Experiences of the Shieling: A phenomenological study of a Gaelic culture-specific outdoor learning program

• Culture is a key influence on human-nature interaction • Culture consideration is largely absent in nature based intervention (NBI) research • Place-based culture-specific programming was key to positive outdoor learning experience • Place-based culture-specific design may improve NBI effectiveness, equity, and sustainability Green prescriptions—nature-based interventions to improve human health—are becoming increasingly popular, and this growing popularity highlights concerns regarding inclusive access and overly simplistic approaches. Despite culture as a key factor for how humans conceive of and engage with nature, it is mostly absent from green prescription program design and research. Better insight into participant experience of a culture-specific nature-based intervention would help design, conduct, and implement green prescriptions. This study aimed to explore the phenomenon of an immersive 6-day Gaelic culture-specific outdoor learning program and assess relevance of culture-specific design. A purposive sample of participants (n=25) were recruited from the Shieling Project in Scotland, United Kingdom, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews from June 27 to September 3, 2022. Thematic analyses showed four key themes regarding the culture-specific relevance of the program: positive value of traditional ways of living, importance of traditional knowledge, personal values, and history. Culture-specific program design was key to positive outdoor learning experience suggesting that culture-specific green prescriptions may serve to improve equitable access and minimize reductionistic approaches to green prescriptions.