The Initiation in Scotland

20th - 26th September 2026

This special version of our keystone course will take us to the edge of the boreal forest. The course will follow our normal comprehensive syllabus but allow us to go deeper into some of the more specialist skills taught. The practicalities of obtaining wild food will be a key focus for us.

Your days will be filled with hard work, discovery and the satisfaction of achievement and learning. Each skill is carefully explained and expertly demonstrated before you practice the technique for yourself. As new skills are acquired, you will be encouraged to apply them as we build upon what you have learned, increasing both the pace and level of challenge. The end result is self- reliance, closeness to nature and improved self- confidence in the outdoors.

By the end of the week, a tight knit group will have been formed and lasting friendships forged by the warmth of the campfire. The final day provides a buzz of excitement as you are all given the opportunity to demonstrate your new skills and understanding in a test that is the gateway to the Journeyman Course.

Challenging, thrilling and satisfying in equal measure, the Woodlore Fundamental Bushcraft Lochside course is conducted entirely outdoors in a friendly campfire atmosphere and will go ahead in all weather. No previous experience is necessary, but a reasonable level of fitness is required. You will be required to bring a tent with you to sleep in and will also have the opportunity to sleep under a loaned tarp and in a natural shelter.

The skills that will be taught during this course include

• Firelighting, including by friction.
• Shelter Construction.
• Water Collection & Purification.
• Plants for food & medicine.
• Natural Cordage.
• Hunting & Trapping.
• Wilderness Fishing Techniques.
• Safe use of Cutting Tools.
• Looking after the land and leaving no trace.
• Backcountry Hygiene.
• Outdoor Safety.
• Natural Navigation.

Please note this course is also being run in East Sussex.

The Fundamental Bushcraft Lochside course will change the way that you look at the world forever and equip you with a firm foundation of practical skills to use in the farthest corners of the world or on your own front doorstep.

This course starts at 17:30 on Sunday and will finish at 16:00 on Saturday.

Catering

All meals for this course will be provided. You will not live from the land during this course although one meal will be of wild food. For the rest of the time normal meals will be provided, allowing each student the opportunity to do some backcountry cooking, therefore if you have special dietary requirements, please let us know on your consent form or contact the office.

We provide a kettle, tea, coffee, squash and biscuits in a brew box at the main campfire of the course, under a large parachute. We also have fresh drinking water and a fruit bowl available.

Course Site

The course will take place at an expedition style camp in Perthshire, Scotland. The camp is situated in beautiful private woodland with no public access with lots of wildlife including deer, owls, badgers, fox and butterflies. We do not have shower/toilet blocks at our sites; therefore all aspects of the course will have a fantastic wilderness feel, using a screened camp shower and a screened latrine in the woods.

We have a car park at the course site where you your car will be kept during the course (if you bring one).

Other Details

Joining instructions will be sent to participants of the course 9 weeks before it is due to start, giving details of where to meet, at what time, and what to bring with you.

Once you have passed the Fundamental Bushcraft Lochside course you are able to attend our Journeyman course.

Scotland

Full joining instructions, kit list and consent form will be sent to you 9 weeks before the commencement of this course. Kit lists and consent forms are available to download from the website.

Go on an inspirational journey through the core disciplines of bushcraft skills with the Fundamental Bushcraft Lochside course from Woodlore. It offers a broad foundation into practical outdoor skills. Set beside a captivating Scottish loch, this 7-day Bushcraft Skills Course will ground you in the necessary knowledge you’ll need to live and travel within the wild. Across the week, you will be introduced to selected skills that are reminiscent of practicality and tradition. No matter if you pitch up with no experience or a familiarity with bushcraft, the course is built to challenge and support you. The only essential you’ll need is a willingness to learn via observation and practice. The core of the week is fire craft. You will learn how to coax flames from embers and gain an understanding of how to help your fires thrive. With guidance from experts, you will carve the components needed to light a fire with friction and work towards doing this independently. You will also build confidence in using edged tools and learn knife safety and techniques to help you work precisely. Across a series of carving projects, you will craft functional elements from wood and will gain understanding of forms and how to control your tools for the best results. By practicing these skills goes beyond levelling up ability but a true respect for materials and crafts. A key factor in your experience is the environment. Our Lochside site in the Scotland is a natural learning zone. As you live and create in this space, you will feel the difference in the details such as the water’s edges and the birds flying above. There are plenty of opportunities to take a moment to observe wildlife in the camp and its surroundings. Awareness is another key skill in the world of bushcraft. Our Bushcraft Skills Course is led by experienced instructors from Woodlore. All demonstrations lead to practice and sharing knowledge. By the end of your time on the course, you will be equipped with core practical skills but also a deep sense of self-sufficiency and understanding of how to conduct yourself within the natural landscapes. This course starts at 17:30 on Sunday and will finish at 16:00 on Saturday.