Find out how weeds can be something amazing on our Children’s Foraging Walks

Eleanor Brown, also known as the Fermented Forager, is coming along to our Summer Family Fun Day at Glamis Castle next month to tell share why weeds are definitely not a nuisance and can actually be the most wonderful plants to forage for.

Eleanor Brown, the Fermented Forager

Based in Ballater in Aberdeenshire, Eleanor Brown is travelling south to Glamis Castle to run a series of Children’s Foraging Walks during our Summer Family Fun Day on Sunday 13th August. During these walks, Eleanor will be taking children (along with their mums and dads) to explore what incredible nutritious and tasty edible ingredients can be found on our nature trail.

“When you explore the nature trail at Glamis, you can easily spend an hour in a one location because there’s so many wild plants to see,” says Eleanor. “The Children’s Foraging Walks proved so popular when I first came here last May that I was a little intimidated by the number of young kids who had signed up. I needn’t have been. I found that, because they came along in family groups, the parents were really interested themselves. It was lovely to see, and the groups were very attentive and full of questions.”

During the Summer Family Fun Day, Eleanor is hoping to see lots of children discovering lots of wild plants and flowers during the walks.

Some wild flowers including dandelion and wild garlic

“During August I would expect to see lots of wild garlic, nettles, dandelion and plenty of flowers. At this stage I would expect there to be lots of flowers in full bloom. Edible ones can be nice in salads but mostly they work well in herbal teas as many are very aromatic and relaxing. There’s also a chance of some acorns forming from the large oak trees so we can talk about fruits and nuts that will be beginning to fall.”

Having worked with children for over 25 years and having grown up in a city herself, Eleanor is keen to help young people understand the value in what can be found in the natural world and how it can be so positive to your mood as well.

“When I first discovered foraging, I just felt happier being around it and realised that nature is really good for our mental health. One of the reasons I do what I do is to reconnect people with wild places and I’m really interested in the nutrition you get from wild plants. I like the fact it’s a food that somebody can directly go out and get themselves which I think is a really important thing for kids to be reminded about.”

As well as coming along to Glamis Castle to go on a foraging walk, Eleanor has three top tips for any children looking to go foraging in their own gardens or when out for a walk during the summer holidays.

As well as meeting Eleanor and going foraging, our Summer Family Fun Day is packed with plenty to keep both kids and grown ups entertained all day long. Look out for segways, laser clay pigeon shooting, inflatable chip shot golf, gladiator duelling, a steeplechase assault course and a jungle zoo inflatable from the Team Challenge Company, who Glamis Castle has partnered with for the event.

There will also be creative workshops from Happily Ever Arts, Sand Art activities, face painting, special yoga sessions for all ages from Creative Sparks Yoga and storytelling sessions with Beci for children to enjoy.

A dog-friendly event, there will be a Pet Parade at 1pm, sponsored by the Happy Go Lucky Dog Company. Also, there will be a range of stalls showcasing a variety of local food and drink traders as well as quality local crafters for shoppers to browse.

And, of course, there’s our beautiful castle and grounds for you to explore where visitors can enjoy a bite to eat in our Castle Kitchen Restaurant and a look around our Pavilion Gift Shop.

Our Summer Family Fun Day is taking place from 10am-4pm on Sunday 13th August. To find out more to book tickets click here.