Courses and events calendar

We offer a wide range of great value mountain skills courses 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 overnight. 

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.


A first step into outdoor Bouldering. This one-day course offers you the chance to experience outdoor bouldering under the supervision of our expert coach, learning some new skills that can start you on your outdoor climbing journey.

This course is ideal for members who have never climbed before or boulder indoors but would like to try climbing on real rock.

The course will cover:

  • Bouldering equipment and use 
  • Movement coaching on real rock
  • Bouldering Safety and Ethics 
  • Decisions making and risk management 
  • Use of guidebooks, and online resources

Meeting Place: Dumbarton Rock

Book now


This one-day course is designed to progress your outdoor climbing and teach you about how to effectively move on rock, protect yourself and take that first step to becoming an independent outdoor climber.

What you'll learn

  • Recap of the basics (see Introduction to Rock Climbing)
  • Placing and removing gear
  • Building and equalising belays
  • Abseiling with a prussik
  • Belaying from the top of a route
  • Movement skills coaching

Meeting Place: Kingussie

Read more or book now


This two-day course is designed as the next step on your journey to becoming a safe and independent Trad Climber. Looking at the skills to be a competent second and looking at what’s involved in lead climbing.

What you'll learn

  • Movement technique on real rock
  • Competent seconding skills
  • Belaying a trad lead
  • Placing and removing traditional gear
  • Setting up belays
  • Setting up retrievable abseils
  • Decision making – understanding risk evaluation and management.

Meeting Place: Glen Nevis 

Read more or book now


This two-day course is designed as the next step on your journey to becoming a safe and independent Trad Climber. Looking at the skills to be a competent second and looking at what’s involved in lead climbing.

What you'll learn

  • Movement technique on real rock
  • Competent seconding skills
  • Belaying a trad lead
  • Placing and removing traditional gear
  • Setting up belays
  • Setting up retrievable abseils
  • Decision making – understanding risk evaluation and management.

Meeting Place: Rosyth Quarry 

Read more or book now


This one-day course is run as a member’s bouldering social accompanied by an expert coach to give you all the tips and tricks to get the most out of your climbing. It's an opportunity to meet up with other psyched boulderers from across Scotland and visit some of the best bouldering venues around. 

This course is ideal for members who boulder, indoors or out at all experience levels, and would like to visit some of the country’s best venues.

The course will cover:

  • Opportunities to climb at the best bouldering venues
  • Support from our expert coach
  • Movement coaching on real rock 
  • Bouldering Safety and Ethics 
  • Decisions making and risk management 
  • Use of guidebooks, and online resources.

Meeting Place: Glen Lednock

Bookings open

Book now


Now you can trad climb, let’s make you a pro. Through perfecting ropework skills and gear placements, to making the best decisions and problems solving, it’s time to perfect your Trad Climbing on this one-day course.

What you'll learn

  • Advanced movement technique
  • Lead climbing skills
  • Perfecting traditional gear placements
  • Setting up complex belays
  • Decision making – understanding risk evaluation and management.
  • Solving common problems

Meeting Place: Glen Nevis

Read more or book now


A first step into outdoor Bouldering. This one-day course offers you the chance to experience outdoor bouldering under the supervision of our expert coach, learning some new skills that can start you on your outdoor climbing journey.

This course is ideal for members who have never climbed before or boulder indoors but would like to try climbing on real rock.

The course will cover:

  • Bouldering equipment and use 
  • Movement coaching on real rock
  • Bouldering Safety and Ethics 
  • Decisions making and risk management 
  • Use of guidebooks, and online resources

Meeting Place: Glen Lednock

Book now


This one-day course is run as a member’s bouldering social accompanied by an expert coach to give you all the tips and tricks to get the most out of your climbing. It's an opportunity to meet up with other psyched boulderers from across Scotland and visit some of the best bouldering venues around. 

This course is ideal for members who boulder, indoors or out at all experience levels, and would like to visit some of the country’s best venues.

The course will cover:

  • Opportunities to climb at the best bouldering venues
  • Support from our expert coach
  • Movement coaching on real rock 
  • Bouldering Safety and Ethics 
  • Decisions making and risk management 
  • Use of guidebooks, and online resources.

Meeting Place: Glen Lednock

Bookings open

Book now


Being proficient in the Scottish Mountains in summer conditions is of course much more than just the ability to navigate well - although navigation is one of the  crucial elements of safe travel in the mountains.  These weekend courses go a step further than the basic navigation skills to introduce valuable skills to members who regularly visit the summer mountains and who wish to develop their abilities to become safer and more proficient.

What you'll learn

This weekend course comprises two days of instruction. It will include all of the following aspects to ensure safe and enjoyable days on the hill:

  • Pre-planning with reference to maps, guide books, websites & weather forecasts.
  • What to pack in your rucksack
  • Navigation
  • Route choice
  • How to cope with more difficult terrain such as scree, rocky steps, boulder fields and steep ground.
  • Emergency procedures

Area: Glencoe

Meeting Place: Lagangarbh Hut, Glen Coe, Lochaber, PH49 4HX

Read more or book now


This one-day course is designed to progress your outdoor climbing and teach you about how to effectively move on rock, protect yourself and take that first step to becoming an independent outdoor climber.

What you'll learn

  • Recap of the basics (see Introduction to Rock Climbing)
  • Placing and removing gear
  • Building and equalising belays
  • Abseiling with a prussik
  • Belaying from the top of a route
  • Movement skills coaching

Meeting Place: Creag Na-heigh

Read more or book now


This one-day course is designed to take your indoor climbing skills and applying them to outdoor Sport Climbing. Learn the art of Sport Climbing and pick up some skills to help you become an independent sport climber.

What you'll learn

  • Advanced Sport Climbing skills
  • Advanced belaying skills
  • Projecting skills
  • Advanced movement coaching
  • Decision making – understanding risk evaluation and management.

Meeting Place: Benny Beg

Read more or book now


A first step into outdoor Bouldering. This one-day course offers you the chance to experience outdoor bouldering under the supervision of our expert coach, learning some new skills that can start you on your outdoor climbing journey.

This course is ideal for members who have never climbed before or boulder indoors but would like to try climbing on real rock.

The course will cover:

  • Bouldering equipment and use 
  • Movement coaching on real rock
  • Bouldering Safety and Ethics 
  • Decisions making and risk management 
  • Use of guidebooks, and online resources

Meeting Place: Torridon Celtic Jumble

Bookings open

Book now


This one-day course is run as a member’s bouldering social accompanied by an expert coach to give you all the tips and tricks to get the most out of your climbing. It's an opportunity to meet up with other psyched boulderers from across Scotland and visit some of the best bouldering venues around. 

This course is ideal for members who boulder, indoors or out at all experience levels, and would like to visit some of the country’s best venues.

The course will cover:

  • Opportunities to climb at the best bouldering venues
  • Support from our expert coach
  • Movement coaching on real rock 
  • Bouldering Safety and Ethics 
  • Decisions making and risk management 
  • Use of guidebooks, and online resources.

Meeting Place: Torridon Celtic Jumble

Bookings open

Book now


Mountaineering Scotland, in partnership with Richard Bentley from Mountain Motion, is offering club and individual members the opportunity to participate in a Summer Mountain Leader Training Course, at a special discounted rate. Price includes accommodation at Mill Cottage. 

Please note that participants must attend both 3 day modules.

What you'll learn

  • Group management
  • Navigation
  • Access and the environment
  • Hazards (including steep ground and rivers) and emergency procedures
  • Equipment
  • Expedition skills
  • Mountain weather

Area: Cairngorms

Read more or book now

A one-day Mountaineering Scotland navigation course will give you a firm grounding in practical mountain navigation skills, no matter which fitness level course you choose. Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. The courses aim to introduce or refresh essential navigation skills.

What you'll learn

  • Increase your confidence in finding your way on the hill
  • Learn the skills of map reading and compass bearings
  • Learn how to follow a bearing accurately
  • Pick up handy hints and techniques to locate yourself on the hill in poor visibility

Area: Arrochar 

Meeting Place: Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team Base, Arrochar, G83 7AZ

Read more or book now


A one-day Mountaineering Scotland navigation course will give you a firm grounding in practical mountain navigation skills, no matter which fitness level course you choose. Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. The courses aim to introduce or refresh essential navigation skills.

What you'll learn

  • Increase your confidence in finding your way on the hill
  • Learn the skills of map reading and compass bearings
  • Learn how to follow a bearing accurately
  • Pick up handy hints and techniques to locate yourself on the hill in poor visibility

Area: Arrochar 

Meeting Place: Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team Base, Arrochar, G83 7AZ

Read more or book now


A one-day Mountaineering Scotland navigation course will give you a firm grounding in practical mountain navigation skills, no matter which fitness level course you choose. Instructor ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course. The courses aim to introduce or refresh essential navigation skills.

What you'll learn

  • Increase your confidence in finding your way on the hill
  • Learn the skills of map reading and compass bearings
  • Learn how to follow a bearing accurately
  • Pick up handy hints and techniques to locate yourself on the hill in poor visibility

Area: Arrochar 

Meeting Place: Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team Base, Arrochar, G83 7AZ

Read more or book now


This course is designed to build on your existing navigation skills and to develop your confidence. Perfect for those wanting a ‘next step’ after attending one of our one day summer navigation courses. It builds on your skills to develop strategies to cope with bad weather and poor visibility, or being caught out by short daylight hours.

What will you learn

  • Improve your ability to recognise contour shapes and features.
  • Accurately follow compass bearings and measure your distance across the ground.
  • Learn new techniques to help you relocate and confirm your position.
  • What to do if you are unsure of your location.

Area: Pentland Hills

Read more or book now


This course is designed to build on your existing navigation skills and to develop your confidence. Perfect for those wanting a ‘next step’ after attending one of our one day summer navigation courses. It builds on your skills to develop strategies to cope with bad weather and poor visibility, or being caught out by short daylight hours.

What will you learn

  • Improve your ability to recognise contour shapes and features.
  • Accurately follow compass bearings and measure your distance across the ground.
  • Learn new techniques to help you relocate and confirm your position.
  • What to do if you are unsure of your location.

Area: Pentland Hills

Read more or book now


The Weather Skills course is delivered by expert meteorologists from The Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS), and aimed at all levels of knowledge, from complete beginner to those with some prior knowledge.

What you'll learn

  • Where the UK weather comes from
  • Air mass theory
  • Weather fronts and what they mean to us
  • Synoptic charts and how to interpret them
  • Relevant weather forecasts
  • How topography influences the weather
  • How elevation influences wind, temperature and precipitation
  • Planning and route choice based on synoptic charts and weather forecasts

Location: Perth

More information

Book now


The Winter Weather course is delivered by expert meteorologists from The Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS), and focuses on winter weather in the Scottish mountains. Some prior knowledge is helpful, for example having attended the MWIS weather course aimed at all levels (see above). 

What you'll learn

  • Understanding different airflow patterns and their winter characteristics
  • Reading the synoptic weather charts
  • Studying different types of snow
  • Freezing levels and freeze-thaw cycles
  • The winter microclimates in the mountains
  • Why does lightning happen in winter?
  • Different types of 'whiteout' conditions
  • Stormy patterns and weather windows
  • 'Alpine conditions' and the road to spring

Location: Perth

More information

Book now


This course is designed to build on your existing navigation skills and to develop your confidence. Perfect for those wanting a ‘next step’ after attending one of our one day summer navigation courses. It builds on your skills to develop strategies to cope with bad weather and poor visibility, or being caught out by short daylight hours.

What will you learn

  • Improve your ability to recognise contour shapes and features.
  • Accurately follow compass bearings and measure your distance across the ground.
  • Learn new techniques to help you relocate and confirm your position.
  • What to do if you are unsure of your location.

Area: Ochils (Dumyat)

Read more or book now


This course is designed to build on your existing navigation skills and to develop your confidence. Perfect for those wanting a ‘next step’ after attending one of our one day summer navigation courses. It builds on your skills to develop strategies to cope with bad weather and poor visibility, or being caught out by short daylight hours.

What will you learn

  • Improve your ability to recognise contour shapes and features.
  • Accurately follow compass bearings and measure your distance across the ground.
  • Learn new techniques to help you relocate and confirm your position.
  • What to do if you are unsure of your location.

Area: Ochils (Dumyat)

Read more or book now


Our one 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 basic skills to enjoy winter in the hills safety. 

What will you learn

  • Use of ice axe and crampons
  • Ice axe self- arrest
  • Navigation
  • Winter safety
  • Avalanche avoidance 
  • What to do in an emergency and more. 

Area: Cairngorms

Read more or book now


Nine hours of intensive winter navigation training with particular consideration to avoidance of avalanche-prone slopes and cornice features. Techniques will include timing, pacing, walking on bearings, aiming off, boxing away from cornice edges, attack points and much more. We will  ‘walk into the dark' and experience the challenges of night navigation.

This course is specifically designed to practice navigation techniques after dark so we start at 10am and finish around 6pm.

All course participants must have completed a winter skills training course either with Mountaineering Scotland or another provider and be familiar with the use of ice axe and crampons prior to attending this course. As well as the basic skills of kicking and cutting steps with their rigid winter mountaineering boots. 

Area: Cairngorms

Read more or book now


Our avalanche awareness courses are designed for proficient winter hill walkers, mountaineers, climbers and ski tourers wishing to increase their knowledge of snow conditions and avalanche risk, to learn which areas to avoid and to improve their understanding of reports and forecasts. 

Participants must have attended a winter skills course with Mountaineering Scotland or another provider prior to signing up for avalanche awareness courses. 

What's covered:

  • Introducing topics of snow, avalanches and triggers.
  • Introduction to terrain recognition and safe travel - 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.

Area: Cairngorms

Read more or book now


This one day course follows on from the Introduction to Avalanche Awareness course, and will consist of an indoor introduction to avalanche theory followed by a practical session on the hill. 

Participants must have attended a winter skills course and an introductory avalanche awareness course with Mountaineering Scotland or another provider (or a comparable course) or have extensive personal experience in the winter hills with a good understanding of avalanches, problems, planning and decisions. Please contact us if you’re not sure this course is correct for you.

What's covered:

  • A brief review of an introduction to avalanche awareness.
  • Avalanche terrain, theory and identification.
  • Slope angles and aspects.
  • ‘Avalanche problems’.
  • The ‘Likely Places’ of Avalanches.
  • Effects of wind and indicators of wind problems.
  • Making the most of the SAIS forecasts.
  • Exercises and observations in the field.

Area: Cairngorms

Read more or book now


This one day course will compare and contrast Crampons with Micro spikes to help you decide what is appropriate and safe in different conditions, how to make decisions and what to do when in doubt.

Participants must have completed a winter skills training course either with Mountaineering Scotland or another provider and be familiar with the use of ice axe and crampons prior to attending this course.

What will you learn

  • Physical differences, definitions and types.
  • Advantages and disadvantages of crampons and microspikes.
  • Where and when to use each.
  • Key considerations: terrain, consequences of a fall, footwear compatibility etc.
  • Safety and planning: understanding limitations, situational awareness, adapting plans.
  • Decision making and doubt.

Area: Cairngorms

Read more or book now


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 basic skills to enjoy winter in the hills safety. Over the course of the two days you'll gain a deeper understanding of essential winter skills and have plenty of time for practice (weather permitting). Two nights self catering accommodation at Mill Cottage national hut included.

What will you learn

  • Use of ice axe and crampons
  • Ice axe self- arrest
  • Navigation
  • Winter safety
  • Avalanche avoidance 
  • What to do in an emergency and more. 

Area: Cairngorms

Read more or book now

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 basic skills to enjoy winter in the hills safety. Over the course of the two days you'll gain a deeper understanding of essential winter skills and have plenty of time for practice (weather permitting). Two nights self catering accommodation at Mill Cottage national hut included.

What will you learn

  • Use of ice axe and crampons
  • Ice axe self- arrest
  • Navigation
  • Winter safety
  • Avalanche avoidance 
  • What to do in an emergency and more. 

Area: Cairngorms

Read more or book now


Nine hours of intensive winter navigation training with particular consideration to avoidance of avalanche-prone slopes and cornice features. Techniques will include timing, pacing, walking on bearings, aiming off, boxing away from cornice edges, attack points and much more. We will  ‘walk into the dark' and experience the challenges of night navigation.

This course is specifically designed to practice navigation techniques after dark so we start at 10am and finish around 6pm.

All course participants must have completed a winter skills training course either with Mountaineering Scotland or another provider and be familiar with the use of ice axe and crampons prior to attending this course. As well as the basic skills of kicking and cutting steps with their rigid winter mountaineering boots. 

Area: Cairngorms

Read more or book now


Our two day winter skills courses are aimed at women who already enjoy walking in the Scottish hills in summer and winter, and wish to improve their competency and learn the basic skills to enjoy winter in the hills safety. Over the course of the two days you'll gain a deeper understanding of essential winter skills and have plenty of time for practice (weather permitting). 

Two nights self catering accommodation at the Alex MacIntyre Memorial Hut included. Please note, the course price also includes uplift at Glencoe Ski Centre (refundable if not used).

What will you learn

  • Use of ice axe and crampons
  • Ice axe self- arrest
  • Navigation
  • Winter safety
  • Avalanche avoidance 
  • What to do in an emergency and more. 

Area: Glencoe

Read more or book now


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 basic skills to enjoy winter in the hills safety. Over the course of the two days you'll gain a deeper understanding of essential winter skills and have plenty of time for practice (weather permitting). 

Two nights self catering accommodation at the Alex MacIntyre Memorial Hut included. Please note, the course price also includes uplift at Glencoe Ski Centre (refundable if not used).

What will you learn

  • Use of ice axe and crampons
  • Ice axe self- arrest
  • Navigation
  • Winter safety
  • Avalanche avoidance 
  • What to do in an emergency and more. 

Area: Glencoe

Read more or book now

Our one 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 basic skills to enjoy winter in the hills safety. Please note, the course price includes uplift at Glencoe Ski Centre (refundable if not used).

What will you learn

  • Use of ice axe and crampons
  • Ice axe self- arrest
  • Navigation
  • Winter safety
  • Avalanche avoidance 
  • What to do in an emergency and more. 

Area: Glencoe

Read more or book now


Our avalanche awareness courses are designed for proficient winter hill walkers, mountaineers, climbers and ski tourers wishing to increase their knowledge of snow conditions and avalanche risk, to learn which areas to avoid and to improve their understanding of reports and forecasts. 

Participants must have attended a winter skills course with Mountaineering Scotland or another provider prior to signing up for avalanche awareness courses. 

What's covered:

  • Introducing topics of snow, avalanches and triggers.
  • Introduction to terrain recognition and safe travel - 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.

Area: Glencoe

Read more or book now


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 basic skills to enjoy winter in the hills safety. Over the course of the two days you'll gain a deeper understanding of essential winter skills and have plenty of time for practice (weather permitting). 

Two nights self catering accommodation at the Alex MacIntyre Memorial Hut included. Please note, the course price also includes uplift at Glencoe Ski Centre (refundable if not used).

What will you learn

  • Use of ice axe and crampons
  • Ice axe self- arrest
  • Navigation
  • Winter safety
  • Avalanche avoidance 
  • What to do in an emergency and more. 

Area: Glencoe

Read more or book now


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 basic skills to enjoy winter in the hills safety. Over the course of the two days you'll gain a deeper understanding of essential winter skills and have plenty of time for practice (weather permitting). Two nights self catering accommodation at Mill Cottage national hut included.

What will you learn

  • Use of ice axe and crampons
  • Ice axe self- arrest
  • Navigation
  • Winter safety
  • Avalanche avoidance 
  • What to do in an emergency and more. 

Area: Cairngorms

Read more or book now


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 basic skills to enjoy winter in the hills safety. Over the course of the two days you'll gain a deeper understanding of essential winter skills and have plenty of time for practice (weather permitting). Two nights self catering accommodation at Mill Cottage national hut included.

What will you learn

  • Use of ice axe and crampons
  • Ice axe self- arrest
  • Navigation
  • Winter safety
  • Avalanche avoidance 
  • What to do in an emergency and more. 

Area: Cairngorms

Read more or book now