Edinburgh PDC 2026: Design Course (Jan 31-May 17)

The 2026 Edinburgh Permaculture Design Course is a comprehensive, Permaculture Association certified program spanning six weekends from January 31 to May 17, 2026. Held primarily at the A+E space at St Mary’s in Edinburgh, with additional venues including James’ site Willowburn Lea at Leadburn, the course features classroom sessions, practical demonstrations, site visits to woodlands, forest gardens, urban gardens, and community projects. Travel to external sites is coordinated where possible via public transport, though costs are not included in fees. Fees operate on a sliding scale from £525 to £865 based on income, covering face-to-face tuition, practical instruction, specialist facilitator sessions, video links, and online content. The curriculum is divided into six modules. Module 1 introduces Permaculture fundamentals, including ethics, principles, learning from nature, design processes, zones, sectors, and input-output analysis, with a daily plant focus. Module 2 covers observation tools, mapping, patterns in nature, climate and micro-climates, and trees. Module 3 delves into soil, organic gardening, forest gardening, and practicals. Module 4 addresses design tools, examples, social systems, built environments, resource choices, money, and ecological footprints. Module 5 includes visits to established permaculture sites with an optional camping at Willowburn Lea, focusing on water and practicals. Module 6 culminates in final design projects, presentations, next steps guidance, and an end-of-course party. The course is led by main teachers James and Nenya, supported by guest teachers, practitioners, designers, and specialists. This structure ensures participants gain hands-on experience in applying permaculture principles to diverse contexts, from urban to rural settings, fostering skills in sustainable design for food production, water management, energy use, and community building. Site visits provide real-world examples of permaculture implementations, enhancing theoretical learning with practical insights. The emphasis on ethical design and observation equips learners to create resilient systems that mimic natural patterns, promoting biodiversity and resource efficiency. Participants leave certified and ready to implement permaculture in their own projects, contributing to regenerative agriculture and ecological restoration efforts in Scotland and beyond.[1][6]