Discover the art of making your own seaweed paper at Fife Seaweed Fest, a one-of-a-kind craft activity rooted in Scotland’s coastal environment. Learn, create, and take home a unique souvenir!
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
1.5–2 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal physical effort required, suitable for all ages
Wildlife
History
Fife’s coastal communities have depended on maritime crafts and resourceful uses of seaweed for centuries, blending ecological knowledge with local livelihood.
Conservation
The event promotes sustainable harvesting practices that protect local marine ecosystems for future generations.
Fife Seaweed Fest
Discover the art of making your own seaweed paper at Fife Seaweed Fest, a one-of-a-kind craft activity rooted in Scotland’s coastal environment. Learn, create, and take home a unique souvenir!
Fife Seaweed Fest is a community-focused festival and series of hands-on experiences based in Saint Monans (St Monans), Scotland.
Featured on The Adventure Collective, Fife Seaweed Fest showcases the coastal plants, crafts and cultural stories connected to seaweed through small-group workshops, guided foraging walks, film screenings and tasting events.
Programming brings together local practitioners and visiting experts: foraging and food sessions are led by Graham and Christine from Whitehouse Foraging; artist Kit Martin runs darkroom and phytogram workshops; and special guest Eileen Budd contributes historical storytelling to selected events.
Offerings include cyanotype and darkroom printing, seaweed paper making, composting demonstrations using beach-cast seaweed, craft sessions, guided low-tide forages with hands-on cooking, and film nights such as the UK premiere of "Mother of the Sea" with filmmaker Q&As and a seaweed gin tasting.
Workshops emphasize accessible, practical learning and place-based connection to the Fife coastline. The Cyanotypes at the Seashore workshop is explicitly limited to four participants and supplies materials; other sessions take place on nearby beaches and in community venues.
Fife Seaweed Fest focuses on combining creative practice, ecological appreciation and local knowledge to offer trustworthy, expert-led opportunities for anyone wanting to learn more about seaweed, coastal craft and foraging in Fife.
Participants of all ages and abilities are welcomed and encouraged regularly.
Location
Saint Monans
On the Fife coast, Scotland
Intimate Sessions
Up to 4 (cyanotypes)
Small-group cyanotype workshop
Film Events
UK premiere
Includes "Mother of the Sea" screening
Workshops Offered
9 experiences
Foraging, craft, film and composting
Reserve workshops, foraging walks or film nights — see dates and details for cyanotypes, seaweed forages, paper-making, composting and more.
Wear waterproof clothing
Seaweed harvesting can be wet and messy—dress accordingly for comfort and practicality.
Take notes during the workshop
Jot down techniques and tips to replicate your seaweed paper at home.
Handle seaweed carefully
Some seaweed species may have sharp edges or be slippery—use gloves for safety.
Bring an apron or old clothes
Protect your clothing from potential stains or messes during the crafting process.
Waterproof clothing
Necessary for staying dry during seaweed harvesting and processing.
Apron or old clothes
Protects your clothing from ink and natural residues.
Notebook and pen
Useful for recording techniques and ideas during the workshop.
Gloves
Optional safety gear for handling seaweed with sharp edges.