Do you want to feel closer to nature and rewild yourself? Do you want to enjoy the outdoors without needing a lot of expensive equipment?
On this Bushcraft Day course, you will learn the most important nature skills that we have lost from our ancestors. In that process, you will free yourself from a dependence on others and technology so you can go outdoors confidently and easily.
Course Summary
Start time: 9:30am
End time: 4:00pm
Cost: £75 per person
Dates: see Calendar or request date
Location: Bamff Ecotourism Estate
Learn the essential skills
With technology and modern lifestyles we have lost many generations of traditional outdoors skills and while it will take many years to recover this, we can make a great start by learning the essentials from someone ahead of you on the journey and to practice, master and then yourself pass on your knowledge to others.
In this one day you will learn:
- Wilderness living
- Fire
- Foraging
- Shelter
- Knife Skills
Rewild yourself and feel part of nature
There is something so magical about being able to take care of yourself outdoors with the most minimal amount of equipment, like our ancestors did.
Being able to protect yourself, lighting a fire from nothing more that what nature provides and a knife and a bootlace, is liberating and gives you the confidence to spend more time outdoors, whether to hone your skills or sit and observe.
Instructor Malcolm Handoll
Malcolm, co-founder of Five Senses, lives at Bamff Ecotourism Estate with his wife Rachel and son. He is a Mountain Leader, loving the challenge of going without kit and using what nature provides.
More about us >
Course Summary
Start time: 9:30am
End time: 4:00pm
Cost: £75 per person
Dates: see Calendar or request date
Location: Bamff Ecotourism Estate
Book Now
If you don’t see the dates you want, please contact us for alternative dates.
We run special events for families, youth groups and provide bespoke training at the highest level in addition to the dates listed.
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FAQs
What about Covid?
We continue to practice social distancing and the wearing of face masks in close proximity. As all activities are outdoors, we should be able to be mask-free. Sanitiser and soap will be provided. Let us know if you have tested positive for Covid within 2 weeks prior to your course and we'll reschedule you.
What about toilets?
We will be in the outdoors, so there are no designated toilets unless an emergency.
What about food?
Bring good pack lunch and snacks.
What about ticks?
Ticks are present, however we select areas where we can largely avoid them. We are very aware of the seriousness of potential tick bites and choose locations accordingly.
How to get here
There is ample car and bike parking, whilst those wishing to use public transport can catch the 57 bus from Perth or Dundee to Alyth. Services are hourly and traverse scenic countryside.
From Alyth you can walk the delightful, wooded Den of Alyth (SSSI) for the 2 1/2 miles to Bamff of you can arrange to be collected at the bus stop.
On Google maps, we can be found by looking for ‘Bamff Ecotourism' near Alyth. Sometimes GPS has led people astray, so here are more precise directions:
From Edinburgh to Blairgowrie
Take the M90 over the Forth Bridge signposted for Perth. Leave the M90 after the Friarton Bridge over the Tay and follow the signs for Braemar (A93), through Bridgend , and then Blairgowrie.
From Glasgow to Blairgowrie
Take the A9 at the Broxden roundabout just west of Perth and stay on it until the turning for Luncarty. Go through Luncarty and Stanley the bear right for Blairgowrie, right again at T junction and left for Braemar/Blairgowrie at the junction with A 93.
From Blairgowrie to Alyth
Drive through Blairgowrie, going left at the traffic lights, cross the River Ericht, take the A926 out of Blairgowrie, signposted for ‘(Alyth)’ and Kirriemuir. Look out for the signs for Alyth shortly after New Alyth and turn left off the A926.
Drive straight through Alyth, leaving the Square to the right. The parish church is straight ahead. Cross the bridge over the Alyth Burn and swing left up the Bamff Road. Leave the church on your right.
From Alyth to Bamff
Follow the Bamff Road, signposted for Glenshee and Bridge of Cally for 2.5 miles.
After a sharp left hand bend, signed Glenshee, Bridge of Cally, (Glenisla is to the right) you will see the lodge at the end of the drive to Bamff . Turn off the road (to the right) and up the drive – about two thirds of a mile.
From the North
You may approach by the Tullymurdoch/Alyth road from the A93, or from the west from Bridge of Cally take the Drimmie Road. If you are approaching from Bridge of Cally go left at a sign for Bamff, then after Mains of Creuchies go right(for Alyth). You will see the Bamff farm road to your left after a few yards. Carry on for another half mile and take the next left, marked Bamff.
Perth to Blairgowrie is about 15 miles and Blairgowrie to Alyth is 5. Alyth to Bamff is 3.5 miles or so.
Will the course be cancelled if the weather is bad?
No, the course will run come rain or shine as that gives us a chance to learn in more realistic conditions. However if lightning is forecast, we will change locations.
Where to stay
We are based at Bamff Ecotourism Estate, which includes self-catering accommodation in cottages, yurts and off-grid cabins.
What if we're late?
Please allow plenty of time extra to get to the start point -- don't rely on Satnav to get you there on time! Due to the rural location and farm traffic, travel times can be longer than you would expect.
If you're not going to make it to the start of the course at least 15 minutes prior to start, please contact us so we can make any arrangements.
What is the minimum age?
Children are welcome accompanied by parents, and 16 and 17 year olds are welcome solo with written permission.