Lughnasadh: Gathering First Fruits

Lughnasadh (1 August) is an ancient Celtic festival marking the beginning of harvest, often linked to Lugh the Celtic god of light or brightness. Traditionally, 1 August was the midpoint of a month-long festival sitting directly across from Imbolc on the turning wheel of the year.

Psychologically, this is a fitting time to think about generosity and gratitude in your life and your openness or receptivity to what life has to give, and of possibilities, or even to reflect in less ambitious ways on your journey into the year this far.

Through a series of nature connection explorations, contemplative walking, and conversation in a group, the day invites you to reflect on your life journey in relation to the tale of Lugh. Themes in the tale also invite us to reflect on Earth’s journey in this time of climate change and loss of nature.

Traditionally, Lughnasadh was often marked by climbing hills to pray and give thanks to nature for the first harvest, and to gather blaeberries and visit lakes and wells. In keeping with this tradition, our walk will take a circular route in the remote Harthope Valley. We will meet deep in the valley and walk alongside the Harthope Burn to Harthope Linn. From there we will walk up to Long Crags and Housey Crags and into Threestoneburn Wood, before descending to our starting point.

Practicalities

Place: We will gather near Langleeford in the Harthope Valley.

Walk difficulty: Moderate | Distance 5 miles approx.

Date/time: Saturday TBC | 10.00am to 4.00pm.

Fee: There is no fee for this exploration. Instead, you can buy trees at £6 each via the Healing Trees grove on Trees for Life, in lieu of the usual £50 workshop fee. Planting trees in this grove helps to rewild the Caledonian Forest. Currently, mainly Oak, Rowan, and Scots Pine are planted in the Carn na Caorach area of the Dundreggan Estate (grid ref. NH330187). This is near the Loch Ness and Glen Affric National Nature Reserve. When the area is fully planted new areas will be identified.