wild tasters around the firepit where we will discuss recipe ideas and look at different uses of some more common wild edibles
Additional Information:
Make this a private booking

All our activities can be booked for private groups as bespoke experiences.

Prices and terms & conditions for bespoke experiences apply.

Women only option

All our activities can be booked for women only groups either as bespoke experiences or where advertised.

Additional information:

Barnluasgan car park is in North Knapdale, 7 miles from Lochgilphead.

To reach the car park from Lochgilphead head north from the A83 roundabout on 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). After 1 mile turn left at the memorial cross onto the Achnamara road, the car park is just ahead on your left.

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 take the Tayvallich turn left onto the B841 just ahead. Continue as above.

Parts of this walk may be suited as a bespoke experience for those with an all-terrain wheelchair. Please contact us for more details.

Toilets can be found at the Visitor Centre (during our lunch and centre opening hours).

Public Transport: Bus 425, 426 (stop at Barnluasgan, near memorial - the car park is 50m down the left road fork on your left). Bus 426 from Lochgilphead arrives at approx. 09.31am. Return buses run from 16.38 to 18.11pm. If you wish to travel by bus please check with West Coast Motors for up-to-date timetables and services.

Please bring snacks (if desired) for the walk, plenty to drink and attire suited to a half day's walk & talk come rain or shine (we will send you our kit list).

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