Learning the ways of UK Bushcraft

[Mhearadh.macleod]

Please forgive me for any misunderstandings and silly questions. I am autistic and trying to learn as much as I can to prepare for myself for my trip.

I am learning survival skills for wild rural camping in a weekly basis with professional training. I want to come to Scotland as a visitor to go wild camping far as I can away from society however I am running into a few issues which has caused me a lot of confusion.


My latest questions of confusion are below:

I know knives are a big issue but I was hoping to bring my fishing knife for gutting and cleaning my fish I catch. I am fully aware of clubs I have to pay fees and any landowners I need to get permission from to fish. Once I plan on where exactly I am going I will do what needs to be done to make sure no laws are broken.

I recently found out my machete sized knife was an absolute no go most likely so a new knife will need it be purchased for my trip. My throwing axe I am not entirely sure as I have heard a hatchet is allowed. However, I heard I need a foraging license and/or permission from land owners to cut down any branches or twigs. Is this true? If so, how can anyone do wild survival if they can’t curb down small branches or something to make a fire for warmth?

Any advice on my fishing knife?

Final question for now, how can anyone just go walking or camping in the rural part of Scotland far from society if there all these laws? I mean you can’t carry a months worth of food supplies? They have to fish and/or hunt small game to survive.

Advice please?

 

[C_Claycomb]

To be clear what you are asking…

• In Scotland do you need a license to collect wood for a camp fire while camping/back packing?
• Can you carry a fishing knife?
• How can someone wild camp for a month and stay within all the laws?

Is that correct?

It might be helpful if you can tell us where you have been getting your information so far. I am sure many here will also be curious why someone in the US, with all it has to offer in the way of wilderness, would want to test themselves in Scotland. It sounds like you are planning this as your first such camping/survival trip. Is this corrct?

What is your ”fishing knife”? What advice are you looking for in regards to it? Legal advice? Advice on what makes a good fishing knife?

Throwing axe? Perhaps a picture or link would be helpful. To me the term throwing axe conjures up an image of a small all steel thing with multiple points and soft temper…or a double bit thing. Neither one seems like a good woods tool.

best regards
Chris

 

[C_Claycomb]

When I have camped in Scotland and we have wanted a fire, we have had one, no twig collection license. I have not heard of such a thing. Only a permit to forage wood on Forestry Service land for domestic use, which is not the situation you are interested in.

 

[Robson Valley]

Welcome. I suggest that you do a few weekends and a few weeks of camping at home (the USA) before you venture abroad. Europe and the UK have some serious sharp-edge laws that you need be mindful of. It's no where near as slack and casual as a week in the shadows of the Grand Tetons or up on the rim of Crater Lake (take warm clothes even in July).

I suspect that there are knife laws in Canada, where I live, but I could not tell you a single word from any of them. Nobody seems to care what sort of knife you have. Gigantic "pig-stickers" look out of place.

I have far bigger and far sharper wood carving tools. For camping and "bush craft", I measured them all at 2.5inches.
Maybe it's just old age but that seems to be about right for most things.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Why Scotland ? I mean it isn't exactly Alaska or Montana. The 'wilderness' parts of Scotland are pretty small in surface area & far from uninhabited. Unless one was a survival expert or special forces on a training course, it would be near impossible to live off the land for a month without breaking laws, remaining unseen & having an unbelievable amount of luck.
On a brighter note, there are plenty of shops in Bonnie Scotland, so if one plans the trip well, resupplying shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Broch]

L'n'M makes a good point, the wildest areas of Scotland would be hard to live off. Think more barren moorland rather than prime deciduous woodland (though there is some of that in places). However, the north western coast is full of coastal foraging opportunities and good wild camping. Just don't expect it to be particularly unpopulated though - every coastal track leads to a dwelling of some kind.

As far as sharps are concerned - never carry one on your belt in a public place (pack it well out of sight), limit it to 'necessary' dimensions for your tasks (no machetes or combat style knives etc.).

Sea fishing is free nearly everywhere; some estuaries are controlled by fishing organisations for migrating game fish. All freshwater requires license and/or club membership.

Fires should be as small as possible to do the task in hand and always used with regard to the environment you're in - never lit directly on woodland floor with deep leaf litter or on peat. Make sure you have enough water available to completely extinguish and soak the area before you leave. Collecting dry dead wood is fine (that's what you want anyway); cutting green wood is rarely acceptable or allowed.

Having said all that, Scotland is beautiful and well worth a visit (and that's a Welshman speaking ) just not as 'wild' as one might think.

 

[C_Claycomb]

Coastal forage might help with living off the land, in the right area.

I am dubious about the practicality of learning bushcraft in one country, then travelling to another, with a very different environment, different flora and fauna, different topography, and expecting to comfortably live off the land for a month. Survive, sure, people can fast for a month, but that isn’t what is being asked about.

 

[SaraR]

Realistically, if you want to camp gor a month in Scotland you do need to pack in and/or buy your food as you go. Depending on location and time of year, you may be able to complement it with fish, sea food, berries etc

Hunting requires a lot more in terms of licences, permissions and there are a lot of laws that apply.

You can't cut down trees or branches without permission.

You can carry a sufficiently small non-locking folding knife. If you have acceptable reasons for it, you can also carry fixed blade knifed, like a Mora knife for instance. But you'd want to have it packed away when not in use and especially when there are people around.

 

[Mhearadh.macleod]

Why Scotland ? I mean it isn't exactly Alaska or Montana. The 'wilderness' parts of Scotland are pretty small in surface area & far from uninhabited. Unless one was a survival expert or special forces on a training course, it would be near impossible to live off the land for a month without breaking laws, remaining unseen & having an unbelievable amount of luck.
On a brighter note, there are plenty of shops in Bonnie Scotland, so if one plans the trip well, resupplying shouldn't be a problem.

I can agree to that however, is there not rural parts (mostly in the highlands) that have little to no human interaction? There is no way that every square inch (metaphorically) has a town, city, or mass amount of people. I see photos of these massive hills, mountains and fields with little to no human interference. Maybe a bothie here or there but there has to be a part of Scotland than someone can theoretically disappear into and never be heard from or seen again, right?

What is the most rural part of Scotland and how far is it away from civilisation (meaning a town, roadway, etc.)?

 

[Tengu]

North Rona.

North Rona - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Sees about twenty bodies a year?

But trust me, coming home from a stay in Scotland, its BUSY. And the more remote you go, the more busy.

(Oh yeah, and those wild looking spots are entirely artificial).

I cant understand why you are coming from a country with some of the remotest places to a busy place like Scotland. But, given your forum name, maybe its cultural?

Apart from its a lovely place (and full of lovely people but if you are English or look like you might be English you will be teased no end). The only advantage of Scotland is the Wild Camping laws.

CANMORE will give you good maps to explore and prove just how much human activity there is in those `wild` places....

Map | Canmore

canmore.org.uk

 

[Broch]

What is the most rural part of Scotland and how far is it away from civilisation (meaning a town, roadway, etc.)?

In my opinion, the most remote area is probably the North West corner west of Durness and North of Kinlochbervie; there are no roads or even decent tracks into this area. If you make your way to Sheigra you can walk North to Traigh Shanabhait (Sandwood Bay - find it on Google maps, there are loads of photos). However, as mentioned earlier, this is barren land and, although there will be trout in the lochs, fish and shellfish and seaweeds on the coast, it would be tough to survive without provisions unless you are very experienced, and you'll probably have to rely on driftwood for fire.

The islands are very desolate, treeless, places with constant wind and very little shelter. If there are no people, it's for a reason

 

[Toddy]

Welcome to the forum
I don't like to discourage anyone, but you're living in a country with a vast acerage of land, with massive natural parks, etc., with flora and fauna you are familiar with, while we're on rather overcrowded (main) islands and restricted flora and fauna since we were cut off from the continent before both were recovered enough to repopulate.

As a Scot, living in Scotland, with family and friends who camp, walk, climb, sail, canoe, fish and hunt, etc., I can tell you that there are no big, wild, wilderness' in Scotland. Big areas of hill, big areas of plantation forestry, big areas of boggy moss, but even all those are used by locals, sportsmen and other visitors alike, and those areas are not good foraging; not live on foraging. If you want to hunt or fish them you need permission, and since most of those are 'estates' which make a living from hunting/shooting/fishing, you'll be expected to pay for the privilege.
Foreshore fishing's a different thing, but no nets, no traps, etc., because those interfere with the fish going up the rivers to spawn.

Yes you can find remote enough areas that you can find quiet spaces, but you can't live there for long without either permissions or bringing in food. The original mesolithic peoples were small in number and they moved around from one area to another, and we believe very much within the seasonal round.
Our own population is near six million, and the tourist industry is big on numbers of visitors, especially to hills/lochs/rivers.

There's also the issue of when you intend to visit. In Winter we have 16 hours of dusk/dark. It makes for very long nights and very short days. Very short, cold, wet dark days.

Come for a visit, come to see and wander, but please don't depend on living off the land.

M

 

[Tengu]

Where did you get these odd ideas about Scotland from?

 

[Mesquite]

Maybe a bothie here or there but there has to be a part of Scotland than someone can theoretically disappear into and never be heard from or seen again, right?

Yes and sometimes they're found eventually...

Bushcrafter found dead in Scotland

 

[Toddy]

@ Mesquite

Good on you for posting that link. It's not only a timely reference but really informative by people who actually know and use the land here.

@Mhearadh.macleod

Please, if you do nothing else, please go and read that thread. It was someone who came north to do just what you have asked about, and how it very quickly went amiss.

M

 

[Mhearadh.macleod]

North Rona.

North Rona - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Sees about twenty bodies a year?

But trust me, coming home from a stay in Scotland, its BUSY. And the more remote you go, the more busy.

(Oh yeah, and those wild looking spots are entirely artificial).

I cant understand why you are coming from a country with some of the remotest places to a busy place like Scotland. But, given your forum name, maybe its cultural?

Apart from its a lovely place (and full of lovely people but if you are English or look like you might be English you will be teased no end). The only advantage of Scotland is the Wild Camping laws.

CANMORE will give you good maps to explore and prove just how much human activity there is in those `wild` places....

Map | Canmore

canmore.org.uk

I will probably regret sharing this later as many have bullied me for my mindset but in a nutshell, quality of life over piece of paper and opportunities (money and success).

It's 110% cultural. I usually refrain from telling people because people often find me weird or abnormal which leads to bullying (I blame my autism). I have had a pretty hard life but I have never let it get me down. I am proud to be Scottish (I know many won't agree with this because I wasn't born there but my family is Scottish and I identify as such). My entire life in America has been nothing but struggling, domestic abuse, my mum losing her life while going through cancer due to my father's abuse towards us and no one doing anything to protect me as a child. By my teens, people's interest of protection towards me began to fade as I grew older. As an adult, no one cares.

I was diagnosed autistic as a child and with PTSD after I escaped my abuser. Shortly before my mum passed away my only friend and brother like best friend was m*rdered....over 2 people wanting to date his girlfriend....yeah you read that right. People talk so highly of America but I shall not. I will refrain continuing forward with any political discussion as I am sure the mods would not like it. My point is I am wanting to leave society because it is just not for me. I am much happier being alone and have spent years trainging for this moment.

I do NOT see myself an American. I hold no sociological culture or resemblance besides my accent and my nationality which will be given up once I become a Scottish (UK) citizen. I speak, read and write Gaidhlig, play the pipes and am probably more educated on the history than most. I also dress, live and farm as if it is the 14th C. daily. This is my final goal/accomplishment for my life. I am a Scot and I don't care what anyone says.

My goal is to come to Scotland (I became a software engineer just to gain my citizenship (I am a front end dev) and:

OPTION A: buy a massive amount of land with my saved income and then farm like the 14th c. with a Celtic roundhouse, wooden barn, only speaking Gaidhlig (yes I am aware rarely anyone speaks this anymore which is fine), etc.

OPTION B: Disappear into the Scottish Hills/mountains never to be seen or heard from again. I have been taking survival classes for a long time and working on possibly becoming an instructor. I have dedicated my life to very few things which are very broad with little to no interaction with people. God, Survival Skills, Farming, Scottish Culture and History, Scotland Immigration and laws. While I am not that educated on a majority of laws, immigration is not entirely my weakest point.

Either way, Scotland will be my forever home very soon as I am currently planning my move and employment with a Tech Company as a front End Dev. (software engineer). I am in my 20s if anyone is curious to know my type of physique for capability purposes.

- EDIT FOR CLARIFICATION -
I will be taking a rural and harsh winter survival course soon. As a Mod said above many earlier settlers had to constantly move around due to the lack of ability to survive at one place. I do plan on going into society once a week to attend religious Mass and to get supplies. If I own my own land, I will dig a very deep hole which is to store food for winter. The key to survival is not worry about tomorrow but to worry about 3 months from the present day. If I do not have my own land then the key to survival would be preparing for weeks at a time with food. I could survive off of fish, small plants and the sea but this is too broad of a discussion of planning for just one comment.


I WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR, I won't do this until I know I am as skilled as an instructor (I am nearly there). In my personal beliefs, anything less would be taking my own life which goes against my religion. I have no friends and no family, this is my life's work and passion to have a greater quality of life. This is my true happiness and passion. The chances of me living to be elderly are slim to none because eventually something will happen (its inevitable). But my goal is to live as long as possible. We all have a clock that will stop ticking eventually. I refuse to be in hospital watching yesterday's news. Few are lucky enough to choose how they leave this world. I know many may not agree with me but that's okay. I love my passions and I am happy believe it or not. The majority of my life has been spent farming, hunting and fishing far away from society. There is no difference than a person fighting as hard as they can for their dreams and a happy life and mine.

 

[Mhearadh.macleod]

Yes and sometimes they're found eventually...

Bushcrafter found dead in Scotland

I know this is going to be frowned upon but respectfully, a true bushcrafter (meaning one that lives soley off the land and nothing else) is never meant to live till he/she is 90 (elderly). I rather not be found but if I am, it's the way I want to leave this world...not in hospital watching yesterday's news.

 

[Mhearadh.macleod]

@ Mesquite

Good on you for posting that link. It's not only a timely reference but really informative by people who actually know and use the land here.

@Mhearadh.macleod

Please, if you do nothing else, please go and read that thread. It was someone who came north to do just what you have asked about, and how it very quickly went amiss.

M

Thank you Mr. Todd and the person who shared that link. I have been taking professional survival classes for the past few years I want to live as long as I can. I will be well prepared. I know my time will never grow till I am elderly (it would be nice if I do) but I refuse to lie in hospital in my final days watching the news. I have printed off hundreds of maps and am constantly studying the weather patterns, geography and locations of Scotland. I will say I just recently started studying this so my knowledge is little to none but I am getting better each time.

 

[Toddy]

If you aren't a millionaire, you won't buy a lot of land in Scotland.

If you have a decent job, you can live very comfortably though, and internet is very good. The Scottish Govt. is pushing hard for remote areas to be as fast as urban ones.
So, you can probably do your job from pretty much any settlement, and some of those can be very small indeed, without a lot of bother.
Weekly mass might very much limit which settlements you are near though, if you have no transport. Public transport in rural areas is very limited, and in some the Sabbath is still firmly held and there are even fewer.
Gaelic is widely spoken within the Gaeltacht, and even in the lowlands you'll find speakers and schools. The BBC has a Gaelic news service.

Naidheachdan - BBC Naidheachdan

All the latest content about Naidheachdan from the BBC.

www.bbc.co.uk

Please do not come to Scotland to 'live wild'.

By all means come to Scotland to make a life, to make a living, to make a home and a place within whatever society suits.

People are people the world over, and they often bring their troubles and burdens with them regardless of where they go.
That's not always a kindness. It's most definitely not a kindness to accept that someone will have to find you dead. That's a cruel thing.

Also, I firmly advise that for all of your training and courses, etc., that if you do come across that you do a coastal foragers one, here.
It's a different world entirely.
I'm an archaeologist, and I can tell you without a shred of a doubt that our past was hungry. We have thousands of shell middens metres high and wide, and every shell gathered and eaten gives just one calorie. If people had access to so much food why did they gather millions of one calorie ones from icy cold waters beyond the fact that the shelled didn't run away from them ?
I have gathered baskets of cockles and winkles, and it is sore bitter, bitter cold work. It is not something people do unless they have to.
Nowadays access to other wild foods is restricted. You cannot hunt deer, take waterfowl, etc., on someone else's land. Here those are 'sporting' rights. In the past hunting was not always guaranteed successful....which is why when farming came in, it quickly took, and people settled.

While I mind; deep holes don't work to store food here, very few even modern houses have basements. It's too wet.
Instead people built cleeks and clamps. These are either airy stone built structures that allow cold winds to blow through (St. Kilda for instance) and keep meat, fish and fowl, and sometimes dairy produce, cold but dry-ish, or happed up with layers of vegetation to preserve root vegetables through Winter. You have to watch both for vermin though.
You can bury butter in bogs and it'll last though, but that implies that you have cattle and surplus milk.
The Britons on the chalklands of the South of the UK used pits to store grain, but different area and geology and climate entirely.

I hope you find contentment, a good life, but I think your approach is off course.
I think if you want to live as a 14th Century Scot (presumably Highlander) that you contact some of the reenactment groups with land and structures. Clanranald comes to mind.

Duncarron Medieval Fort

Duncarron Medieval Fort in Scotland

www.duncarron.com

We have a kind of In-phrase here.

"Bushcraft = chill out asap.
Survival = get the hell out asap."
Your bushcraft isn't our bushcraft at all.

The fellow who died on Rannoch Moor was apparently well trained, but climate, lack of food, and subsequent health issues, meant that for all his training, it wasn't enough.
We'd much prefer you didn't end up just another statistic.

M

 

[Tengu]

Thats a lot to take in.

I've come back from a summer in Scotland...I'm going back next year.

But that is because I have been offered a job; 450 miles from home but I can't say no.

I, too, have Autism. It's been trouble all my life but I have been working on my people skills to overcome it.

You cannot live without other people in Scotland.

Folk there are very friendly, and anyone who was too reserved might not be accepted. (And by your cultural interest it looks like you do want to blend in).

Also, dont look like you have escaped from `Outlander` They see too many of these people in Scotland, I have met them, the folk in kilts. They weep joyfully because they are in Scotland. They go on about their ancestors, and are a continual source of amused bewilderment.

(I dress as an Ancient Briton because that's my job to).

Thats me in the centre with my black gloves on. I'm part of the Tug-o-war team, it's my first Highland games.

You have to have good people skills to survive in the Iron Age.

(And a person of your age shouldnt talk about religion; we keep that to ourselves).