Description
A guided foray exploring fungi, with a wild food picnic in the forest afterwards.
September is high fungi season in SW Scotland and this event is designed to make the most of it. Over the course of about 1.5 miles of easy walking over 3 hours we will explore the fascinating world of fungi. While our focus will be on wild mushrooms, we will not ignore the delightful array of edible woodland, and hedgerow plants that we find along the way. Novices and experienced foragers and fungi fans looking to increase their repertoire will enjoy this event.

This event is run in association with Cashel Forest Trust, who are working to restore Scotland’s native woodland. 10% of ticket price goes to support their work. Click their logo to learn more.
Family friendly – 1.5 miles easy walking for all ages. As with all Galloway Wild Foods events, this walk is guided by Mark Williams who has been teaching about fungi and foraging for 30 years.
Meeting place: Cashel Native Forest Centre, Balmaha, nr Drymen. G63 0AW . Ticket holders will be sent full details of the meeting place in the week before the event.
Date: Thursday 15th September 2022
Start: Arrive in time for an 11 am start
Finish: Around 3.30 pm
Expect: Up to 1.5 miles gentle walking on well made paths over 3 hours, with foraged treats and tasters, followed by a wild food tasting picnic
Learn:
- The important role fungi plays in nature
- How to go about identifying important families and species of fungi
- How to home in on the most rewarding edible species
- How to recognise dangerously poisonous species
- Medicinal and utilitarian uses
- Sustainable harvesting practices
- Preservation and cooking techniques
- Key resources for taking your personal learning forward
- Other autumn woodland wild foods
Please note: While this location and date have been selected to maximise our chances of encountering n illuminating range of fungi, due to the fickle nature of mushrooms, I cannot guarantee what we will find.
Eat/drink: Due to Covid 19 social distancing measures, I have adapted my usual wild cookery session at the end of this event so it is now more like a picnic, with pre-prepared boxes of wild treats for each person that serves as both a tasty meal and a demonstration of how to use and prepare some of our finds. Expect wild mushroom paté, chanterelle tart, pickled wild mushrooms, mushroom tea, ferments, tipples and lots more. All dietary requirements can be catered for – there is an opportunity to add your requirements when you book.

A typical autumnal wild food tasting picnic, individually packed in recycled and compostable boxes:
Chanterelle and parmesan tart, cep & laver pastry, garnished with ramson capers & pickled fairy ring & saffron milkcap mushrooms
Eight mushroom paté with salted ramson buds
Smoked egg coated with cep powder, dried fermented wild garlic powder & truffle paste
Hedgehog mushrooms and marsh samphire pickled with wild spices
Cep arancini.
Hot smoked duck & Venison salami with pickled chanterelles& pineapple weed, beetroot fermented with juniper and Sweet elderberry vinegar. (Vegy/Vegan options available)
Wild herb, goat’s cheese and hazelnut pesto with fermented wild garlic
Bring:
Essential: Stout footwear, weather-appropriate clothing, drinking water
Optional: A small basket or cloth bag, notebook, camera, fungi field guide if you have one
Please read the IMPORTANT INFORMATION tab on this page before booking and again before setting off for the event.
Please note: I do not recommend this event for children under 12 years old. Sorry, no dogs unless by prior arrangement.

Views over Loch Lomond from Cashel Forest