Two-day hill and mountain skills courses 

New for 2026, we've launched two Mountain Training Certified skills courses. Hill skills is ideal for those new to the hills wanting to learn essential skills and build confidence, whilst Mountain skills provides a great opportunity to learn more about keeping safe in the steeper, rocky mountain environment. Find out more about each course below.

The Mountain Training Certified 2-day Hill Skills course is a great way to learn more about hiking in the hills, including essentials such as navigation and how to plan a route. This is ideal for people who are new to the hills or anyone who would like to build up the confidence to go beyond the routes they know well. 

The course will focus on the essentials such as choosing where to go, knowing how to use a map and compass to navigate, and how to look after yourself throughout the day. It can also be used as a first stepping stone to other Mountain Training skills courses and qualifications.  

This is a certified course through Mountain Training, the national awarding body network for qualifications and skills courses in hill walking, climbing and mountaineering. There will be a certificate of attendance, and other benefits. 

Read more about the Mountain Training Hill Skills course on the Mountain Training website

What you'll learn

  • Planning a walk in the hills
  • What to take and how to pack
  • Navigation in the hills
  • Common hazards and how to deal with them
  • What to do in an emergency 

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 mostly be delivered on ‘track/path’, but some elements may be off path.

Maximum distance 12km and maximum ascent 600m.

The Mountain Training Certified 2-day Mountain Skills course is a great opportunity to learn more about looking after yourself in steep rocky places, where the scenery is breath-taking and weather changeable.

Steep, rocky mountains can be intimidating places and it’s common for people to have experienced getting lost or finding themselves uncomfortable on rough ground, which can impact the confidence they have to go beyond the routes they already know. A Mountain Skills course is designed to give you the tools to explore with confidence as you develop your movement skills and learn more about risk management, navigation and route finding in the mountains.

This is a certified course through Mountain Training, the national awarding body network for qualifications and skills courses in hill walking, climbing and mountaineering. There will be a certificate of attendance, and other benefits. 

Read more about the Mountain Training Hill Skills course on the Mountain Training website

Accommodation provided at Alex MacIntyre Memorial Hut. 

What you'll learn

  • Planning a journey in the mountains 
  • What to take and how to pack 
  • Navigation in the mountains 
  • Common mountain hazards and how to deal with them 
  • What to do in an emergency 

For people who regularly climb hills/mountains who wish to take it to the next level.  

The course is delivered on the mountains sometimes ‘off-track’ and on rough scrambling terrain. 

Max distance 12km, max ascent 1000m per day.

Hill Skills - 20th-21st June - Ochils 

Mountain Skills - 29th-30th August - Glencoe

Bookings open soon.

Cost

  • Hill skills - £75 for Mountaineering Scotland members 
  • Mountain skills - £155 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

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.

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.