Bushcraft, ancestral skills and nature connection in the Cairngorms.
Bushcraft & Nature Experiences in the Cairngorms
Bushcraft means different things to different people. For some, it’s learning to safely use a knife, build a simple shelter or make natural cordage. For others, it’s a deeper experience of ancestral skills, fire craft, foraging, tracking and nature connection.
Our sessions are instructor-led and tailored to your group. They can be kept simple, relaxed and family-friendly, or developed into a more in-depth private experience exploring traditional woodland skills, ecology, wildlife and the landscape around us.
We’re based near Grantown-on-Spey, close to Aviemore, with access to woodland, our nature trail, riverside routes and outdoor areas that work well for families, schools, youth groups, adult groups and private bookings.
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Choose your session
Join an open calendar session for families and small groups, or request a private bushcraft or nature connection experience.
Families & Small Groups
Join an open bushcraft session from our calendar. This is ideal for families, couples, visitors to the Cairngorms, and smaller groups who want a relaxed, practical woodland experience.
Good for:
- Families with children aged around 8+
- Couples and small groups
- Visitors looking for a calmer outdoor activity
- People wanting an introduction to nature connection and woodland skills
Sessions may include knife skills, shelter ideas, natural cordage, willow crafts, a short nature walk and fire skills where conditions allow.
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Private Group Sessions
Book a private bushcraft or nature connection session for your group, either as a stand-alone activity or as part of a wider activity day at Cairngorms Activities.
Good for:
- Schools and residential groups
- Scouts, Guides and youth organisations
- Families wanting an exclusive session
- Adult groups, clubs and corporate teams
We can keep it simple or go deeper into fire, tools, shelters, tracking, foraging, natural crafts, ecology and ancestral skills.
Request a Private Bushcraft Session
Introduction to Bushcraft
Our open sessions are designed as a friendly introduction to practical bushcraft and nature connection. They work well for families and small groups who want to try something hands-on without committing to a full private day.
Depending on the group, season and weather, your instructor may include:
- Basic knife skills and safe tool use
- Simple whittling projects such as tent pegs
- Short nature trail walk and wildlife spotting
- Natural cordage, willow crafts or simple woodland making
- Basic shelter ideas, tarp set-ups and knots
- Fire-lighting techniques where conditions allow
The pace is relaxed, practical and adapted to suit the age and confidence of the group.
View Calendar Sessions
Tailored Bushcraft Experiences
Bushcraft does not need to follow a fixed programme. For private groups, your instructor can shape the session around your interests, age range, time available and the level of challenge you want.
Sessions can be basic and accessible or more advanced and in-depth, covering areas such as:
- Fire craft and ancient fire-lighting methods
- Knife, whittling and tool skills
- Nature connection, wildlife ID and animal tracking
- Foraging, edible plants and medicinal plant identification
- Natural crafts such as willow baskets and nettle cordage
- Shelter building, tarp systems and leave no trace thinking
Bushcraft also pairs naturally with archery, canoeing, SUP, Mini Highland Games or team challenges, helping create a balanced and varied activity day.
Include Bushcraft in an Activity Day
What can a session include?
Every session is shaped around the group, but these are some of the main areas we can explore.
Fire & Ancient Fire Lighting
Learn how to identify and use natural resources, find dry fuel in wet weather, understand which trees produce better firewood, and explore ancestral fire skills such as bow drill.
Longer sessions may include making bow drill sets for participants to keep.
Knife, Whittling & Tool Skills
Learn safe use of cutting tools, simple carving skills and useful woodland projects. Younger groups might whittle tent pegs, while more advanced groups can work towards more detailed carving projects.
Nature Connection & Tracking
Slow down and notice more. Sessions can include wildlife identification, animal tracks and signs, habitats, seasonal changes, edible and medicinal plants, and how local ecosystems interact.
Natural Crafts
Use natural materials to create useful everyday items. This might include willow baskets, nettle cordage, simple weaving, natural fibres or other woodland craft projects.
Shelter Building
Explore different ways to build natural shelters, use tarps and knots for overnight camping, and think about environmental awareness, woodland impact and leave no trace principles.
Campcraft & Outdoor Confidence
Build confidence outdoors through practical camp skills, problem solving, teamwork and simple techniques that help people feel more comfortable spending time in nature.
Bushcraft Immersion Day
A full day focused on bushcraft and nature connection, ideal for private groups of around 8 or more who want time to go deeper.
No two days need to be the same. Your instructor can build the day around the skills and themes that interest your group most, including:
- Fire craft, bow drill and natural tinder
- Knife skills, carving and useful camp items
- Shelter building and tarp systems
- Animal tracking, wildlife ID and nature awareness
- Foraging, edible plants and medicinal plant identification
- Natural crafts such as willow work and cordage
- Ecology, habitats and how ecosystems interact
This is the best option for groups wanting a more meaningful and in-depth woodland experience.
Plan a Bushcraft Immersion Day
Bushcraft in a National Park
Working within the Cairngorms National Park means every session responds to the landscape, weather and conditions on the day. This helps us protect the woodland while giving you an authentic experience that reflects the season.
Sometimes that may include fire skills. At other times, the best session may focus on tracking, shelters, crafts, plants, fungi, birds, riverside ecology or nature connection. Fire lighting and campfires cannot be guaranteed, but your instructor will always make sure the session remains practical, engaging and safe.
What to expect
On arrival
- Meet your instructor at our centre
- Head to our woodland area, nature trail or activity space
- Short briefing and safety chat
During the session
- Learn and practise hands-on outdoor skills
- Fires and tools used only where appropriate
- Content adapted to age, confidence and aims
Weather & comfort
- Works well in most weathers
- We use sheltered spots where needed
- Outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear recommended
Ready to book bushcraft?
Families and small groups can book directly from our calendar. Larger groups, schools and organisations can request a private bushcraft or nature connection session.
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Bushcraft – quick FAQs
Can families book bushcraft online?
Yes. Families, couples and small groups can book onto selected open bushcraft sessions through our online calendar.
Can groups book a private session?
Yes. Schools, youth groups, adult groups and larger private groups can request a private session using our enquiry form. We can keep it simple or build a more in-depth session around your aims.
Is this survival training?
No. It’s a relaxed outdoor skills and nature connection experience, not a survival scenario. You’ll be close to the centre and with an instructor at all times.
Do you always follow the same programme?
No. Every session is adapted to the group, weather, season and interests. A family session may be simple and playful, while a private group can request more advanced fire, tool, shelter, tracking, foraging or ecology content.
Will we light fires?
Fire lighting may form part of the session, but it cannot be guaranteed. Wildfire risk, weather and land management rules can restrict the use of open flames.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes – from around age 8+. Activities are chosen to match the group’s age and confidence, and everything is closely supervised.
Do we use knives or tools?
Sometimes. Tool use is age-dependent and introduced carefully, with clear safety rules and close supervision. Not every group will use tools.
Can we combine bushcraft with other activities?
Yes. It works well with archery, canoeing, SUP, Mini Highland Games or team challenges.
Weather
Come dressed for the weather conditions on the day of your activity.
Staff
All activities are guided by our experienced instructors.
Under 18's
Under 18’s need written parental consent before they can take part in an activity.
Get in Touch
Got a question? Get in touch with our booking office and we’ll be happy to help.