A First Foray - Wild Harvest Walk, March 2022

What a joy it was to host the first Wild Harvest Walk of the year on a crisp, sunny day in March. 

Some of the smiling participants on the March Wild Harvest walk

Nine of us gathered at the Nature Unlimited basecamp at Drygrange, to begin two and a half hours of exploring what harvests we could gather from the beautiful area along the Leader Water.

I made the decision to run these walks during lockdown, when so many people commented on how enriching it felt to observe the changing seasons from one location. It truly is a grounding experience to tap into the pace and energy of seasonal change, but it’s rarely something that we feel we can make time for. I’ve found that walking the same area throughout the year is a brilliant way to keep in touch with where nature is at, and is also a much more effective way of learning about our local plants, insects and animals than reading about them in books or online.  You don't have to walk far, and the only tools you need are your own senses in order to take it all in. A steady, slow walking pace is perfect for observing details in the landscape and at your feet, and can also steady the breath and clear the mind - calming techniques that are good for anybody. This was the simple idea behind these Wild Harvest Walks, and it was met with some enthusiasm by the group on this first foray!

A bit of plant identification to start off the session

Even though mid-March might seem a little early to be ‘foraging’, there is actually a lot to be found. Before setting off, we discussed that although there are very few moments in the Scottish year when you might fill a basket with wild food, there are many more ‘harvests’ to be gleaned by ritually exploring our fields, woodland and riverbanks. Finding wild food is a fantastic bonus on any walk, but the value of being outdoors and exploring our relationship with nature - both in the present and the past, through folklore, history and farming practices - is valuable in and of itself. Early spring is also a great time to start learning how to identify plants. As most plants are just emerging, we can follow their progression from shoot to fruit through the year. And while there is little foliage in the landscape, its the perfect time to observe the shape of trees, and get a good view of the lay of the land. 

While I would never consider myself an ‘expert’ in foraging, plant identification or bushcraft, I have been very lucky to learn from and with some real experts in their field. What I do know, from my own background, is that food is a fantastic way to create a deeper connection with and knowledge of just about anything. Eating something - like a plant you have just picked from the ground - forms a relationship with that thing, through sensory experience and memory. As well as tasting while we walk, I also make time in these harvest walks to sit together outside, and share food and drink. This week I brought warming rosehip tea, made from last years rosehips, and some sweet rowan berry jelly which was swiftly demolished!  


Jan from Nature Unlimited keeps us toasty warm with a campfire

By the end of our time together there were plenty of smiles and stories being exchanged and everyone was so relaxed it took quite a while for folk to drift away from the campfire. I’ll be running these walks every month until the autumn, starting from the Nature Unlimited basecamp in Drygrange Community woods and walking in various directions along the Leader Water. Nature Unlimited is a charity that I have volunteered with over the last three years, and coming on a Wild Harvest Walk means you’ll also have a chance to meet members of their team and learn about the amazing work they do.


All Wild Harvest Walk dates are here on my site, but if you can’t find a date that works for you and you’d like to organise a walk for a small group, just get in touch! 

What we found

  • three cornered leek

  • wild garlic

  • celandine

  • dandelion leaves

  • wood sorrel

What we ate and drank

  • rosehip tea

  • rowan berry jelly with crackers


Books and resources

  • WRIGHT, J. 2019. The Forager’s Calendar. Profile.

  • WATERMAN, A. 2021. Woodland Wild Flowers. Merlin Unwin.

  • KENICER, G. 2021. Scottish Plant Lore: an illustrated flora. Birlinn.

  • MILLIKEN, W. et al. 2013. Flora Celtica: plants and people in Scotland. Birlinn.

  • MABEY, R. 1973. Food For Free. Readers Union

  • SEAL, J. 2008. Hedgerow Medicine: harvest and make your own herbal remedies. Merlin Unwin.

  • GallowayWildFoods.com - Mark Williams is a forager in Galloway. He has a great website and Instagram account which is a good resource for those interested in wild foods. The website also has good resources regarding foraging laws and guidelines. 

Past EventsCharlotte Maberlyforaging, forage, wild food, wild harvest, walks, natureComment