We offer a wide range of great value mountain skills, rock climbing and climbing coaching workshops, held in locations across Scotland. We also organise talks, lectures and other events during the year to help you grow your knowledge and meet other hill walkers, climbers and mountaineers.
Check out the full schedule below and click for more information, booking details and prices.
Please note: We indicate whether courses are fully booked below, but please be aware this is not an automatic update, so the situation may change before this page is updated.
Waiting lists
We operate a waiting list for most events to fill spaces that become available in case of cancellations. Please add your details to the waiting list for any courses and dates that are fully booked that you are interested in and we will be in touch with everyone on the list if any places become available.
This course is designed to build on your existing navigation skills and to develop your confidence. It builds on your skills to develop strategies to cope with bad weather or being caught out by short daylight hours. The majority of the time on the hill we will be in complete darkness.
Techniques will include:
What will you get from attending the course?
Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
This course is designed to build on your existing navigation skills and to develop your confidence. It builds on your skills to develop strategies to cope with bad weather or being caught out by short daylight hours. The majority of the time on the hill we will be in complete darkness.
Techniques will include:
What will you get from attending the course?
Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
A one-day Mountaineering Scotland navigation course will give you a firm grounding in practical mountain navigation skills, no matter which fitness level you choose.
Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 6 or 12 people per course.
The courses aim to introduce or refresh essential navigation skills by:
We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
A one-day Mountaineering Scotland navigation course will give you a firm grounding in practical mountain navigation skills, no matter which fitness level you choose.
Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 6 people per course.
The courses aim to introduce or refresh essential navigation skills by:
We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
This course is designed to build on your existing navigation skills and to develop your confidence. It builds on your skills to develop strategies to cope with bad weather or being caught out by short daylight hours. The majority of the time on the hill we will be in complete darkness.
Techniques will include:
What will you get from attending the course?
Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
This course is designed to build on your existing navigation skills and to develop your confidence. It builds on your skills to develop strategies to cope with bad weather or being caught out by short daylight hours. The majority of the time on the hill we will be in complete darkness.
Techniques will include:
What will you get from attending the course?
Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
The course begins indoors, where the core knowledge and concepts are introduced. When weather, snow and mountain conditions are suitable, we aim to continue learning outdoors during the afternoon, allowing participants to apply and reinforce the topics covered in the morning in a practical mountain environment.
Please note: Participants must have attended a winter skills course with Mountaineering Scotland or another provider prior to signing up for this course. Under exceptional circumstances we will accept people who have not attended a formal winter skills training course, but who have considerable personal experience. Please contact us if you think this applies to you.
Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
A full day of intensive winter navigation training with particular consideration to avoidance of avalanche-prone slopes and cornice features.
Techniques may include:
After a planning session in the classroom, we will head outside and hopefully experience the challenge of poor visibility navigation. Depending on the date, this might be before or after twilight. This is not a night navigation course but be prepared for this to happen and know how to use your headtorch, with your gloves on!
Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
Area: Cairngorms (Mill Cottage)
Fitness level 4 - THIS IS OUR MOST PHYSICALLY DEMANDING COURSE, candidates MUST be fit enough to spend 8 hours on the hill and ascend up onto the Cairngorm Plateau in the dark in hostile conditions.
Our one-day winter skills courses designed for those who are new to winter hill travel and want to develop the essential skills and confidence needed to move safely in the mountains during winter.
The course provides an introduction to the winter environment, covering the fundamental techniques required for travelling on snow and ice.
You will learn:
Through practical sessions in the mountain environment, you will gain an understanding of snow, terrain, weather, and the challenges that make winter travel different from summer walking. This course provides the ideal foundation for those looking to continue developing their winter skills through further training and experience.
Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
Our two-day winter skills courses are aimed at people who already enjoy walking in the Scottish hills in summer and winter and wish to improve their competency and learn the necessary skills to enjoy winter in the hills safety.
Two-nights self-catered accommodation is included at Mill Cottage (Feshiebridge) for courses in the Cairngorms or Alex MacIntyre Memorial Hut (near Onich/North Ballachulish) for courses in Glencoe.
You'll learn:
Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
Our two-day winter skills courses are aimed at people who already enjoy walking in the Scottish hills in summer and winter and wish to improve their competency and learn the necessary skills to enjoy winter in the hills safety.
Two-nights self-catered accommodation is included at Mill Cottage (Feshiebridge) for courses in the Cairngorms or Alex MacIntyre Memorial Hut (near Onich/North Ballachulish) for courses in Glencoe.
You'll learn:
Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
A full day of intensive winter navigation training with particular consideration to avoidance of avalanche-prone slopes and cornice features.
Techniques may include:
After a planning session in the classroom, we will head outside and hopefully experience the challenge of poor visibility navigation. Depending on the date, this might be before or after twilight. This is not a night navigation course but be prepared for this to happen and know how to use your headtorch, with your gloves on!
Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
Area: Cairngorms (Mill Cottage)
Fitness level 4 - THIS IS OUR MOST PHYSICALLY DEMANDING COURSE, candidates MUST be fit enough to spend 8 hours on the hill and ascend up onto the Cairngorm Plateau in the dark in hostile conditions.
What you'll learn:
Introducing topics of snow, avalanches and triggers.
Introduction to terrain recognition and safe travel including which areas to avoid.
Introduction to weather influences, snowpack and instabilities.
Introduction to forecasts and how to use them to make simple decisions.
Identification of visual clues and layers in the snowpack.
This two-day winter skills courses is aimed at women who already enjoy walking in the Scottish hills in summer and winter and wish to improve their competency and learn the necessary skills to enjoy winter in the hills safety.
Two-nights self-catered accommodation is included at Mill Cottage (Feshiebridge) for courses in the Cairngorms or Alex MacIntyre Memorial Hut (near Onich/North Ballachulish) for courses in Glencoe.
You'll learn:
Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
Our two-day winter skills courses are aimed at people who already enjoy walking in the Scottish hills in summer and winter and wish to improve their competency and learn the necessary skills to enjoy winter in the hills safety.
Two-nights self-catered accommodation is included at Mill Cottage (Feshiebridge) for courses in the Cairngorms or Alex MacIntyre Memorial Hut (near Onich/North Ballachulish) for courses in Glencoe.
You'll learn:
Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
Our two-day winter skills courses are aimed at people who already enjoy walking in the Scottish hills in summer and winter and wish to improve their competency and learn the necessary skills to enjoy winter in the hills safety.
Two-nights self-catered accommodation is included at Mill Cottage (Feshiebridge) for courses in the Cairngorms or Alex MacIntyre Memorial Hut (near Onich/North Ballachulish) for courses in Glencoe.
You'll learn:
Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
Our two-day winter skills courses are aimed at people who already enjoy walking in the Scottish hills in summer and winter and wish to improve their competency and learn the necessary skills to enjoy winter in the hills safety.
Two-nights self-catered accommodation is included at Mill Cottage (Feshiebridge) for courses in the Cairngorms or Alex MacIntyre Memorial Hut (near Onich/North Ballachulish) for courses in Glencoe.
You'll learn:
Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
Our one-day winter skills courses designed for those who are new to winter hill travel and want to develop the essential skills and confidence needed to move safely in the mountains during winter.
The course provides an introduction to the winter environment, covering the fundamental techniques required for travelling on snow and ice.
You will learn:
Through practical sessions in the mountain environment, you will gain an understanding of snow, terrain, weather, and the challenges that make winter travel different from summer walking. This course provides the ideal foundation for those looking to continue developing their winter skills through further training and experience.
Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
A one day course to learn how to rescue someone from an avalanche using transceivers, shovels and probes. This course is suitable for winter hillwalkers, mountaineers, climbers, and ski tourers/backcountry skiers or boarders who have this equipment and would like to learn how to use it quickly and efficiently, or to refresh existing knowledge.
Your course will start with a session indoors, ensuring that everyone has the appropriate kit, planning the day taking into consideration the weather and avalanche forecasts, and covering the theory of companion rescue.
The course will then move outside to cover the different aspects of companion rescue including:
Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
Area: Aviemore (Cairngorms)
Learn the skills for looking after yourself in the winter mountains when the skis or boards need to come off. This course aimed at ski tourers, ski mountaineers, backcountry skiers, split boarders and anyone travelling in winter mountain terrain using touring equipment. It's designed to help you gain the knowledge and experience to be able to transition to winter walking and mountaineering when traveling by ski/board is not possible or not safe due to conditions or steepness.
Your course will start with a session indoors, ensuring that everyone has the appropriate kit, planning the day taking into consideration the weather and avalanche forecasts.
We will then move outside to cover:
Instructor ratios are 1:6. We aim to cover as much as possible, depending on the group, group size and weather conditions.
This two-day course is designed for those looking to take their first steps into backcountry touring. It is aimed at skiers and snowboarders who have good basic winter skills, a good level of fitness, and are keen to develop the knowledge and techniques needed to travel safely and confidently in the winter mountains.
The two-day course will run on a maximum of 1:6 ratio and, weather and conditions permitting, will cover the following aspects of backcountry touring:
Equipment choice and use & fitting/managing skins
Efficient uphill techniques & movement skills
Navigation with both map/compass and GPS
Route planning/choice
Basic decision-making in winter environment
Weather forecast interpretation
Avalanche awareness
Emergency procedures
Area: Cairngorms
Course includes 2 nights self catering accommodation at Mill Cottage national hut in Glen Feshie (Friday & Saturday nights)
Fitness level 4
This two-day course is aimed at members of backcountry touring clubs affiliated to Mountaineering Scotland who either aspire to, or are already taking the lead on an organisational role on club trips, or those who wish to develop their skills and confidence to ski/board in the backcountry with others.
The two-day course will run on a maximum of 1:6 ratio and, weather and conditions permitting, will cover the following aspects of snow sports touring:
Area: Cairngorms
Course includes 2 nights self catering accommodation at Mill Cottage national hut in Glen Feshie (Friday & Saturday nights)
Fitness level 4
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Mountaineering Scotland is a registered trademark of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland Limited
