We Are Climavore

01/09/2026

𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝘅 𝗦𝗸𝘆𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹

The sun didn't shine, but that didn't put off over 30 foragers who joined us and Lucy Cooke, aka The Wild Cooke, for two inspiring walks along the shoreline near Armadale recently as part of the South Skye Nature Festival

Lucy's incredible knowledge led us through the many uses of the linden tree – bark for string, leaves for salads, flowers for drinks, and even seeds as a chocolate replacement (with the heavily caveated warning that it's nothing like your favourite brand!).

We discovered ribwort plantain and its many uses, especially for those pesky midge bites; silverweed, whose roots contain more fibre than a potato; gutweed as a salt replacement; and also sea plantain, sea arrowgrass, scurvy grass, dock, curly dock and sea aster – all growing within this small stretch of coastline. And who knew that rosebay willowherb, which grows in abundance across Skye, can be transformed into a traditional Russian black tea known as Ivan Chai or Koporye tea?

Lucy emphasised how important it is to know the dangerous plants as well as the edible ones. We saw foxglove in different stages, where every part of the plant is poisonous, and one of the most toxic plants in the UK, hemlock water-dropwort, which can rapidly cause muscle paralysis and asphyxiation.

The term "sardonic smile" is thought to originate from ancient uses of hemlock water-dropwort in Sardinia. The plant's powerful toxins cause intense muscle spasms, pulling the facial muscles into a fixed grin – a reminder that while our coastlines are full of incredible foods, they also demand knowledge, respect and care alongside the environment in which they grow.

It was wonderful to be part of the first South Skye Nature Festival alongside other organisations, groups and people doing wonderful work. Thank you to Lucy for sharing her wealth of knowledge and reminding us just how much there is to discover on Skye's shores. And always remember to check before you eat what you forage; you may only be able to eat certain parts of a plant or prepare it in a specific way.

Keep an eye on our page for more opportunities to explore Skye's coastline together.

27/08/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲?

Once again in Skye, questions over land ownership rights have been raised, but this time concerning the Glenelg - Kylerhea ferry. And due to its very nature, it also highlights long-standing questions about who has the right to control access to Scotland’s foreshore and seabed.

The turntable ferry is a unique historic connection between the mainland and Skye. Since the service became a Community Interest Company, the Isle of Skye Ferry CIC has been required to pay a fee to exercise ferry rights held by the current private landowner on the Skye side; currently 5% of its gross annual turnover, with a minimum payment linked to the previous year’s payment.
As Andy Wightman has highlighted in his excellent blog on the subject, this is not simply a story about a ferry. It exposes an outdated system of rights and ownership that continues to shape who can use Scotland’s coast, and on what terms.

More than two decades ago, the Scottish Law Commission recommended modernising the law around the foreshore and seabed, including strengthening public rights. Yet these recommendations have still not been implemented.
The foreshore is a liminal space: neither always land nor sea, but a place of movement, work, food, transport, recreation and diverse ecological life. It is also increasingly important as we respond to climate change.

We believe these spaces should be accessible and usable in ways that serve communities and support ecological regeneration - not governed by inherited rights.
It’s time for stories like this to become the relics of the past and for us to modernise Scotland’s relationship with its foreshore for future coastal inhabitants.

Read Andy Wightman’s analysis of the Glenelg–Kylerhea ferry and ferry rights here:

https://bit.ly/4qpulch

27/08/2026

🦪🦪🦪 It's happening - we're accelerating geology!! 🪨🪨🪨
Earlier this week was our first day in the workshop experimenting with our new piece of kit - a bespoke die designed by Skye Mobile Welder - Roy Buckner.

With our long-term collaborator, Joel Franklyn of Skye Stone Studio, we whipped up a number of tests with exciting results.

Accelerating Geology brings together a diverse group of collaborators to develop carbon-negative building materials from waste seashells in Skye, incorporating local historic practices.
🦪🦪🦪

Thanks to our funders UK Research and Innovation Crown Estate Scotland's Community Capacity Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise Innovation Fund.

31/07/2026

Yesterday we went in search of ancient shells used as a building material at St Columba's Isle, which sits in the Snizort River in Skye. In Aite Adhlaic Mhic Neacail (Nicolson's Aisle mortuary chapel) we found beautiful examples within the shell mortar. Do you know of any other buildings in Skye or Raasay where we can find examples of shells being used as a building material?

Big thanks to Rosie Somerville for this tip off 🐚🐚🐚

27/07/2026

The sun didn't shine, but that didn't put off over 30 foragers who joined us and Lucy Cooke, aka The Wild Cooke, for two inspiring walks along the shoreline near Armadale yesterday as part of the South Skye Nature Festival 🌱

Lucy's incredible knowledge led us through the many uses of the linden (lime) tree – bark for making string, leaves for salads, flowers for drinks, and even seeds as a chocolate replacement (with the heavily caveated warning that it's nothing like your favourite brand!).

We discovered ribwort plantain and its many uses, especially for those pesky midge bites; silverweed, whose roots contain more fibre than a potato; gutweed as a salt replacement; and not to mention sea plantain, sea arrowgrass, scurvy grass, dock, curly dock and sea aster – all growing within this small stretch of coastline. And who knew that rosebay willowherb, which grows in abundance across Skye, can be transformed into a traditional Russian black tea known as Ivan Chai, or Koporye tea?

Lucy also emphasised how important it is to know the dangerous plants as well as the edible ones. We saw foxglove in different stages, where every part of the plant is poisonous and can affect heart rhythms. And one of the most toxic plants in the UK – possibly Europe – hemlock water-dropwort, which can rapidly cause muscle paralysis and asphyxiation. This was on the shoreline and along the roadside.

The term "sardonic smile" is thought to originate from the ancient use of hemlock water-dropwort in Sardinia. The plant's powerful toxins cause intense muscle spasms, pulling the facial muscles into a fixed grin – a reminder that while our coastlines are full of incredible foods, they also demand knowledge, respect and care alongside the environment in which they grow.

It was wonderful to be part of the first South Skye Nature Festival alongside other organisations, groups and people doing wonderful work. And a huge thanks to Lucy for sharing her wealth of knowledge and reminding us just how much there is to discover on Skye's shores. And always remember to check before you eat what you forage, you may only be able to eat certain parts of a plant or prepare it in a specific way.

Keep an eye on our page for more opportunities to explore Skye's coastline together 💚🩵🌿🌱☘️🍂🍄🍄‍🟫🪸🌊

20/07/2026

There are still a few spots left on Lucy Cooke aka The Wild Cooke's foraging workshops this weekend as part of South Skye Nature Festival's inaugural lineup!

Sign up to learn more about what edible delights grow on our shoreline and in our woodland, from wasabi-like scurvy grass to the truffle of the sea and much more...

🌱🪸🐚🍄‍🟫🍄🦪

Two walks >> 10.30am and 12.30pm

Book via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/south-skye-nature-festival-climavore-foraging-walk-tickets-1988332965424?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/07/2026

🌿🍄🌊 We are excited to be part of a fantastic lineup of South Skye Nature Festival! Want to know more about what is edible on the shores and the woods of Skye, then join forager Lucy Cooke on Saturday 26th July!

We’ll discover what nature has to offer, reflect on our relationship with the natural world, and explore why rebuilding a more reciprocal connection with the land and sea is so important.

All the details and booking: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/south-skye-nature-festival-climavore-foraging-walk-tickets-1988332965424?aff=oddtdtcreator 🌿🍄🌊

30/06/2026

"Anybody can be a landlord, without knowledge, or conscience, or good intent. All he needs is money."

This fascinating film is worth a watch - especially through today's debates about land, sea, resources, rewilding, biodiversity loss and private ownership. How much has really changed?

In 1980 the BBC commissioned the late Chris Brasher CBE to make a documentary entitled 'The New Lords of the Isles'.

This was an fascinating and at times alarming insight into land management of the Highlands and Islands bringing it up to date and featuring Raasay, Waternish, Strathaird and south Skye. Brasher gets to the heart of the real issues including foreign ownership, broken promises and the landlords who saw a way to make a quick buck.

This is the story from 45 years ago and thanks are due to the BBC for exposing what had gone on for hundreds of years, the new lords of the isles, and thanks, in part to Andy Wightman, Community Land Scotland, the Scottish Land Commission and community groups across the country what is happening today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdoM6yUayDc

BBC ALBA Community Land Scotland @



https://andywightman.scot/category/who-owns-scotland/

15/06/2026

There are just a few days left to consider joining our board! We are specifically keen to hear from local candidates, or those with connections to the area.

If you are interested, get in touch with any questions. To apply simply send a short covering letter outlining your interest and any relevant experience to [email protected].

We appreciate that volunteer fatigue is particularly prevalent here, and we aim to create a flexible and supportive environment for people whatever their other commitments 🩵