Discovery Walks

Skills & Training Courses

Foraging

Find Your AdventureForaging and Nature

Foraging and Nature

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Duration:
Half Day
Intended Level:
Half Day
Walk Grade:
Half Day
Group Size:
In Stock:
Available Places:
6
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Date:
Start Time:
Summary
An introduction to wild edibles held in the stunning setting of Loch Melfort, Argyll. Learn about a range of wild species on a foraging walk with tips on how to safely identify and sustainably collect them. Enjoy delicious wild cake and refreshments and take a recipe or two home.
Suitability
The walk is on a mixture of tracks and woodland paths, with some pathless uneven ground. We do take our time to try and ensure everyone is able to look at the different species in the various nooks and crannies we explore. A reasonable level of fitness is required for a half day on foot. Suitable for age 10+ with an accompanying adult. Dogs by arrangement only please (we love dogs on our walks but they may get bored on a course!).
Highlights
  • Enjoy a two hour foraging walk in coastal woodlands by lovely Loch Melfort
  • Learn about the plants and fungi that thrive here and in similar habitats
  • Discover key principles of sustainable foraging
  • Learn to safely identify some common edible and non-edible species
  • Take home a few wild food recipe tips
  • Enjoy a foragers' cake and drink made with wild ingredients
Booking Terms

Booking essential. For late availability please contact us on 07899765240. This experience requires a minimum of 4 people.

Choose your preferred date:

Price:
£ 25.00 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 and discovering a tasty morsel or trying a new recipe with wild ingredients is always a guilty pleasure.

Detailed Description

The foraging walks starts from our meeting point by reception, Melfort Village. Following an introduction to sustainable foraging we will be walking through the grounds and coastal woodlands, exploring a variety of the species found in this habitat.

Enjoy the slow pace and connect with nature whilst examining and learning how to identify some common edible and poisonous species.

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.

Enjoy a cake and drink made with wild 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 two hour foraging walk. A chance to learn more about some of our local edible species. A handy guide to the principles of foraging. Take home a recipe. Enjoy foraged treats.
Itinerary
  1. Guided foraging walk from Melfort Village, Kilmelford
  2. Following an introduction we explore the surrounding grounds and coastal woodland area for a period of 2 hours
  3. En route we explore some principles of foraging and how to safely identify edible and non-edible species
  4. Enjoy some forager's cake and a drink made with wild ingredients
  5. The opportunity to visit the bar and café within Melfort Village before or after the walk
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:

Melfort Village lies 16 miles south of Oban and 23 miles north of Lochgilphead.

To reach Melfort Village from Oban take the A816 south to Kilmelford. Just after passing through Kilmelford and before leaving the speed restricted zone you will reach a turning on your right signposted to Melfort and Degnish. Turn right and follow the single track road past the village hall, fire station and continue along the coast and through some woodland until you cross a bridge. Turn right and follow the track up, keeping to the right, which will take you up to reception and adjacent parking.

From Lochgilphead take the A816 north to Kilmelford and take the turning left to Melfort Village just before entering Kilmelford then follow directions as above.

Public Transport: None (buses 423 and 23 pass through Kilmelford, 1.6 miles to the east). However, cycling is another option.

Please bring water 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 made from recycled plastic waste and bespoke refillable steel water bottles, in our bid to reduce plastic.

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