- This event has passed.
April 27 @ 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
£60
Whether you’re new to bushcraft or a veteran of the outdoors, let our experienced instructor guide you through key skills that our stone age ancestors would have relied upon; firelighting with flint and pyrite, using stone edged tools, working bone into useful items and purifying water. This special course is all set against the backdrop of the historically themed Park In The Past, site of the UK’s only full-size reconstructed Roman fort.
This one-day course is an immersion into the skills of our ancient past which is perfect for both beginners and those who already enjoy the outdoor lifestyle but want to take their knowledge of bushcraft further. You will gain a deepened connection to nature whilst experiencing how bushcraft skills have shaped us into where we are today. You will be introduced to a range of practical skills whilst connecting with your inner hunter-gatherer. These skills can then be taken for continued practise in your own time. For those of us who are already practised in “modern day” bushcraft skills, this course is a chance to experience a world without metal tools and familiar kit. Wherever you are on your journey into bushcraft we aim to bring your confidence and skillset forward to the next level.
Your tutor for this special course is primitive skills expert Billy Souter;
“Friction fire lighting, bone working, fibre and tanning are some of my favourite skills to learn. Using raw materials and turning them into something functional and beautiful is one of the magical experiences these skills offer. Whether it creating an ember from friction or hand stitching reindeer hides into a sleeping bag. These are the skills that take us back mentally and spiritually allowing us to gain a small incite into how our ancestors may have thought, experiencing their journey and problems they had to overcome.”
- Discover how our ancestors used natural materials for a range of tasks.
- Create fire the ancient way, using flint and iron pyrite.
- Use wild mushrooms to keep your fire spark glowing.
- Learn how to source natural tinders and kindling for firelighting.
- Craft with bone using stone tools.
- Boil water the stone age way using hot rocks.
- Enjoy wild teas foraged from plants around you.
- Learn how to identify key tree & plant species that can aid us in bushcraft.
- See the natural world through the eyes of our ancestors.
- Improve your health & well-being by reconnecting with nature.
Your Tutor: Billy Souter
“My passion for Bushcraft came to life in my mid teens and quickly led me venturing down the path of primitive living skills.”
“Having found my passion and decided I wanted to expand my knowledge and pass these skills on to others. Since this time I have trained with various incredible teachers within this field and have used these skills in different environments including Scandinavia, Europe and North America.”
“In recent years I have developed and provided engaging Bushcraft sessions at an Outdoor Centre and Public workshop events for Children, SEN groups, Adults and training to forest school providers. I now also work as a Guest Instructor for established schools and individuals teaching Primitive Living Skills.”
You can view more of Billy’s excellent work via his facebook page.
Skills you will learn
Over the course of the programme you will learn a range of skills, including…
Your day will begin with arrival at our woodland basecamp set amongst trees and wildflowers. From here Billy will introduce you to how our ancestors viewed the landscape. Then you will try your hand at a truly ancient technique of firelighting with flint and iron pyrite. This was used by Otzi the Ice Man over 5,000 years ago. You will gain an understanding in sourcing bracket fungi, isolating tremor layer and preparation and tinder bundle making.
You will take your spark to flame and then use your tinder nest to bring your stone age fires to life. At lunchtime we will sitting together around the campfire as humans have done for thousands of generations. With no kettles or billy cans to hand you will discover how our ancestors made water safe to drink by using hot
In the afternoon you will learn about our ancestors connection to bone tool making and the variety of bone tools and practical applications for this versatile material. You will learn about the structure of bone, cleaning/preparation methods of bone prior to use, splitting techniques, selecting the right bone for the desired tool and how to use flint and abrasive stones to shape bone into effective tools. You will have the choice to craft your own sewing needle or you can tackle a larger project, by making a harpoon. If tackling the harpoon, be aware that you will likely have to finish it in your own time.
Billy will also be displaying a selection of his primitive skills crafts to inspire you including; natural containers, natural cordage, bone tools and stone edge tools.
Book now
This course costs £60 per person and is open to adult learners aged 16 years and over. You can read our Event Terms & Conditions here.
