Family Bushcraft Day – Vogrie Country Park, Near Edinburgh

Spend a day outdoors with your family learning bushcraft skills, cooking over a fire, and creating shelters in the woods. This experience is designed for all ages and abilities, giving everyone the chance to connect with nature and spend quality time together. With guidance throughout the day, you’ll leave with new skills, shared memories, and plenty of stories to take home.

Key Details

• Duration: Full day
• Group size: 2–12 people
• Location: Vogrie Country Park, Gorebridge, EH23 4NU
• Age: No minimum age
• Equipment: All provided

What to Expect

The day begins with a warm welcome at basecamp, set in the woodlands of Vogrie Country Park. Once settled in, you’ll get to know the tools and techniques needed to work safely in the outdoors. The morning is spent gaining confidence with knives, saws, and axes, and then moving on to one of the most essential bushcraft skills—firelighting. You’ll try out different methods and use your success to prepare a fire for the group’s lunch.

Lunch is a shared experience cooked by the fire, where you’ll be able to prepare your own campfire treats. This relaxed break is as much about connecting with each other as it is about food, giving everyone a chance to recharge before the afternoon’s activities. The setting makes it easy for children and adults alike to join in, helping to create lasting memories in the outdoors.

The afternoon focuses on putting skills into practice. Together you’ll build shelters, explore water collection and filtration, and even learn how to purify water for hot drinks in the woods. Once the practical skills are complete, there’s time for creativity—making tools and projects that would support life at camp. The day finishes back at the fire, reflecting on what you’ve achieved, with the chance to look back at photos and videos of your outdoor adventure.

Location

The session takes place in Vogrie Country Park in Gorebridge, a large woodland estate set around a Victorian country house. The park offers over 11 miles of countryside paths, a café, children’s play facilities, and even a miniature railway, making it a great destination for families.

The basecamp itself is tucked within the woodland, providing a peaceful and authentic setting for learning bushcraft skills. Easily accessible from Edinburgh and the surrounding areas, the park provides both convenience and a sense of escape into nature.

Prerequisites

No previous outdoor experience is needed to take part. The session is designed for families of all ages, ensuring that everyone from young children to grandparents can enjoy the activities together.

All equipment is provided, and activities are tailored to suit the group’s abilities. Just bring suitable outdoor clothing and a willingness to get hands-on with nature.

Why Choose Us

The centre is run by passionate outdoor leaders with backgrounds in bushcraft, survival, and outdoor education. Every session is carefully planned to be inclusive, engaging, and packed with practical learning.

With a focus on helping people reconnect with nature, the centre aims to inspire families to value and enjoy the outdoors together. By combining professional expertise with a love for the wild, each experience is designed to build confidence, strengthen bonds, and create memories that last.