Alaria CIC

18/06/2026

Breaking news from Glengavel Reservoir…

We appear to have interrupted an important committee meeting this evening.

Agenda items included:
• Quality of the grass this week 🌱
• Whether the humans are likely to bring carrots 🥕
• The ongoing dispute about who gets the best spot by the wall 🐇

Unfortunately, the meeting was adjourned when a large human appeared at the window with a camera 🤣.

Sometimes the best wildlife encounters are the ones right outside the window. ❤️

🐰🌿

16/06/2026

What a gorgeous finish to this term's Tuesday morning forest school. There was laughter, feasting on fresh muffins and all sorts of shared goodies, sand (in all sorts of unwanted places) and the loveliest sense of camaraderie. 💕🌿

13/06/2026

Wishing everyone a very happy Strathaven Gala Day! 🎉

The weather seems to be entering fully into the Gala Day spirit already – a wee bit wild, a wee bit dramatic, and possibly preparing for the traditional Strathaven Gala Day rain. ☔️

But rain or shine, we hope families across Strathaven have a brilliant day celebrating, connecting, cheering, playing, and enjoying all the colour and community spirit that makes Gala Day so special.

There’s something lovely about seeing a whole town come together – children waving, music playing, families catching up, and memories being made.

Have a wonderful day, everyone. 💛

07/06/2026

Farewell, Dame Hilda 🐔

We're sad to announce the passing of Dame Hilda.
Dame Hilda ruled her flock with integrity, curiosity, and the occasional firm reminder about who was really in charge. She was always first to investigate anything new, happy to greet visitors, and never far from the action.

Over the 2 years she was with us she brought smiles to countless children and adults who visited Alaria. Many stopped to chat to her, and she always seemed genuinely interested in what they had to say.

We'll miss seeing her wandering around the site, supervising our activities, and making sure standards were maintained.

Sleep well, Dame Hilda. Thank you for being part of the Alaria family. ❤️

06/06/2026

Mud, Wildlife & End-of-Term Adventures 💚
Today marked the final session of our Saturday Therapeutic Forest School groups before we take a break for the summer.

With the reservoir levels lower than usual, the children had a wonderful opportunity to explore parts of the shoreline that are normally underwater. We discovered tracks, searched for wildlife, investigated the mudflats, and spent time noticing all the little things that often go unseen.

Of course, there was also a lot of mud.
The kind that squelches between your boots.
The kind that somehow ends up on your trousers, your sleeves, and occasionally your face.
The kind that some children appeared determined to take home with them. 😁

As we watched children exploring, collaborating, problem-solving and following their curiosity, it was another reminder that some of the richest learning happens when children are given space, time and freedom to engage with the natural world.

Thank you to all the families who have joined us this term. It has been a privilege to share these adventures with your children.
We'll be back after the summer holidays, but first we have our Summer Programme to look forward to! ☀️🌿 https://alaria.uk/holiday-sessions-for-children/

Holiday sessions for children aged 5-14: play, exploration and connection – supporting children to feel calm, confident and truly themselves.

05/06/2026

We made full use of our beach today — and even made it over to the other side! 🌊☀️

Our Friday group spent the day exploring, catching tadpoles and discovering a beautiful violet ground beetle 🪲✨

Safe to say there were a lot of muddy feet by the end of the day… but that’s all part of the fun! 👣💚

04/06/2026

Traffic jam at Alaria this morning!
Canada geese with their gosling, greylag geese, and a wee rabbit all heading along the track together.
We were happy to wait. ❤️

20/05/2026

If you could do with some time to step into nature and unwind, our Adult Forest School session for ages 16+ is on tomorrow (Thursday 20th May), 10am–12pm, and there’s something very lovely about being outdoors when the weather might be a bit drizzly – especially when there’s a warm fire hut to retreat to.

We’ll have space for a gentle wander by the reservoir, time to slow down, chat, potter, visit the guinea pigs, and perhaps try a bit of fire-lighting, use the Kelly kettle, toast a marshmallow, or make something simple in our wee haybarn crafting area.

No pressure to walk far. No pressure to be outdoors the whole time. No pressure to be crafty. No pressure to be sociable. Just come as you are.

Pay what you can (min £5). Hot drinks included (tea, coffee, hot chocolate). Tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/ticketing/adult-forest-school-session-3

19/05/2026

This morning the weather was properly wet and windy, so we dipped in and out of the warm as the children needed – with plenty of quality piggy-time, cosy chats, and American pancakes cooked over the fire.

One of the things we value most is helping children listen to their own bodies and needs. Sometimes that means climbing trees in the rain or pretending to be a Canada goose in the reservoir. Sometimes it means warming your hands by the fire while waiting for pancakes to cook and guinea pigs to say hello 🐹🥞🔥

There’s no “right” way to do a session here – just space to be human together.

18/05/2026

Becoming a piggy platter 😁🌿