NEWS : The Scottish Wild Food Festival is back - Cardross Estate 9th May 2020

Following the success of 2019’s event, The Scottish Wild Food Festival will return to the stunning Cardross Estate in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park (Stirlingshire) in May 2020.

The Scottish Wild Food Festival is returning to Cardross Estate on 9th May 2020

The Scottish Wild Food Festival is a one-day festival that will take place on 9th May and is funded by Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER. Visitors will be able to take part in foraging walks and woodland trails; wilderness craft workshops and wild food demonstrations; as well as learn about medicinal plants and the benefits of wild teas. There will be an extensive range of free and paid-for events and activities throughout the day, suitable for people of all ages.  There will also be the chance to learn outdoor skills like fire lighting and wild cookery. The popular long table lunch will be returning, delighting diners at a one of a kind culinary banquet that focuses on wild ingredients.

Central to the festival is a group of 12 local people who have been brought together on a programme aimed to improve and encourage foraging skills in the area.  Participants include head chef of Monachyle Mhor, Marysia Paszkowska; Lauren Lochrie of Herbal Homestead, who specialises in natural wellness; Trossachs Wild Apothecary, Rokhsaneh Madeira who has an interest in medicinal plants; and Charlotte Flowers of Charlotte Flower Chocolates who will be showcasing her award-winning handmade chocolate, which is renowned for seasonal foraged flavours. The programme is designed to leave a legacy of skills that will be showcased at the festival and beyond. With information stalls including Scottish Natural Heritage and the Association of Foragers, visitors have a perfect opportunity to learn about responsible foraging and the many wonderful uses for wild plants found on our doorstep.

Festival-goers will also enjoy a range of wild-inspired street food as well as a wild food mini market serving everything from sourdough breads and baking with a foraged twist, to wild flavoured chocolates and elderberry liqueurs.

The beguiling Cardross Estate stretches over 4,500 acres of parkland, wood and farmland. The venue has a rich variety of foraging habitats with plenty of hideaways to host intimate workshops. 

The full line up for The Scottish Wild Food Festival will be announced on the Foraging Fortnight website https://www.foragingfortnight.co.uk/scottish-wild-food-festival/.

Tickets are priced at £10 per adult with free entry for children under 16 allowing access to the festival and its many free events, demonstrations, marketplace and information stands. Some events and workshops within the festival are individually priced and pre bookable on the website.

The Scottish Wild Food Festival is one of the key events of Foraging Fortnight, a LEADER funded project that draws together events across Forth Valley and Loch Lomond, Fife, Lanarkshire, Orkney and Moray.  Foraging Fortnight runs from 2nd to 17th May 2020 in mainland areas and 29th August – 13th September in Orkney.

Find out more about the Scottish Wild Food Festival and other events taking place in Foraging Fortnight at https://www.foragingfortnight.co.uk/.

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