We were successful in gaining funding from SSE Clyde Borders Windfarm fund (October 2025), to run three nature journaling programmes in Tweedsmuir, Skirling and Broughton in 2026. The Skirling programme (Feb-March 2026) is now complete. We have started the Tweedsmuir programme, but could do with some additional participants.
These hands-on courses guide you through the basics of watercolour and develop your skills week by week as we explore the beautiful landscapes of Upper Tweeddale together.
Each programme combines indoor learning with gentle outdoor walks to gather inspiration, take photographs, and sketch from nature. All materials are provided!
Course Locations & Dates (Choose any one).
Course 2 – Tweedsmuir Village Hall
2nd May – 13 Jun 2026 (10-2pm)
Exploring Fruid & Talla Reservoirs and the source of the Tweed.
( 8 places left – as of 2nd May 2026).
Course 3 – Broughton Village Hall
3 Oct – 14 Nov 2026 (10-1:30pm)
Walks to Broughtonknowe Community Woodland.
All sessions run 10am – 1:30pm.
(8 places left – as of 2nd May 2026).
Who can join?
• Adults 18+
• Must live in the Upper Tweeddale area (funding requirement).
You are allowed to attend if you live out-with the area, but need to contribute a one off fee of £30 towards art materials.
• Must be able to manage short walks (Weeks 3–8)
• Preference given to those who can commit to the full 8 weeks – the programme is progressive, with each week building on the last.
You can attend any of the three courses – you don’t need to choose the one nearest your village, as long as you live within the eligible area.
Places limited to 12 participants per programme.
What to expect:
• Weeks 1–2: Foundations of watercolour
• Weeks 3–8: Guided nature walks + developing your journaling practice
• Small group learning
• All resources supplied
• Taught by Pete Carthy – nature journalist and tutor, previously leading the Destination Tweed programme. POL – Professional of Outdoor Learning.
Please email pcarthy@instinctivelywild.co.uk or text/phone 07555445605 for a booking form.
Frequently asked questions:
Q. Is the course done outside?
A. We will go (Weeks 3-8) to either Broughtonknowe Community Woodland/Landscapes around Tweedsmuir for a wee walk to get photos of some aspect of nature. The photos will be used to paint back at the village hall. Only if the weather is warm enough i.e. 18+ degrees, not very windy/no rain, would the whole session be done outdoors. In April – June 2025 the Destination Tweed Nature Journaling programme, some sessions were done in the Wee Crook garden. At Broughtonknowe there is a yurt. It will just depend on what the weather forecast will be like at the time. Pete will notify you a few days ahead just to let you know.
A typical 10-1:30pm session would consist of:
Weeks 1-2
10-10:15 – tea/coffee on arrival
10:15-10:30 – opening round + discussion on the sessions learning.
10:30-1pm am Key skills of watercolour + including comfort breaks when you wish.
1-1:30pm Closing round and next steps for following weeks.
Weeks 3-8
10-10:15 – tea/coffee on arrival
10:15-10:30 – opening round + discussion on the sessions learning.
10:30-12 pm trip out to chosen site.
12 – 1pm Painting, including comfort breaks when you wish.
1-1:30pm Closing round and next steps for following weeks.
Q. I do not live in the area, but I only stay in Bigger/Byth Bridge, West Linton, Peebles areas. Can I attend?
A. Yes – you can attend – but you will need to make a £30 contribution to Instinctively Wild CIC, for art materials. It is only free to people that live in the geographical area of the fund.
Q. How do we get to the different sites – as I do not have a car?
A. I am asking on the booking form if people can drive and happy to give lifts. We would only need three cars in total to transport everyone to the different sites, myself included. I am sure it will not be an issue on the day, if it is we will make alternative arrangements.
Q. Can I bring my dog?
A. No unfortunately – most village halls do not allow dogs, plus we are going onto sites where there may be livestock.
The only exception is a guide dog.
Q. I would love to attend but I have child care responsibilities – can I bring my children with me?
A. You can – but you would need to be responsible for them throughout the sessions.
Q. I cannot attend all the sessions? Does that bar me from a place?
A. In an ideal world we would prefer it if people can try and do all eight sessions, certainly the first two as they are the building blocks for the following weeks. Life happens – we understand not everyone will be able to do all the sessions. We just wanted people to understand its a course, rather than drop in sessions. Best solution is to get in touch with Pete.
Q. Will there be resources? As I have no spare cash to buy anything.
A. Everything will be provided. You will not need to buy any art materials whatsoever.
Q. I would like my children to attend – but they are not 18+.
A. The parent/guardian will also have to attend – its not a supervised session, i.e. others adult participants coming on the programme have not been vetted – it is an open programme. To keep everyone safe – people coming on the course must be 18+ or they will need to be accompanied and supervised by a parent/guardian.
Myself and other team members from IW, have been throughly vetted however.
Q. I do have some mobility issues, I could manage the village hall bit, not sure about the walks though. Can I still attend?
A. Yes. I have folding seats which I can take with me if you need to have a sit down on the walk thats ok. The walks are to get a photograph, even at Talla Linns, we didn’t go far from where the cars where parked. Time is against us anyhow, we will not have time to go on a massive long walk.
If you have any other questions – please email/text.
Many thanks
Pete
Pete Carthy of Instinctively Wild invites you into a mindful, creative practice of creatively recording your relationship with nature through Nature Journaling.
It is both a personal and powerful way of documenting your relationship to nature, slowing you down and opening your senses to the world around you. Through drawing and writing in response to nature, participants begin connecting with nature on a deep level, noticing details, patterns, emotions, and stories that often go unseen in everyday life.
Our approach to creative nature journaling blends observation, reflection, and expression. Using nature art, nature painting, and creative sensory writing, you don’t need to be an artist—just curious. Inspired by nature artists and the freedom of artist journaling, each session encourages exploration through words, sketches, colour, texture, and mark-making. Your art journal book becomes a living record of experiences, thoughts, and seasonal change, enriched by sketches, pressed finds, written reflections, and even nature photos.
Nature journaling supports wellbeing, creativity, and connection, offering space to pause, reflect, and respond authentically to the natural world. Rooted in mindfulness and creativity, Instinctively Wild’s Nature Journaling programmes nurtures curiosity, self-expression, and a lasting relationship with nature—one page at a time.
Nature Journaling programmes.
Our nature journaling programmes are led byPete Carthy, who is an experienced visual artist and practising nature journalist. Pete has completed over a 1000 continuous days of nature journaling (1st Jan 2023 – Oct 2025). See the Peebleshire Newsarticle.
He was also interviewed by the BBC in 2024 regards his creative practice. See that interview –HERE.
Read our case studyon the Destination Tweed website.
In 2025 we ran our first nature journaling programme in Tweedsmuir, Scottish Borders with funding from Destination Tweed’s Community Grants Scheme, which is made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This took place from April – June 2025, with a group art show taking place in August 2025. Pete wrote an evaluation report for this programme, you can view it on Canva – click HEREto view it. Plus a film he made for the preview evening – see the IW Instagrampage.
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