Wild Medicine, Wellness & Workshops
- Jun 18
- 6 min read
As we hurtle towards the summer solstice, the tipping point of the year, here's a recap of what's going on and what's to come at West Highland Herbal.
Our logo (above) has been updated and modernised by the multi-talented Ben Reid-Howells. When I originally had the idea for our logo over 15 years ago, I wanted to convey the aspects of everything West Highland Herbal stands for. Growing food and medicine plants, nourishing the soil (both our own bodies and our earth), foraging, the hands on approach and massage, all contained in the droplet shape to represent liquid medicine making. Ben has given the logo a new lease of life and added a real image of my own hands! What do you think?
Dates for your diaries: Upcoming Workshops
It's been a busy spring and summer in the garden and we have been focussing on getting our book Scotland's Wild Medicine stocked more widely this year. I'll be popping up all over the country working with groups and the public to promote the book and weave herbalism and foraging into your life. Here's a quick look at my upcoming public courses for Summer and Autumn:
Solas Festival
Herb walk as part of the 'Rest and be Thankful' festival wellbeing area. We will also have a stall at the festival selling books and herbal goodies!
Friday 19th June -> Sunday 21st June
Kilmallie Community Centre
Herbal Creams, balms and ointments
Friday 26th June
Autumnal Immunity
Saturday 24th October
contact kilmalliecf@gmail.com for more info and bookings
Scotland's Wild Medicine
In collaboration with Wild Callander Shop
Sunday 28th June
Lynbreck Croft Foraging: Near Grantown
Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July, FULLY BOOKED.
Wait list: Email: hello@lynbreckcroft.co.uk
The Whitehouse Restaurant - A taste of Wild Morvern
Foraging, cookery demo and gourmet lunch
In collaboration with Morvern Games and Gala week.
Wednesday 22nd July
&
Saturday 26th September
Bookings: info@thewhitehouserestaurant.co.uk
Nevis Landscape Partnership: Seaweed Foraging course
Thursday 13th August, meet Achnaha Community woods, Morvern. More details to follow...
Herbal medicine walk location TBC
Sunday 27th September
Hope to see you on a course this year!
*Important!* Working Away Dates
Please note that I will be working away from Friday 12th June until Monday 22nd June and from Friday 21st August until Tuesday 1st September and therefore am unable to dispense herbal medications during this time.
If you are currently taking herbal medicine from me, please ensure you order adequate medication in plenty of time to last you for the duration of my trips. I would hate for there to be a delay in getting medication to anyone.
Scotland's Wild Medicine Workshop
Reconnecting with nature for health and wellbeing. Step into the wild landscapes of Scotland and reconnect with the ancient art of natural healing with herbs.
Guided by experienced herbalist, Clare Holohan in collaboration with Wild, you’ll learn to identify native medicinal plants, craft your own wild medicine, and explore the deep connection between land, body, and wellbeing.
This immersive hands-on workshop includes: Guided wild plant walks in beautiful Scottish terrain Practical medicine making session using local herbs gathered on the day Discussions on traditional and modern herbal practices Shared pot-luck meal, reflection, and community connection Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned herbal enthusiast, this is an unforgettable journey into Scotland’s living apothecary.
📅 Upcoming Date: Sunday 28th June 10am-1pm
📍 Location: Wild, 6 Cross Street, Callander
💚 Booking: Spaces are limited: book here
Come gather the knowledge of the wild and discover the healing power of nature as teacher.
Herb of the Season: Yarrow
Botanical name: Achillea millefolium
Gaelic names: lus na fola, lus chasgadh na fala, Earr-thalmhainn, cathair thalmainn
Plant family: Asteraceae
Parts used: Flowers and leaves
You may have noticed the feathery leaves of yarrow poking through in waysides and meadows recently. I sometimes joke on herb walks that Yarrow is “good for everything”. It really has such a wide range of actions. Achilles was said to have used yarrow to heal the wounds of his soldiers, reflecting my favourite first aid use for the fresh plant: to stop bleeding and gently reduce risk of infection. In Gaelic it is called lus na fola (blood plant) and lus chasgadh na fala (plant that staunches bleeding). Further south it was called nosebleed, either because it was used for stopping nosebleeds. Yarrow’s main action is to move the blood; thereby affecting all parts of the body that blood reaches, which of course, is all of our tissues, hence the wide range of actions. I choose this plant when I want a circulatory stimulant with a cooling, rather than heating action. Yarrow tones and reduces inflammation in the veins, especially the essential oil, so can be useful in the treatment of bruising, varicose veins, haemorrhoids or phlebitis (inflamed veins).
Warrior Queen
Yarrow is a strengthening warrior herb for women, helping to reduce uterine bleeding and relieve menstrual cramps. In fact it can be applied to a wide range of gynaecological problems and has been used this way for centuries. This is reflected by it’s rulership by Venus in traditional Western Herbalism. Venus brings balance and harmony, and we see this in Yarrow’s ability to balance the circulation and regulate menstrual function. It’s bitter taste stimulates digestive juices and improves digestive function. Chemically, Yarrow flowers contain similar essential oils to chamomile, that wonderfully soothing, anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory digestive herb. Unsurprisingly Yarrow shows these characteristics too.
It’s association with the planet Venus also extends to love, yarrow is used magically in love potions and rituals, and many traditional rhymes associating yarrow with true love come from all over Scotland. In rituals, Yarrow was said to show you the person whom you would marry in your dreams. The stalks were also used in ritual when consulting the Chinese book of wisdom, the I Ching.
Love, battles and bleeding, a powerful mix indeed! This is not a herb that stands still, not as prickly as nettle but feisty and headstrong nonetheless. Emotionally Yarrow helps us to heal old wounds. Yarrow teaches us to stand up for ourselves and for others, never to tolerate injustice. Like this plant moves the blood, the fluid of the heart around the body, Yarrow helps us to spread the healing energy of love to all we touch.
Photo: Eilidh Cameron
Words by Clare Holohan from: Scotland's Wild Medicine by Lilia Sinclair and Clare Holohan
Scottish Wild Food Festival
Have you got your ticket for the Scottish Wild Food festival yet? It's back for Autumn 2026 for it's FINAL year and I will be there running a stall and leading a workshop making . Set in the spectacular surroundings of Tir na nOg, the Scottish Wild Food Festival provides a feast of wild food. The festival encourages people of all ages to step outdoors and learn about local wild food. With dining experiences, foraging walks, wild cocktail making, bushcraft, talks and demos, workshops, live music and a marketplace there really is something for everyone to get their teeth into!
Highland helpers
Summer herbal helpers is coming soon! Thursday 2nd July kicks off my volunteer week in the herb garden which, despite the often damp weather is always fantastic. Places are now taken for Summer with a reserve list. Autumn herbal helpers is from 1st-5th October, and is also full but get yourself in the cancellation list in case places become available!
Please get in touch if you would like to join me for Autumn herbal helpers or you would like to volunteer next year.
Appointments with Clare
My herbal medicine consultation work is mostly from home, online or over the phone. I offer face to face consultations in Lochaline and Fort William, however I continue to offer remote consultations.
I am currently offering face to face herbal medicine appointments several days a week in Lochaline, or once a month in Fort William. I offer massage and aromatherapy appointments from Lochaline only.
Many patients enjoy the trip into the 'wilderness' of Lochaline and see it as part of the therapeutic experience.
You can now book online with me through the appointments section on my website.
Upcoming Clinics
Face to face herbal medicine appointments available weekly in Lochaline or monthly in Fort William on the following dates:
Friday 10th July
Monday 27th July
Monday 7th September
Monday 28th September
Monday 26th October
Online video appointments available weekly
Massage and Aromatherapy appointments available weekly in Lochaline only.
To book in Fort William call 01397 702257 or email: info@lochaberclinic.co.uk
Community Herbalism Course
My herbal friends at Grass Roots Remedies are now taking bookings for their Community Herbalism Course
The course is offered on a sliding scale with a small number of very subsidised spaces
Book before the end of June 2026 for the option to pay in 6 instalments rather than the usual 3 instalments. West Highland Herbal subscribers who book before the end of June 2026 also get free access to the introductory online course Kitchen Herbal Medicine (RRP £75) - after booking, just email hello@grassrootsremedies.co.uk with the subject line: WHHOffer June 26 and they’ll send you a link for a free space.
