Day Out Firelighting at holyrood

[JohnC]

i had the opportunity to help the ranger team at holyrood park in Edinburgh again this year, theres a guided tour they do, meeting up with a druid, a hunter and a firelighter (me) from the iron age.. the ranger ties everything together about the history of the area..

Its a great chance to get to light a controlled fire, cut up wood and cook things in the middle of the park! I was to show firelighting and talk a bit about the transformative nature of fire..

There was a cloudburst mid afternoon, but it was mostly dry... the tour had a go at a bit of firelighting, and a q&a session with us all..

Theres another event next Saturday, this time its at the ranger station, so more cooking, and hopefully more participation opportunities! (See you there toddy! )




Looking up towards the hill and the crags..




Setting up and getting a fire going...



Casting pewter medallions...



Me and the hill...



Oatcakes on the go...

 

[Greenbeard]

Those pewter medallions look great, did you carve the stone moulds?

 

[JohnC]

Those pewter medallions look great, did you carve the stone moulds?

Hello, yes, roughly with a small chisel, and finer detail with a dremel.. not very iron age
The guys at the ranger station have replicas of moulds found locally I believe, for horse tack

 

[Toddy]

Looks like a good day I like your set up

I'm sort of packed for next weekend.....we could put out a call and arrange a kind of mini Meet up ?
Come and play with fire, fibres, dyes, etc., at the Holyrood Park Rangers Centre next Saturday. (15th) Kick off about 11, but we'll be there a little beforehand.

http://www.whatsoninedinburgh.co.uk/event/057422-archaeology-day/

Touch wood, but we haven't been rained off this event yet, and I've been doing it for years now. It's a laid back, come and blether, have a go and a wander with the Druid, kind of day

M

 

[JohnC]

Looks like a good day I like your set up

I'm sort of packed for next weekend.....we could put out a call and arrange a kind of mini Meet up ?
Come and play with fire, fibres, dyes, etc., at the Holyrood Park Rangers Centre next Saturday. (15th) Kick off about 11, but we'll be there a little beforehand.

http://www.whatsoninedinburgh.co.uk/event/057422-archaeology-day/

Touch wood, but we haven't been rained off this event yet, and I've been doing it for years now. It's a laid back, come and blether, have a go and a wander with the Druid, kind of day

M

That's a good idea, IIRC we had some cover last year if required... the rangers walk is very interesting!

 

[JohnC]

Packing for holyrood event!

http://www.whatsoninedinburgh.co.uk/event/057422-archaeology-day/

 

[John Fenna]

Looking good John!

 

[JohnC]

now unpacking from the holyrood event!
It turned out s decent day with some sunshine and no rain!
Lots of visitors, having a go at firelighting, great to see peoples reactions when they got a flame or tried some of the oatcakes we were making..
Made a lot of pewter medallions, as give-aways along with some wood spoons.
Mary and I had a good meet wth all the rangers and the other team volunteers.
Not too many pics as we werent meant to be waving phones around

 

[Greenbeard]

Great picture! Glad the weather was good. What recipe did you use for the oat cakes?

 

[JohnC]

Great picture! Glad the weather was good. What recipe did you use for the oat cakes?

It was decent weather which we were glad to see!
The oatcakes were 1 cup coarse oatmeal, 1/2 cup wholemeal flour, a bit of salt,
rubbed together with some butter then a little water to make a dryish dough,
shape and cook on the gridle till done.

 

[Greenbeard]

Sounds tasty! I'm going to give that a go in my frying pan. Thanks for the recipe

 

[Toddy]

Just found your post
It was a very good day and the weather gods were in a good mood too, which always helps when playing with fire
The company was excellent, and the oatcakes were so right

M