Courses and Retreats
Scotland's Wild Medicine Retreat
Highland Basecamp, Lochaline - 18th-22nd April 2024
"We're excited to bring our flagship retreat to beautiful Lochaline, home of Scotland's Wild Medicine.
Experience the power of the plants with Clare Holohan and be prepared to let go and get cold with Lilia Letigo Sinclair"
Click here for more details and to book
Food Preservation Skills
A collaboration with Lochaber Environmental Group:
2 Full day practical food preservation courses aimed at reducing food waste.
Kilchoan Community Centre: Saturday 23rd March
Drimnin Village Hall Sunday 24th March
Whitehouse Forage and Dine in Lochaline
Saturday 27th April 2024
email info@thewhitehouserestaurant.com or call 01967 421356 for more information and bookings
Scotland's Wild Medicine: Lynbreck Foraging
Join me, Clare Holohan with Lynne and Sandra at Lynbreck Croft for a fun day learning about wild plants.
9.30 to 4.30 on Saturday 27th July 2024. If demand is high the same course will run on Sunday 24th July 2023.
Foraging at The Lint Mill
I am delighted to be at The Lint Mill for two one-day courses this summer.
The dates are Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th June 2024. The cost is £95 and will include The Lint Mill’s customary hospitality with a delicious organic lunch inspired by foraged ingredients.
This course would also make a great gift for the nature lovers in your life.
Scotland's Wild Medicine Retreat
Highland Basecamp, Lochaline - 31st October- 4th November 2024
"We're excited to bring our flagship retreat to beautiful Lochaline, home of Scotland's Wild Medicine.
Experience the power of the plants with Clare Holohan and be prepared to let go and get cold with Lilia Letigo Sinclair"
Click here for more details and to book
Walks and Workshops
West Highland Herbal workshops offer a variety of fun, informal yet informative days where people of all ages and backgrounds can learn more about herbal medicine, foraging and holistic therapies in practice. All workshops can be tailored to suit the needs of the group and time scale it is intended for.
Clare holds an SVQ Level 6 in Delivering Training to Groups. She has been delivering talks to schools, groups and organisations since 2008. If your group is interested in finding out more about herbal medicine, foraging, gardening with herbs, massage or aromatherapy, do get in touch. Specific talks or workshops for schools or support groups can also be arranged. Clare is fully CRB checked and holds a full PVG. Check out our facebook page for upcoming workshops.
Herbal medicine walks
A guided walk suitable for people of all ages where you can identify and learn more about common wild plants, their medicinal action, historical use, folklore, harvesting and preparation. You will be amazed at how many useful plants can be found. Be it woodland, sea shore or meadow, we are sure to find a variety of interesting plants to meet and get to know. Hand outs are also provided.
Scheduled Herb walks also happen on a regular basis. To find out when the next walk is happening near you please visit our Facebook page, or sign up for our newsletter. To arrange a herb walk please contact us
Foraging walks and workshops
Clare combines her herbal knowledge with her experience as a chef in these hands on informative days. The day involves a guided walk, information on common wild edible plants, their medicinal action, food use, harvesting and preparation. An 'all hands on deck' lunch can be included in these workshops.
Oils and Vinegars
Oils and vinegars have been highly prized throughout the ages for their beneficial health giving properties. This workshop demonstrates how to make herbal infused oils and vinegars for home use. This includes Fire cider and the famous "Four Thieves Vinegar" which was said to be used during the times of the plague to boost immunity. Here's to warding off the Swine flu! All equipment, materials and handout are provided.
Using Local Plants for Health
The day begins with a local herb walk in which we find and identify medicinal plants growing in the area. This is followed by a practical medicine making session. The medicines made on the day will depend on the time of year and what we can gather during the herb walk. This popular course can be run between April and early October, or for a more in depth look at your local fauna and it's health benefits, 4 sessions can be organised for your group throughout the growing year.
Ointment making workshops
A hands on and instructive course in how to make ointments and lip balms from a variety of raw ingredients which may help to treat or provide relief from certain conditions. You will be shown how to make ointments and balms using plant oils, beeswax and essential oils. Make one for yourself, or they make unique and personalised gifts! All equipment and materials are provided.
Kitchen remedies
This workshop is designed to provide you with a basic herbal first aid kit which you can keep well stocked with preparations easily made in your home. Be prepared to get practical as you learn how to make cough syrups, indigestion tablets, burn gel, drawing ointment for splinters, a soothing ointment for bites and stings, sprains and strains ointment. All materials are provided including a handout containing recipes and information. This is a full day event.
Medicinal Cookery
A follow up course from Health and well being, it's time to get practical and get cooking with herbs and healthy ingredients. These recipes are designed to provide optimum nutrition and are useful in the prevention and treatment of various health conditions. Includes use of foraged and seasonal ingredients as well as an introduction to fermented foods.
Seasonal remedies
Winter wellness or Spring detox? Clare can tailor a workshop to the changing seasons and your group's needs.
Health and Well being with Herbs
Herbs can play a vital part in keeping well and illness free in day to day life. This half day or evening workshop gives tips and pointers for using herbs in the home and in cooking to help maintain optimum health and prevent dis-ease. Lots of fun recipe ideas and tasty snacks are provided throughout this informal and interactive workshop.
Make your own natural body care
Learn how to make a selection of earth aware body care either for your own use or for personalised and thoughtful gifts. Depending on the length of the course selected, the workshop will cover a variety of products, for example bath melts, body scrub, lip balms, deodorant, toothpaste and herbal soaps.
How Herbs Work: Constituents and Energetics
Hot or cold? Damp or dry? Herbs work on an physical as well as energetic level. Clare was trained in the energetic way as well as in complex plant chemistry. This course involves a look at the history of how plants are perceived to act in the body, combined with modern plant chemistry. You will gain first hand experiences of some herbal examples, through tastings and experiential personal research.
Please contact us for a quote for any of the above workshops, or to tailor make your own.