Biography
I have taught about foraging and wild food for over 30 years, specialising in plants, fungi, seaweed, coastal foraging, wild booze and gastronomic adventures.
I have been deeply involved in the Association of Foragers since its inception in 2014, and served on its committee since 2019.
In addition to my private events and teaching, I regularly run courses and educational events in association with organisations such as Kew Botanic Gardens, The Woodland Trust, Nature Scotland, The National Trust and various community woodlands.
I am particularly interested in the power of foraging to improve mental and physical health, and restore human intimacy with the natural world.
In additional to my regular teaching events, I work with chefs, businesses and brands to help them connect with wild foods and find ways to considerately, safely and sustainably use them.
I am a member of the British Mycological Society
Galloway Wild Foods is a Unesco Biosphere Certified Business. To achieve this certification a business must operate in a way that minimises its impact on the environment, look after the valued characteristics of their Biosphere region, promote what’s special about it to others, and support their local community.
I mentor and support a wide range of foragers and wild food educators, including authors and fellow teachers. In 2019 I developed and ran a LEADER funded 1 year course to establish and develop wild food focussed businesses and Scotland's first Wild Food Festival.
I am currently working with several nature-focussed organisations to develop a UK-wide accreditation scheme for foragers and wild food users that will serve the interests of our growing community by promoting safe, considerate and sustainable foraging by individuals, businesses and organisations.
I live in the forager's paradise of Galloway, SW Scotland, a glorious patchwork of ancient and fungi-filled forests, wild coasts and bountiful hedgerows. I teach all over the the UK, but mostly in Scotland.
Please check out my website for:
- A huge free online wild food guide
- Bookable guided foraging walks
- Online 1-to-1 wild food mentoring
- Foraging Webinars
- Private foraging tuition and events
- Wild food consultancy for businesses
