Burch burr hunting in Scotland

I have just returned from a trip to Scotland...

I met up with some of my carving and smithing friends and spent a week in the foothills of the Cairngorms.

We had a great time practising our bushcraft, but to be honest we spent a great deal of time sitting, carving and chatting...

John Arthur, Sean Mulhall and Chris Grant.

We did a little Birch burr hunting and came up with a few good examples...

Being a chap who usually spends time in mountains or moorland, I usually sleep on the ground. However on this trip my good friend Chris Grant lent me his hammock...

I had the most comfortable nights sleep. This hammock is super large, just right for a long fella like myself, and weighs next to nothing. Chris bought it from Lakelandbushcraft I will be calling them soon to place an order...

John Arthur snapping away whilst Chris heads into the forest.

We trekked in with all sorts of heavy equipment for a long stay, including our carving tools and a cast iron cooking pot...

We ate very well....

Tired after a long and busy day I prepared a grand supper of beef stew.
It went down well.
I think the lads were pleased they bought a good chef.
We also managed to fit in some time with Chris at his workshop...

So...Now I am back home in Devon. I have been working hard with a couple of jobs...

I have been carving a knife handle to fit a Grant utility blade for a friend of mine...

Here's how it should look...

And I have finished carving one of the burrs...

A departure from my normal style, I enjoyed carving this Kuksa very much...

And it will serve to remind me of a splendid time with good friends...

I have soaked it in Tung oil and will repeat the soakings until I am satisfied with the finish...

Hopefully I will get to visit again in the not too distant future...

Thanks Chris Grant for guiding us.
Sean for driving us.
And John Arthur ........
ENJOY...