Are you curious to learn more about the land of your ancestors? The country, the culture in general and your cultural heritage in particular? Why not join us on a voyage of discovery following in their footsteps. We invite you to spend a day touring the province and experiencing the genuine culture and nature of Dalsland.

Today we invite you on a journey to some of the members of Dalslandsmat, a local organization of some thirty food producers in Dalsland. The organization publishes a “Food Rally Map” which guides you to farm-gate sales, restaurants and other food producers. We will also visit the interesting art of engineering in Håverud with three different bridges on top of each other and the ancient history of the Bronze Age and the Rock Carvings in Högsbyn.

We start at the farm of Torgunnehagen, one of the local producers of sea buckthorn. The beautiful orange berries have proved to be a source of healing from the inside out and are used for drinks, jam, tea, and cosmetics.  At Torgunnehagen you can buy juice, jam and sweets.

Next stop is Skötterud farm and their minizoo with goats, pigs, rabbits, reindeer and llamas.  Lunch is served in their restaurant, which contains a collection of old things from all over the world, some for sale and others for amusement. In front of the restaurant is a colorful totem pole by the Dalsland artist Stig Nelson, Lästvik.

In Håverud we stop to look at the ingenious combination of a roadway bridge, a railway bridge and an aqueduct, completed in 1868 by the famous canal builder Nils Ericson. Next to the canal are the Canal museum in one of the old houses and Dalsland Center, an exhibition hall for businesses and a tourist information center. 

We now enter the scenic Brudfjällsvägen road to Tisselskog and the 3000 year old rock carvings in Högsbyn. The site includes more than 50 rock areas with more than 2,500 Bronze-Age carvings. It is believed that Högsbyn was a sacred location, used for religious ceremonies.

We visit Lästvik säteri, the manor of an old forest farm. The main house contains Dalsland´s most beautiful folklore hall with unique wall paintings from 1858, gallery with art exhibitions, some from Stig Nelson, and an art & handicraft shop. Many artists and craftsmen have contributed to the variety of items and materials that are displayed.

Dinner time takes us to Falkholt’s, one in the group of quality restaurants that wear the Västsvensk Mersmak badge, and offers exquisite culinary experiences in the heart of Dalsland. Falkholt’s is located in a charming old building, used as a schoolhouse through the first half of the 20th century.

Practical information
All excursions are scheduled for August 14, 2008 and start at Kulturbruket på Dal, Mellerud at 9am. The cost is SEK 800 or USD 120 per person including meals. The excursions can be booked together with the Emigration Conference, see booking information , or separately by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it