Testimonials

Here is a sample of the comments we get from our clients:

"Leon was very patient (!), clear, knowledgeable and an excellent teacher. He was always ready to answer questions or give extra support when it was needed! He was great at adapting his teaching style depending on the skills (or lack of them) in the people he was teaching content. I thoroughly enjoyed it and wasn't bored for a second (which is quite a feat when spending a whole weekend in a cold,damp woodland in Feb!). The programme was full enough for there always to be something new to do, whilst giving you enough time on each task to really get a feel for it. Leon's laid back approach and flexible attitude meant you cold easily spend more time on a task if you were particularly interested in something (e.g. spoon carving!). I thoroughly enjoyed it - a great experience which I'm so glad I did. It was fantastic on a freezing weekend in Feb, so it must be totally amazing the rest of the year! The bannoch was a revelation, so delicious (or were we just starving?!). The spoon carving, fire lighting, foraging for water, were all great experiences. The rabbit skinning was good but quite gruesome (but if you're on a survival weekend, what can you expect?!). A fantastic way to spend a weekend, you'll come back exhausted, and probably ravenously, but feeling like you've been away for a month, are completely relaxed and have forgotten all about your day-to-day worries. I couldn't recommend it more." - (Survival Weekend) S. Campbell

"Easy atmosphere .. nudged along when we needed it especially when we were cooking .. Leon is VERY knowledgeable and shared that knowledge in a 'quiet' sort of way, very befitting the woodland experience, and was very open to answering all questions. A really good day. I learned a lot. Just think of all the foods that we have collected, cooked and eaten! .... soup made with bullrush roots, burdock roots, wild garlic and nettles .... .... sauteed beefsteak mushroom and sauteed burdock chips with wild garlic .....a bit of a hazel nut ... nettle and blackberry tea, ash cakes .....trout with blackberry and elderberry coulis .... Posh nosh! " - (Wild Food) C. Blakeman

"Leon was very welcoming on our arrival. He put students at ease with his delightful manner and was always friendly, patient and available to students through out the course. He gave due consideration to all abilities/experience of the students. All information was delivered in a way that was professional and clear. All subjects were covered in the appropriate depth, topics were fully explained and backed up with an obvious wealth of knowledge and experience. I loved the game preparation, fire lighting technique sessions and the fact that we were given time to practice some of the skills we had learnt in useful way. I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn basic skills of bushcraft. It has certainly given me an appetite to learn more and to try and hone skills learnt during the weekend. I had one of the most inspiring and enjoyable weekends of my life" - (Survival Weekend) D. Stewart

"The course (Bushcraft Scotland) was the best so far, the scenes were amazing and it was lovely to paddle the lochs with a sense of freedom everywhere you went. The only thing I would have improved would have been to make it longer! Overall I thought the course excellent and would recommend to anyone who wants to see Scotland at its best - I would go again!" - (Bushcraft Canoe Scotland) D. Bates

"The instructors' knowledge of the local ecology was second to none. I feel like I learnt so much! Both Ian and Leon were very appoachable, and knowledgeable. I asked them so many questions about the local wildlife, and amazingly they always seemed to know the answer no matter how obsure the question seemed to me! I came home feeling a little tired but completely stress free, and mentally refreshed. I wish I could wake up every morning surrounded by mountains and lochs, and hearing the birds chirping around me. The location was absolutely stunning. I did not realise such vast and beautiful places existed in the UK. I loved the combination of doing canoeing alongside camping and learning about the wildlife in the area. What a fab combination. Also the flexibility in the schedule- allowing us to choose how we spent some of the time was great. It meant everyone got to do what they wanted. Loved it!" - (Wildlife Canoe Scotland) D. Helsdon

"Leon was an incredible teacher - delivering all the information in detailed but easy to digest chunks, very approachable and willing to help. There was a lot of information packed into the course and it was clear that there was a lot still to learn. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and loved seeing the badger set, learning how to identify the different trees and searching for Crampballs. I especially liked the tracking walk at the end of the weekend and the water collection walk. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves the out doors, likes a bit of an adventure and wants to do something a little different than the usual "weekend away". You come away with a new found admiration for the outdoors and bush craft techniques." - (Survival Weekend) D. Greenwood

"Found the ecological approach really enjoyable and rewarding. Leon is extremely responsible, approachable and respectful of individual's requirements. His passion for bushcraft and the environment is well conveyed and infectious." - (Bushcraft Weekend) M. Packman

"Learnt far more than I expected to in a weekend! Really enjoyed that we were gently pushed out of our comfort zone whilst at the same time knowing that if we were really uncomfortable with anything we could opt out without any negativity. A great compromise. Great mix of 'activities' and all were challenging but do-able, very satisfying! I loved all of it and enjoying telling my friends about it even more! I'm trying to think of any contructive criticism but I'm really not sure I can think of anything, from start to finish, it completely surpassed my expectations. Unbelievably one of the things that I enjoyed the most was preparing the game as I really didn't think I'd be able to do it. Bow Drill technique and food preperation in general were also great but there wasn't really a weak link! Just a huge thanks for a completely enjoyable and informative weekend, it was definitely one I'll remember." - (Survival Weekend) V. Webb

"Leon was clear, organised and systematic in his teaching, while also being creative, flexible and accomodating in dealing with questions. We covered an enormous amount during a short space of time, yet things never felt rushed. We had great success and gained much new knowledge foraging for, preparing and cooking, wild foods; sourcing and purifying water; shelter building; and making and transporting fire. I entered the woods with a degree of trepidation and low confidence in my ability to adapt to, and live in, a natural environment. I left feeling elated and with a strong core belief that I can thrive in, and fully experience, wild places. I also enjoyed the quiet comradeship, trust and good humour that Leon fostered during the course. An unexpected pleasure was the discovery of the delicious flavours and interesting textures of the wild foods we found and learning preparation and camp fire cooking techniques. The weekend was suffused with a sense of well-being and I felt a deep sense of connecting with the inherent spirituality of nature, and feeling comfortable and competent. The sunny and mild autumnal weather and colourful beauty of the woods helped!" - (Autumn Four Seasons) P. Law

"I feel like i have learnt a lot about the native species of trees and plants and how you can utilise them in a survival situation. I really enjoyed the whole experience. I have learnt so much about what nature can provide, though I do wish I could remember all the little details better, and I have had an amazing weekend adventure. I could have done it for longer! I have wanted to do one of these weekends since I was a child and it did not disappoint in the slightest." - (Survival Weekend) D. Helsdon

"I always have a fantastic time on these courses and I am always looking ahead to the next one. A great weekend in a gorgeous piece of woodland with a lot of variety. All of the activities are interesting and challenging, but the camaraderie of the group is always a pleasure too. For those who are genuinely interested in the outdoors and the practical survival skills that our ancestors used, this course is just right." - (Bare Hands Bushcraft) J. Banks

"The length of the course allowed a complete immersion into the world of tracking and observing the local environment, allowing one's perception to shift from an unaware state. A great introduction to Tracking in a beautiful woodland with plentiful wildlife. With the foundation this course has provided I will be actively looking out for signs and tracks whenever I'm walking or bushcrafting from now on! It has changed the way I look at and appreciate the outdoors." - (Tracking Foundation) D. McKay

"An excellent run course with an instructor that is both knowledgeble and passionate about bushcraft, in some of the wildest and most beautiful settings this country has to offer" - (Bushcraft Canoe Scotland) C. Lang

"An obvious life-time of knowledge and interest which the instructor was willing and enthusiastic about sharing" - (Survival Weekend)A. Krutz

"I particularly liked cooking, learning about trees and plants and using knives. And feeling so at home in the woods. I really enjoyed it - thank you very much. The simple fire feels so satisfying and I am grateful you are keeping these traditions alive. A worthwhile career indeed." - (Bushcraft Weekend) N. Lythgoe

"Really excellent - I'll remember the things I have learnt for years" - (Bushcraft Weekend) M. Waterland

"I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking of getting more 'in tune' with nature" - (Bushcraft Weekend) D. Cox

"Exactly what I was looking for ... it'll take a while to assimilate all I learnt!" - (Plants used in Bushcraft) T. Eichner

"Found the firestarting very satifying when it worked! Great way to spend the day!" - (Bushcraft Weekend) E. Sayer

"The setting was beautiful, the course interesting, Leon knowledgeable and the day exciting!" - (Bushcraft Weekend) J. Leary

"Very informative and taught in a fun way. Excellent way to start bushcraft" - (Bushcraft Weekend) M. Swain

"Fabulous course! Great day out, excellent fun" - (Tracking Day) E. Morgan

"What a fantastic and informative introduction to survival skills" - (Bushcraft Weekend) A. Emirali

"Very efficient style, without being military. So many essential skills balanced into such a short time - I want more!" - (Bushcraft Weekend) B. Nicholson

"Loved every second - makes you understand how lucky we are (how easy life is)" - (Bushcraft Weekend) A. Kershaw

"Best weekend spent for don't know how long - wet Sunday didn't dampen spirits" - (Bushcraft Weekend) G. Williams

"Fabulous hands-on and I really did make fire in the end. Great that we all got a chance to try everything out. Tutors were really friendly, treated us as equals." - ( Family Weekend) P. Walker

"An excellent introduction to bushcraft skills that was fun, engaging and a memorable experience" - (Bushcraft Weekend) G. Jones

"The entire course was fantastic and the tutor - Leon - was gifted in his knowledge." - (Firelighting Day) M. Morris

"A real treat in the midst of a busy life" - (Bushcraft Weekend) A. Jeffrey

"Excellent as always. Never fail to learn something new" - (Four Seasons) J. Rolf

"Mind-blowing - learned more in one day than I have in years!" - (Survival Day) D. Seal

"Course content and delivery was given in such a clear, concise manner it was easy and enjoyable to participate in" - (Bushcraft Weekend) C. Lang

"A well run and in depth course covering a good Foundation for use in life and a very laid back and approachable instructor" - (Bushcraft Foundation) D. Bates

"Very professional, knowledgeable teacher - great all round experience" - (Bare Hands Bushcraft) P. Crompton

"Fascinating, so good to learn about natural methods and way of life" - (Bare Hands Bushcraft) L. Turner

“Everything taught with patience and humour; lots of fascinating, practical, detailed information. Tasks broken down into achievable stages, [instructors] approachable, calm and accommodating and incredibly knowledgeable.” - (Family Weekend) P. Law

"Very relaxed, which helps people take in the information. Hugely enjoyable. Changes your perspective on your normal daily life" - (Survival Weekend) J. Banks

A thank you letter from a student on our Survival Weekend