Jackdaw Forest School

21/08/2026

Theres barely been time to stay up to date here with everything that has been happening over the summer! But for today I’m out at the Moray Pathways Childcare Network Event this morning at UHI Moray. Great to see a full room of providers, schools, early years settings, employers, community organisations, training providers, local and national partners. Looking forward to a great day!
Play Scotland OPAL Outdoor Play and Learning CIC Care and Learning Alliance Scottish Childminding Association

06/08/2026

We had such a great day again at this annual event! Lovely to see the event grow every year, and to see lots of new contributors too.

05/08/2026

Today is National Playday! Where will you play today? I’ll be at the beautiful Brodie Castle & Estate NTS , teaming up with the fabulous Elgin & District Men's Shed again to offer our play with tools experience session once again! Looking forward to seeing lots of lovely families enjoying this wonderful event! For more on have a look at this link:
https://www.playscotland.org/playday-2026/

25/07/2026

Delighted to have been asked to contribute to this session. As well as the Lego Challenge we had fun with the Helium Stick (if it’s meant to go down why was it seemingly levitating?!), some outdoor versions of Kim’s Game and a fantastic effort at the Blind Square! As well as plenty of the inevitable ‘banter’ there was real trust and respect between this team, which was a privilage to witness. Thank you for inviting me along, Forres Tree Services Ltd

23/07/2026

Does this sound like a young person you know? It will be a great few days!

I'm looking for two children in the Elgin/Moray area...

Children who'd rather be outside than in.

Who'd love trying circus skills.

Who'd enjoy learning survival skills.

Who'll come home muddy, tired and full of stories.

We've got just two places remaining on Wild Tribe next week at Westfield, near Elgin.

If that sounds like your child—or somebody you know—drop me a message or email or just comment below, your help would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

21/06/2026

Such a beautiful !

Saw this gorgeous ghost moth on the garden earlier and was just starting to learn more about it when…

In swooped a blackbird and took it off! 🫣. That is the only the second time I have been aware of watching a living thing being snatched away like that in front of my eyes and it’s never a nice thing to see 😕, although the circle of life and energy transfer is vital for maintaining balanced ecosystems. This was a little easier to stomach somehow than the duckling being carried away by the heron. Anyone watching the recent Spring Watch series has also been subject to lots of predatory behaviours! Nature is brutal, as well as beautiful!

So here is the beautiful ghost moth moments before its demise, and also a picture of the truly beautiful midnight sun, which nobody can take away!

Happy Solstice!

16/06/2026

A moment of stillness on an otherwise noisy and slightly wet commute in Glasgow. You truly never have to go far to find yourself in nature.

13/06/2026

Making my way to the North Scotland Garden Show today for a day of nature crafts in the family tent with partner-in-fun Lynne! Between us we’ll be offering a range of activities for all the family - saw, drill and decorate a ‘wood cookie’, make plant labels, create bug hotels and bird feeders and paint some colourful decorative pieces for your garden or outdoor space! We’ve even got nature weaving and painting with flowers!

Looking forward to a lovely day and look forward to seeing lots of visitors to the show.

13/06/2026

Well this is an exciting development! Natural History GCSE option now available, includes a minimum 20 hours out in the field.

Hope The Scottish Government are paying attention!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZegmJ-K_WK/?igsh=cnpjNGJsNjRrdHZj

11/06/2026

Such a great day of play at Hopeman Primary School for International Day of Play today. The school has worked really hard on developing play opportunities over the past couple of years, and it’s a joy to be able to go in and support what they are doing. This important day was embraced by the whole school community this year, with extended playtime for all children and a whole afternoon of play in classrooms too!

Well done , looking forward to continuing to work with you on your play journey!
Play Scotland Moray Council