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Mountain skills weekends

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.

Fitness level 3


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.

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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

The course is delivered on a 1:6 ratio and involves two full days out on the hill.  

To take part, you should be fit enough to enjoy a seven-hour day on the hill which may involve ascent up to 900m on rough terrain.

2024 Course dates and locations

  • 4 & 5 May 2024 - Mountain Skills Weekend - Carn Dearg Mountaineering Club Hut, Braedownie, Glen Cova - Bookings open 
  • 21 & 22 September 2024 - Mountain Skills Weekend - The Alex MacIntyre Memorial Hut, Ballachulish, Glen Coe - Bookings open

All courses will start at 9am on the Saturday and finish around 4pm on the Sunday.

Cost

Cost: £125 for Mountaineering Scotland members.

The cost is per person and includes self-catering hut accommodation on Friday and Saturday evening. 

If you have any further questions, please contact Ben Gibson ben@mountaineering.scot 

Accommodation

The course includes overnight accommodation in a self-catering hut on Friday and Saturday evening. The huts are available from  6pm on the Friday, please plan to arrive no later than 10pm.

Booking a place

To book onto one of our mountain safety courses, you need to be a member of Mountaineering Scotland and aged 18 or over. Members aged between 14 and 18 can attend this course if accompanied by a parent or nominated adult: phone the office at 01738 493942 for details and to book.

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 and then book your course place quickly and easily online in our members' web portal. 


Please note:

  • Places are limited so pre-booking is essential
  • 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.
  • By booking a place on one of our courses, you are agreeing to our booking and cancellation conditions - please read them before you book.

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Previous participants said:

  • Excellent and highly professional instruction
  • I would absolutely recommend a course. They suit all levels, and work really hard to accommodate all levels of skills really well.
  • Amazing all round experience. Ridiculously good value for money. The atmosphere and attitude of students and staff were all really positive and friendly
  • Just a quick thanks Ben and Nathan for a great weekend. The instruction was top notch and fills me with a bit more confidence to tackle the hills with a few new skills to practise and hone