Try your first summit

Many people are active walkers but perhaps are unsure of how to safely tackle their first summit. You may enjoy walking in familiar territory, perhaps a local park, paths, trails or forest, but would like to gain the skills and knowledge to start to enjoy the larger Scottish scenery, and the summits that you can see from the glen. 

This one day hike is designed to help people aim for their first summit, with a relaxed and friendly approach. We can talk about related topics along the way, and you will go home with new knowledge, skills and confidence to plan your own adventures.  

During the walk, we will regularly assess route options based on progress, energy levels, and weather conditions. 

What you'll learn

During the course of the day we will talk about topics including: 

  • Fundamentals of planning a day 
  • Reading weather forecasts 
  • Introduction to map reading and navigation skills 
  • Personal hill skills and managing yourself in the mountains 
  • What to wear, what to take, and how to pack 
  • What to do in an emergency 
  • How to make decisions for a safe day out 
  • Common problems and how to avoid them 

We cannot guarantee all skills will be covered, as we would like to cover things well, rather than rushing through to cover everything. 

Ben Vrackie route description

We will meet in Pitlochry and travel to the start of the route near Moulin, just north of Pitlochry. We will be following well-maintained paths through beech woodland before open heather moorland to a junction, where the right-hand path leads towards the summit. From here, the trail offers excellent viewpoints and a scenic outlook over the loch, with clear views of the steeper final ascent of Ben Vrackie. 

At this point, a decision can be made whether to continue to the summit, considering time, energy levels, and weather conditions. The final section is steeper, with rougher stone steps, leading to a rewarding summit with superb panoramic views. 

Fitness Level 2

For people who are fit enough to enjoy days out on the hills and high tops, but would prefer to train on terrain that is not too physically demanding. 

This course will be delivered on ‘track/path’, but is just over 10km and has 780m of ascent.

Course date & location

Monday 4 May - Pitlochry

Bookings open soon.

Cost

£5 for Mountaineering Scotland members 

Not a member? Join us - Thanks to your membership, we can subsidise the costs of our courses and offer them at affordable prices compared to most commercial providers. (More about membership benefits)

Why become a member?

  • Your membership fee goes back into supporting the work we do including our skills and safety course program
  • You're protected with £20m liability insurance and up to £10k personal accident for your mountaineering activities
  • Save money on outdoor gear with some fantastic member-only discounts and offers with major brands and retailers
  • Keep up to date with the latest in our monthly members e-news
  • Be inspired by our feature packed members magazine, Scottish Mountaineer, with two issues a year in print or digital format
  • Stay in some amazing location for walking and climbing, with access to national and club huts
  • Get free registration with Mountain Training Scotland to help you on your journey to gaining qualifications

Booking conditions

To book onto one of our mountain safety courses, you need to be a member of Mountaineering Scotland and at least 18 years old when the course takes place. Thanks to your membership, we can subsidise the costs of our courses and offer you cheaper course prices than most commercial providers.

Please note:

  • Pre-booking is essential.
  • By booking a place on one of our courses, you are agreeing to our booking and cancellation conditions - please read them before you book.
  • Cancellations more than 4 weeks before the course date will incur a £10 admin fee per booking to cover admin costs.
  • If you cancel less than 4 weeks before a course date, we are unable to offer a refund or transfer unless we can find a replacement to take your place (£10 admin fee applies).
  • If you cancel less than 7 days before a course date, we are unable to offer a refund.

How to book a place on a course

To book onto one of our mountain safety courses, you need to be a member of Mountaineering Scotland and aged 18 or over. 

Thanks to your membership, we can subsidise the costs of our courses and offer you cheaper course prices than most commercial providers.

  • Mountaineering Scotland members can book and pay easily and quickly online in our members’ web portal. 
  • If you are not a Mountaineering Scotland member, you can join and book your course place at the same time quickly and easily online in our members' web portal. 

Please take a look at our useful course information for booking and cancellation conditions.