View Full Version : Meetup in Scotland?
Hi,
Just wondering if any of the Scottish folk (particularly those in the Central Belt - Edinburgh, Glasgow, Borders etc) fancied getting together at some point - maybe just a day out in the countryside sharing skills etc?
Looking at the map, there are a fair few Bushcrafters living in these parts, and another fair few that could get somewhere central (such as Edinburgh/Fife/Borders) in an hour or so.
If anyone's up for this, or perhaps more importantly, if anyone has a few hundred acres of woodland to play in ;) please let us know!
MagiKelly
04-11-2004, 13:32
I would certainly be interested. Don't know the areas in the East at all. On this side of the country there is Loch Lomond area which can be good, with canoes or the like the islands are excellent. Locally I have acess to a nice woodland but it would depend on numbers (could not take too many).
So as I say, definately interested, even if it is for a meet in a pub or the like just for a chat
I'm planning to have a hoiday in the Glasgow/Loch Lommond area in the early spring (around about March) next year. any advice about good places to visit would be really appreciated!
MagiKelly
04-11-2004, 14:17
PM sent
Tantalus
04-11-2004, 14:40
I'm planning to have a hoiday in the Glasgow/Loch Lommond area in the early spring (around about March) next year.
careful your trossachs don't freeze :shock:
you could be in for all kinds of interesting weather in march
Tant
I've done the highlands in March before Tant - the last time I had a holiday (2001) and really enjoyed it!
Seen PM and responding to, John
Tantalus
04-11-2004, 15:48
yeah womble it's all possible
my folks house sits on the 250 m contour and the hills behind the house are 400 and 450 ish, just a hair south of the trossachs but further east
if there is snow going they get to know about it lol
even galashiels is warmer than there
about the meetup , i am definitely interested :super:
can't make tooooooo many promises at the moment though
Tant
Yeah - I've got no definite ideas - I just reckoned that with somewhere between 10-20 ppl in this area who might want to come (plus extras who are willing to travel :-) ) it would be nice to maybe have a day-long thing one weekend, say on a Saturday, where ppl can come together, discuss bushcraft stuff, myabe have some led workshoppy-type things (all very unofficial!) such as fire starting, building shelters, wild food foraging etc (maybe not this time of year so much ;) ) etc. and just generally put names to faces here...
As to where and when, thats a more difficult question - woodland is always good for foraging/fire-starting/shelter-building, when is also tricky - I'd obviously like it to be ASAP :) but its often easier and the weather more pleasant in spring/summer months (if only I'd found bushcraftuk last spring instead of this Autumn... :?:
This side of hogmanay I'm fairly committed to other things, but next year I'm game. Be warned, my bushcraft skills are virtually non-existent, I just like to walk in the woods. The view out my office (back bedroom) window is of Dumyat, I'm only a mile away from the Ochils.
For places to go play in, the trossachs national park is rather large! Pick anywhere from the start of the west-highland way to about halfway to aberdeen & you're looking at some stunning landscapes (admittedly also a lot of hillwalkers in peak times though). I believe there aren't too many restrictions over the Ochils either, but you can't fall over without someones dog sniffing at you (not that I mind dogs, a border collie shares our home), and there seem to be a lot of ramblers on the officially published walks.
i would defenatly be up for it if i knew when and were :wink:
Yes I'm up for it. Whether its a meet up in the pub, a day out, or a weekend camp.
Cheers
JFW
bothyman
05-11-2004, 15:46
I'm 200+ miles North of Edinburgh I am interested, but it all depends whereabouts it is?? :pack:
mmcniven
06-11-2004, 08:55
I am up for it, the sooner the better. Not that sure on where to go, Loch Lomond has been mentioned and there are quite a few good places around there. Would be up for some skill sharing, i am sure we all have some good tips to pass on to others. Even seeing the kit other people carry can always give good ideas.
Look forward to it.
Michael
stuart f
07-11-2004, 15:22
I would also be interested in a meetup as long as i can get the time off work.
mmcniven
13-12-2004, 13:28
Anyone interested in meeting up over the christmas and new year holidays ?....that is if you get some holidays during this period. An overnight camp would be good or even just a day in the woods sharing skills. :lol:
MagiKelly
13-12-2004, 14:11
I'm off from Christmas Eve for two weeks (Whoo Hoo!!!) so could probably manage but it will depend on dates as there are some dates pencilled in already
stuart f
13-12-2004, 14:54
Count me in as i,ve got 3 weeks off work, i would,nt mind staying out for a night either and learning some new skills and meeting some other like minded people.
i wouldnt mind either , the only thing is well not really were but if it has good transport links :-? and if transport runs at these times/dates
If someone came up with a date and a location, I could see about coming as well. :pack:
mmcniven
21-12-2004, 10:56
What about the 29th of December ? Nicely between christmas and new year. Location ? Mmmm well open to suggestions
stuart f
21-12-2004, 19:48
29th is ok for me. i,d invite you all down here but we,d have to go covert :bandit: as i.ve not got any land to practice on.
MagiKelly
21-12-2004, 22:17
Not sure if I am available yet but if I am we can meet at Loch Libo. It is a SWT reserve and I am the reserve convener so it is okay for us to play. Not really handy for public transport but okay for car. Also more suitable for us west coasters.
might manage over for the day, but don't think I'll manage an overnighter - would have to clear it with SWMBO and the kids.
JFW
mojofilter
22-12-2004, 13:13
I would like to come too, but am only off on the 27th and 28th, but I might be able to wangle something!
mmcniven
22-12-2004, 13:35
Well it would good if we can get as many as possible to come along, so it doesnt have to be that date, i guess a date when as many of us are free would be the best. Always open to suggestions, but dont know how best to organise this so everyone that wants to come can.......
What about posting the dates you are free and we will see if there is one date that suits everyone......or something along those lines......
My dates would be 27th, 28th,29th, 30th,2nd,3rd,4th
i could make nearly any day until the 10th but its just the transport basically
:-?
stuart f
22-12-2004, 18:48
I,ll go along with everyone else. No problems on the date front for me. Just hope it comes to fruition as i think it would be good to meet you all.
nice hawick u've got a good rugby team if i remember :biggthump
stuart f
22-12-2004, 20:20
Hi willie,rugby is not my thing but i know a few lads that play,i was up your way a few weeks ago working,i was in Huntly and Ellon.I also work in Banchory and further down the road at Braemar.
Anyway back on topic,hope to see you if we get something organised for a meet up.
MagiKelly
22-12-2004, 23:16
I am NOT available on the 27th 28th & 29th but all other dates are fine till the 10th January (at least at the moment). Although depending what is arranged and where I may be available for a while during the day on the 28th and 29th.
mmcniven
23-12-2004, 11:00
Posted this on the other thread about the scottish meet.
Right we need to get this sorted. What about meeting on the 3rd of january as it seems everyone is free that day ....hope i havent missed anyone out.......
Location - what about Tarbet at the junction with the old loch lomond road and the arrochar road there is that place where the petrol station used to be, from there we can make a choice of where to go.
Time - what about 9am.
Hope i am not being too forward in organising all this but i think it would be great to all get together and once we have this first one on the go it should be alot easier to get something happening every month.
Hope this is good for most
Michael
MagiKelly
23-12-2004, 11:16
Posted this on the other thread about the scottish meet.
Right we need to get this sorted. What about meeting on the 3rd of january as it seems everyone is free that day ....hope i havent missed anyone out.......
Location - what about Tarbet at the junction with the old loch lomond road and the arrochar road there is that place where the petrol station used to be, from there we can make a choice of where to go.
Time - what about 9am.
Hope i am not being too forward in organising all this but i think it would be great to all get together and once we have this first one on the go it should be alot easier to get something happening every month.
Hope this is good for most
Michael
I can make the 3rd and know roughly where you are talking about. (am I could make but others may want it later to allow for travelling time.
Also once we have numbers it would be a good idea to firm up what we are actually going to do. Even if it is just "get a fire going, make tea and chat" otherwise there could be a lot of standing about trying to decide what to do.
i would be up for it if i had a clue were the place is :?:
stuart f
23-12-2004, 15:23
i would be up for it if i had a clue were the place is :?:
Willie its at the north end of Loch Lomond.
Mmcniven,MagiKelly, the 3rd should be ok for me,thats if i,m not to jaded from all the :trink26: during the festivities :roll:.
mmcniven
23-12-2004, 18:48
I can make the 3rd and know roughly where you are talking about. (am I could make but others may want it later to allow for travelling time.
Good point about the time, i am a bit of an early risers. What do you recon 11 am or 12 am ?? what does everyone recon would be best, just thinking of the short daylight hours.
nope dont think ill be able to make it because of the distance from aberdeen :roll:
MagiKelly
23-12-2004, 21:28
Good point about the time, i am a bit of an early risers. What do you recon 11 am or 12 am ?? what does everyone recon would be best, just thinking of the short daylight hours.
See what those who sign up think. If it ends up as you Stuart and me we would be as well meeting at Loch Libo as we are all within a stones throw of it. It might be an idea to PM some of those from the BCUK map to let them know of the possable meeting.
Don't think I can make the 3rd but if I can I will make the effort to meet you guys - I'll keep an eye on this thread.
Cheers aqnd Merry Christmas
JFW
mojofilter
24-12-2004, 18:42
Willie its at the north end of Loch Lomond.
Mmcniven,MagiKelly, the 3rd should be ok for me,thats if i,m not to jaded from all the :trink26: during the festivities :roll:.
It is actually at the north end of Loch Long, and about halfway up Loch Lomond, but west a bit! :nana:
stuart f
25-12-2004, 21:25
oh well my navigation was always c**p :oops:
Any up date on meetup time and activities?
Might be able to manage afterall.
Cheers
JFW
mmcniven
28-12-2004, 22:10
Hi
Sorry i have been away from things the past couple of days. I think it all depends on who is going as to where we go, as for activities is anyone any good at flint knapping ? i have tried it a couple of times but havent quite got the hang of it yet, wouldnt mind watching someone that could do it ....
Michael
Im still swithering (great scots word ,that) if i can make it.a firm date/place could lessen the swither factor a bit...
mmcniven
29-12-2004, 08:42
My god this is harder to organise than i thought....... Well i think we should go with the Loch Lomond meet up if there is going to be more than just me, Magikelly and stuart. Unless everyone wants to meet at Magikelly`s Loch Libo which is certainly easier for me but maybe not for some others that want to go, correct me if i am wrong.
I think the best bet is if everyone that can make it on the day could send me a PM with the time they can make it, i will then post a definite time and place by the 1st of january. How does that sound ?
Michael
MagiKelly
29-12-2004, 10:13
And for those who have not looked back the suggested date is the 3rd January.
As for what to do I have never even tried flint knapping. To be honest I would not really class myself as particularly skilled at any Bushcraft activity.
I can make any time on the 3rd and pretty much any place within reason.
mmcniven
29-12-2004, 20:50
After i put the piece about wanting to learn flint knapping i thought it might be a bit of a tall order but you never know it might be worth a try by all that turns up, i have some flint and a general understanding of how to do it so it might be good for everyone to have a go, you never know someone might be a natural at it.
What about building a group shelter, i havent tried that and it would be good for sitting in if the weather is bad. Also after all the rain we have been having some alternative methods of fire lighting might be a real challenge.
Some tracking skills would be good.
MagiKelly
30-12-2004, 09:39
I like the idea of building shelter of some sort (either natural or Basha) then lighting a fire and getting a brew on. Given this will be the first time we meet it would be good to have time for proper introductions and chat.
I agree with you John, would be nice just to get to know one another over a brew and a blether.
PM sent to mmcniven along these lines last night, as he seems to be the one landed (volunteered) with initial coordination.
Cheers
JFW
typed in neilston web cam into google ( I cant send the link for some reason)pics and directions for loch libo-to be honest i thought loch libo was near loch sloy.Ive got the nav skills of stevie wonderwith a drink in him,and am unfeasibly proud of it
mmcniven
31-12-2004, 15:51
Right here is hopefully the final details for the Scottish Meetup on the 3rd of January :-P
Loch Libo at 11am for more information on Loch Libo, Magikelly kindly sent me the following links.
http://www.swt.org.uk/wildlife/popup_reserves/west/lochlibo.htm
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=243550&y=655650&z=0&sv=NS435556&st=5&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf
As far as activities we are planning to build some kind of shelter and have a brew up and chat, i thought it would also be nice to bring along some, or all, of our bushcraft kit for a kind of show and tell session, kit always interests me and i am sure we will all learn something from seeing what other people carry when out practicing bushcraft. Anything interesting or unusual.......
Hope to see you all there on the day.
Michael
mmcniven
01-01-2005, 09:34
Sorry i forgot to put this bit in about where to park at loch libo
The best place to park is on the A736. There is a lay-by about a 100 yards from the Rail Crossing.
MagiKelly
01-01-2005, 10:14
Sorry i forgot to put this bit in about where to park at loch libo
The best place to park is on the A736. There is a lay-by about a 100 yards from the Rail Crossing.
There are actually two lay-bys. You want the one nearer Paisley or the one with the green Landrover Defender parked on it :wink:
Trust me to start a thread, turn my back for a few weeks, and then discover that its all go :-)
I'd love to come out if I possibly can - I'm in Edinburgh at the moment but not back at work until the 6th, so the 3rd is doable.
I don't have a car at the moment, and so I was wondering if anyone knows whether it is possible to reach by publci transport? I'm guessing I could get a bus from Glasgow toward Stewarton, and get off somewhere near Loch Libo, but I'd like to know if there are definitely bus stops within a few miles of wherever people will be :-)
If anyone knows about this, please let me know - otherwise I'll try the bus station in Glasgow for details...
Also, how many people are likely to be there? And what will people be bringing with/showing/doing? If I'm there then bow drill fires, campfire cookery, wild plants and possibly shelter building (I'm a bit rusty at this ;) ) will be what I can offer.
Here's hoping I can come! :red:
MagiKelly
01-01-2005, 19:42
Match, PM sent
Thanks for all the PM's and offers of transport - however something else has unfortunately come up that I won't be able to get out of tomorrow :( - hope you guys all have a fantastic time - I look forward to hearing how it all goes - and hope to be able to have similar meetups with Scottish folk later on this year...
MagiKelly
02-01-2005, 22:53
Thanks for all the PM's and offers of transport - however something else has unfortunately come up that I won't be able to get out of tomorrow :( - hope you guys all have a fantastic time - I look forward to hearing how it all goes - and hope to be able to have similar meetups with Scottish folk later on this year...
And I had looked out my attempt at a bow drill too. Oh well maybe next time you can come and play.
stuart f
03-01-2005, 10:58
Sorry i could,nt make it as something cropped up here at home :roll:
please let us know how things went,hopefully i,ll can make the next one.
my apologies.
MagiKelly
03-01-2005, 18:44
It didn't rain!
You can imagine that came as a shock to us. Well in the end there were three of us but obviousley the best three. There was JFW, mmcniven and me.
The short summary is that I have soft office hands Mike has an axe obsession and JFW was not the beginner.
The longer story is............................ well longer. We met and after short introductions set off into the wood. Having found a suitable spot we set about making a shelter. mmcniven with his axe obsession and two axes (he had decided three was just silly) set about finding dry wood for a fire. With my soft office hands I set about bleeding from the cuts I got getting bracken for the shelter and JFW worked away at getting us sheltered from the elements. We had decided to construct the shelter to keep the wind from us but when complete the wind changed it's direction to foil our plan. Still it was a good shelter and I will post pictures when I get the chance.
Mike got the fire going without resorting to either hex tabs or meths, both of which were bing considered as plan "B". He even used a firesteel instead of a resorting to a match or lighter. For some reason the wood was not split as small as either JFW or I expected but perhaps Mike left the wrong axe at home.
So settled in we compared some kit and talked. It was good to find out that others share the same interests and that I am not really the only nutter. It is also good to know that I am not alone in taking to much kit. With my 5 cups and numerous other duplicate pieces of kit. It will be good to have some more meet ups and hopefully more will be able to make it.
Now for Mike and JFW things to remember. First the link for the wax for protecting knife blades. Second Mike you really have to post more pictures of your knifes they really are first class. JFW PM me your address and I will post the Tom Brown books for you to have a read at, no hurry for getting them back. And lastly Mike remember that you are going to be making me a sheath in a couple of months :wink:
So a good day and hopefully the first of many.
feck ,i wish id thrown a sickie and came-any pics?
MagiKelly
03-01-2005, 22:09
feck ,i wish id thrown a sickie and came-any pics?
Your wish is my command.
http://www.magikelly.co.uk/meetup_1.jpg
Mike has a go at shelter building before deciding that firewood is more his area. JFW makes a nice home for the bags. I take some pictures.
http://www.magikelly.co.uk/meetup_2.jpg
It's not much but we are getting there. JFW tinkers with the home for the bags and Mike hides. I take some pictures.
http://www.magikelly.co.uk/meetup_3.jpg
JFW and I have started some thatching. Mike works on the fire and I take some pictures.
http://www.magikelly.co.uk/meetup_4.jpg
All thatched now and Mike gets ready to light the fire and I take some pictures.
http://www.magikelly.co.uk/meetup_5.jpg
Time to make a brew, compare kit and chat while I take some pictures.
mmcniven
03-01-2005, 22:13
Yes i have to agree with Magikelly a great day all round. Helped by the fact the rain stayed away.
Have booked myself into the AA clinic in the morning (Axes Anonymous) hopefully they can sort out my axe obsession. Oh axes ..mmmmmmm :o):
I have recommended Magikelly go on a course of meths and sand paper for those office hands.
JFW had obviously been on that course and no help will be required there.
Look forward to the next outing
stuart f
03-01-2005, 22:20
looks like you all had a good day,p***ed off i missed it though.
let us know when theres going to be another one.
mojofilter
03-01-2005, 23:27
Glad you had a good time boys :biggthump I didnt get back from oban till today or I would have went too, oh well, always the next time!
Well guys,
just like to say that I really enjoyed myself today. It was great meeting you both.
MK I think you have some nice bits of kit - especially liked the Alan Blade Runt with kydex sheath. However mmcniven's collection of his home creations was stunning, some sweet blades there.
Was a little disapointed that mmcniven didn't use both the axes at the same time.....
I take back everything that I said about the paultry supply of firewood mmn - it was just right.
As for Magickelly's office boy hands I have to admit that he wasn't the only one that was bitten by the bracken - he was just first and sustained more cuts. He was, however, still able to astound the gathered crowd with his plaster enhanced performance of the elastic band trick, thanks very much for your gift of the carving knife, it was appreciated, PM on its way
Well done guys and here's to the next meetup.
Cheers
JFW
oh nearly forgot to remind you magikelly, don't forget to remind Mike about the new sheath/s he will be making you - just incase the 40 times you mentioned it were not enough.
mmcniven I agree with MK you should really post more pictures of your work - I'm sure everyone on here would appreciate the quality and craftsmanship that goes into your work.
Cheers
JFW
MagiKelly
04-01-2005, 11:11
oh nearly forgot to remind you magikelly, don't forget to remind Mike about the new sheath/s he will be making you - just incase the 40 times you mentioned it were not enough.
Don't worry JFW, I have not only reminded him by email but have also decided to get hime to make a sheath for the Runt for when I am not using the multi carry Kydex. It will give him a chance to practice, not that he needs it. Obviousley I will post pictures when it is finished.