The Scottish Wild Mushroom Code
The countryside is a working landscape. Please be aware of safety
and follow the countryside and access codes. In accordance with
these codes, and as a matter of courtesy, you are advised to ask
for permission before you pick mushrooms.
By respecting the natural environment you can help to manage and
conserve the countryside. When picking mushrooms for any purpose,
please consider the following points:
- Wildlife, especially insects, need mushrooms too, so only pick
what you will use.
- Do not pick mushrooms until the cap has opened out and leave
those that are past their best.
- The main part of the mushroom is below the surface; take care
not to damage or trample it and not to disturb its surroundings.
- Scatter trimmings discreetly in the same area as the mushroom
came from.
- Some mushrooms are poisonous and others rare and should not
be picked – only pick what you know and take a field guide
with you to identify mushrooms where you find them.
- Before you collect mushrooms at a nature reserve please always
seek advice from the manager, as special conditions may apply.
If you own or manage land
- Be aware that your management activities may affect mushrooms.
If you run a foray or collect for scientific purposes
- Ensure the safety of your party, obtain permission in writing.
- Give a record of what you have found to the landowner or manager
and explain the significance of your findings.
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Image copyright
Lorne Gill / Scottish Natural Heritage
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The Scottish Wild Mushroom Code is available as an A5 leaflet
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Copies are available from:
Dr Dave Genney
Scottish Natural Heritage
Great Glen House
Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 8NW
Tel: 01463 725253
Or
click here to email Dave Genney
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The code was created by the Scottish
Wild Mushroom Forum, a group of representatives of conservation
organisations, landowners, public landowning bodies, mushroom buyers
and mushroom packers. The creation of the Forum and the Code was
funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, the Millennium Forest for Scotland
Trust and Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise.
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