Poisonous: Fly Agaric
Forestry Commission Scotland is running a one-day event this weekend (Saturday 18 September) near Fort William, to help people gain some knowledge, some experience and some confidence in gathering mushrooms in the wild.
Ruari Watt, with the Commission’s Lochaber team said, “Fungi are probably one of the best know wild harvest items. There are a lot of different types of fascinating fungi growing in woodlands each other but they all have their own unique properties.
“Every toadstool and mushroom is a miracle of nature: billions of spores are released from even a small wood and they are capable of travelling around the globe. Just a few settling on the right kind of habitat to allow them to grow.
“Some are delicious when cooked and others can kill you so it’s important to know what you are about. Our day out – with fungi enthusiast, Peter Simson – will help you sort your Penny Buns from your Chanterelles and know which are the Destroying Angels.
“By the end of the day you should have a pretty good grounding in the skills that will help you know which fungi to pick and which to leave well alone. You’ll also have an understanding of why you should only pick sparingly, taking enough only for personal consumption and leaving enough to keep the local habitat enriched.”
The day-long event costs £15 per adult and £5 for under-16s and includes the cost of the minibus hire that will take participants to the foraging site. The mini bus will leave from the Commission’s Torlundy office, which is just east of Fort William, at 10am.
Packed lunch and a basket for collecting your mushrooms are essential – and bring along your own fungi identification if you have one. Booking is required by phoning 01397 702184.