Where are the Scottish morels this spring?

That is a question I have been thinking for a few days now, and I have the answer. The snow and the cold, even the daffs are struggling after the worst winter in 20 years. I was picking Morels on the 10^th of April last year.

 

But just headed down to my secret morel patch near Killiecrankie....soon to be part of the Cairngorms National Park...which is great news, as we need some broad leave forest in the Cairngorms National Park.

 

And guess what? They are growing; they are only a 1cm or 2cm and should be ready in 7 days. That’s nearly 2 weeks later than last year.  That snow and cold really does have some significance impacts on the ecology. Let’s hope we have a good cep season and cold has not affected them.

 

If you attempt to find morels – or any wild fungi – do so with a guide and experienced mushroom hunter. However, once you see what a morel looks like, you will never get confused, even  a “false morel.”...it’s called a false morel, but you would need to be as “mad as a hatter” to get them confused.  Anyway most books say the false morel are poisonous, if not deadly, my dear Swiss friend Miggi who passed way last year, picked these very year, boiled them before use and feed them to the locals.  It did them no harm, in fact they were delicious. Although, Miggi was great cook and could make anything taste lovely.

 

You might not find a single morel after hours of hunting, but under that next tree or next to a small stream; you might hit the mother load. That’s why you should keep on looking and why I love fungi hunting.

 

So, like experienced mushrooms hunters will tell you, keep on looking because should you start finding those great tasting fungi, it is worth all the time and effort. You’ll never forget the location!

 

If you really want a helping hand, contact me, Cameron at www.Cairngorms-Park.com and I may be able to hook up with you and give you some tips.....

 

Anyway it’s time for wine; I’ll blog and post my photos of my morel haul next week.....it’s great to have the shrooms back!

 

Oh did I mention my new site www.Cairngorms-Park.com is now live.....it’s making headlines!