Mental Wellbeing - Combining learning with culture and herbalism in Scotland

Spend a week in Scotland and learn English through herbalism

I am always delighted to happen upon folk teaching herbalism and the varied medicinal uses of our native plants. There can never be too many people returning this ancient wisdom, which is key to our wellbeing. Coupled to this, I admire novel ways of relaying this fascinating information and when I came across Ruth’s approach it was just too good not to share so I invited her write a guest blog.

Who is Ruth Pringle?

Ruth Pringle is the principle English coach at Blue Noun English Language School in Perthshire, Scotland. Students visit her from all over the world to learn English, this is what she has to say…

What she does

“We offer weekly immersive English language courses for anyone wishing to learn English. Our unique approach is all about putting folks in different English-speaking contexts to practice their language skills through a wealth of activities and managed conversation. Our focus is on delivering memorable, professionally useful and personally empowering experiences.”

How she does it

It’s also about discovering Scottish culture, Crieff and the local landscape. After all, our students have chosen bonnie Scotland for a good reason and we like to take them off the beaten track. Blue Noun’s unique focus means her students really learn meaningful, relatable information in a way that will stick. Throughout the week Blue Noun teach them through series of different ‘lenses’ - and herbalism is one of their favourites. 

Location, location

“We take our English language learners to visit Claire Mullan (the Hedgerow Hippy)’s herb garden. Claire is based at ‘Camp 21,’ Cultybraggan’s historic POW Camp which in itself is thoroughly unique and very poignant. You can still feel the god-forsaken experience of a POW camp. By taking our student there we’re engaging them in an important historical site which has been recreated as a micro-business hub. For students who have an interest in visual culture, this itself is a remarkable visit.”

Life changing learning

“And within Cultybraggan, there’s Claire’s Herb Hut and garden. Claire has a staggering wealth of herbal knowledge which she relays with passion in the colourful surrounds of her garden.  At first view, it’s an abundant display of flowers and insects. By the time the students leave they are well versed in the medicinal properties of many of Scotland’s native plants. For some of our language learning guests this is a life-changing introduction to a new way of thinking about physical health and well-being.”

Herbalism culture share

“Our discussions with Claire encourage students with previous experience of herbalism to share their own traditions and knowledge. Interestingly, we find that the most of our international visitors have a much richer and open-minded knowledge of the subject than we typically do in the UK. FYI, we’re not trying to convert anyone to herbalism, just using this as an opportunity to practice English on topics they can use in conversation”. 

Common ground

“Herbalism as a topic is both rich in culture and sociology. We’ve had language guests who’ve shared foraged soup recipes, herbal tips for managing head colds, told us all how to pick nettles and their mushroom picking stories. We’ve enjoyed discussing the changing cultural attitudes towards herbalism, its eradication and its recent resurgence with branding though the pharmaceutical and beauty industries”. 

What you can expect

“In good weather, we light a little campfire and burn some wind-fallen wood and brew up herbal teas, tasting and reflecting on one of the plants that grow before us. This natural setting backdrop is hills and mountains and you can expect regular sightings of kites and buzzards. Learning something so useful in such a beautiful natural environment is so much more memorable.”

Final Word

I am sure you will agree this would be the perfect way to learn a new language, I always prefer to learn something practical I can use because there is only so much space in my brain. And, if you do find yourself wanting to learn a foreign language, there are lots of essential oils which can help to make your learning easier and your focus sharper. Read my blog on How to Improve Focus using Essential Oils. to learn more.

If you can’t get to Scotland and already speak English, I am available to teach you about our native herbs and medicinal plants in my Wild Superfoods Workshop or any of my Essential Oil Workshops.

Fancy trying it out…

For more information, visit Blue Noun English Language School 
For more about Claire Mullan and her herbalism, please visit here.
For more on Cultybraggan