Biography
I am a forager, research herbalist and ethnobotanist. I teach foraging courses all over the country. I have a Masters degree in Herbal Medicine, am a Fellow of the Linnean Society, a Member of the Association of Foragers, a Member of the British Mycological Society and a Member of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine. I live in West Lothian in a self-built wooden house on 4 organic acres where I am encouraging medicinal and foraging species to create a wild, teaching garden.
Early years
I have been fascinated by herbs and plants since childhood. My original interest was sparked by a wild childhood in Kenya, where I was introduced to herbal medicine by a local Kikuyu herbalist at the age of six. We were outdoors most of the time and I remember with joy the freedom of those early years. I love foraging for wild food as well as wild medicine and would happily never visit a supermarket again. I have a keen interest in the different ways that people live and I collect stories and fables from traditional peoples across the world. I have also had the good fortune to have run talks and workshops in many different countries.
In past years, I have run private courses and walks and workshops for the Forestry Commission, Scottish Natural Heritage, National Trust Scotland and many companies and community groups. I love to encourage those of you living in our cities to visit the green spaces, parks and countryside and reconnect with nature!
