Any place to practice survival skills near Edinburgh?

[Survivalkraft]

Hello,
I am both new to this site and fairly new to Scotland. I am from North Georgia/South Tennessee and I would like to practice my survival skills while in Britain—fire-making, shelter building, etc. Is there any place near Edinburgh where I can practice this art, and do I need any special permissions/licensing? Thanks!
Blessings,
Survivalkraft

 

[Toddy]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

The shelter building's the issue.....you need the landowners permission to cut down and use his timber.

Otherwise, respect curtilege, farmland, SSSi's, scheduled ancient monuments & their environs, and plantations, and the right to responsible access allows for the the rest

http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Countryside/16328

I don't know Edinburgh well, a few parks and the like that I've worked in, but there are other folks around who do; bound to be someone along to comment

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Andy BB]

If you can survive in Glasgow on a Saturday night, you can survive anywhere

 

[andybysea]

if you dont mind traveling 50-ish miles south and dont mind a rugged shoreline instead of a forrest i can possibly help you out.

 

[jiffi]

Speak to David at Nordic outdoors in leith he is my brother and helps at wooplaw woods when all bushcraft things re welcome!

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

Lots of woods and forests still have lots of trees down from the Jan storm last year. So plenty of dead fallen wood to build shelters with. Park up at Hopetoun House, north west of Edinburgh, then hike along the coast path or park at Blackness, then head along the coatal path SE. Lots of driftwood along the beach there to build with. light your small fire along the beach below high tide line.

 

[Frampi]

Plenty of places near Edinburgh that you can mess about in . There are a few wooded areas near Penicuik although they are frequented by dog walkers etc. Travelling a bit further afield would help with this. If you need some locations drop me a PM although the places i know are a bit further away from Edinburgh so depends on how much travelling you are willing to do. Shelter building would be limited to dead wood however as already said.

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

Although accessable, some parts of the Pentlands are pretty quiet. You will work out as you journey through, which bits are farmed and which bits quieter. No options for fires or shelter building but lots of hideaway bits.

 

[Jimmy.S.]

Hello,
A few places round about that could be quite good provided you seak out a spot hidden off track, are corstorphine wood and the woods beside craigmillar castle. Plenty of dead fall, ideal for debris/ stealth shelters.
The Pentland hills are definitely a good place to go, as above, there are plenty out the way type spots.

 

[Davedon]

Speak to David at Nordic outdoors in leith he is my brother and helps at wooplaw woods when all bushcraft things re welcome!

I second that. I'm at Wooplaw most weekends or sign up for the news letter at http://www.wooplaw.org.uk