Thinking about the wilds again, in Skyrim foraging is almost a must for the average traveler, but often times if you're sharp you find good stuff.
In the hold of Solitude we have the cold yet bearable shores of the sea, which provide a lot of opportunities for those that know what they're looking for. Tidepooling is one of the few things that provides both food and an opportunity for coin.
The Sea of Ghosts, or the Atmoran Strait for the historic folk, is quite dangerous even when not in the water with wolves and horkers prowling around. But for hunters and those that know their way around a pole and knife clams and fish are plentiful and cook well with any wild herbs one may find, and pearls can be sold or made into jewelry. Of course if you're skilled with a blade bandit outposts can be raided for their ore veins and whatever they carry. There's also the sunken ships.
Because the sea is such a dangerous thing, attempting to dive into wrecks is absolutely insane, however things do wash up. Wood can be used for various projects or practices, rope can be reused in lighter applications or decor, or even entire ships made into outposts but bandits have claimed most opportunities for that.
Kelp and seaweed might also prove to be a decent addition to food, though it's not advised to hunt horkers given their danger and how few remain. Finding a shallow cave and building a decent fire before spending a night fishing could probe a decent campsite while passing through, and if you have a good tongue stuff your bags with alchemical ingredients you might make some good payback before you leave Solitude and travel towards Markarth or Morthal.
Markarth is a warmer climate with lots of juniper berries for the mead maker, but battling the Forsworn lurk in every tree and hill the eye can see. Morthal is colder and is mostly swamp which could provide decent foraging and fishing, however, as people haven't settled on the wetlands there are many beasts to fear and many caves or ruins to fall into. One must also be extremely wary of the Labyrinthian which is home to frost trolls, the most terrifying creature of Skyrim's wilds.
