This Mountain Training Hills Skills course is your key to getting started in countryside and moorland walking. No previous hill walking experience is required as the content of the course is aimed at beginners. If you do have some experience of hill walking but aren't confident about planning walks, navigating and understanding the equipment required, then this course is the ideal way to learn.

This course includes: A copy of the safety on mountains book, Navigational timing card, Certificate of attendance for completing the course, Lifetime use of digital log book (Dlog) to record walks moving forward, 15% Discount code to cotswold outdoors and Snow and Rock (Sponsors of the Mountain Training Skills Awards).

The course will run over 2 days, residential option available. Please email [email protected] for more information. Members booking in using membership prices will be contacted with a request for compass numbers prior to the course.

Please note: This is not the Hill And Moorland Leader Award.

Who:

Scouts and the general public (age 18+)

How much:

£95 (member), £115 (non-member).

Accommodation:

Full board accommodation offered at £50 per person.

Where:

Lochgoilhead, Argyll PA24 8AQ

When:

This course is running on the following dates: 

Saturday 24th to Sunday 25th October 2026

Book Now

This Mountain Skills course is a great way to learn the essential skills you will need to enjoy the mountains in the UK safely. Whether you'd like to feel more confident using a map, you have ambitions to climb Everest or become a Mountain Leader, a Mountain Skills course is a great first step. This is a progression into more mountainous terrain from the Hill Skills and a reasonable level of fitness is recommended for this course as it will take place in higher terrain, with 5-6 hours spent on the hill and the potential for an evening session included as well. Attendance of a Hill Skills course or 10 logged Mountain Days are a pre requisite for this course. All of our Skills Courses will be ran by our Mountain Training Scotland approved tutor team.

This course includes: A copy of the safety on mountains book, Navigational timing card, Certificate of attendance for completing the course, Lifetime use of digital log book (Dlog) to record walks moving forward, 15% Discount code to cotswold outdoors and Snow and Rock (Sponsors of the Mountain Training Skills Awards).

The course will run over 2 days, residential option available. Please email [email protected] for more information. Members booking in using membership prices will be contacted with a request for compass numbers prior to the course.

Please note: This is not the Mountain Leader Award.

Who:

Scouts and the general public.

How much:

£105 (member), £125 (non-member).

Accommodation:

Full board accommodation offered at £50 per person.

Where:

Lochgoilhead, Argyll PA24 8AQ

Duration:

Two days.

When:

Saturday 17th to Sunday 19th October 2026.

Book Now

If your interested in leading groups in the hills or a current T1 permit holder who wants to take the next step then this is for you! This course is ideal for: People who lead groups in the hills or might venture away from obvious paths but won’t encounter mountain hazards like steep rocky ground. Commonly used in terrain that presents an intermediate level of challenge, for example Dartmoor, the Peak District, North York Moors, Pentland Hills and the Sperrins.

Before booking this course you must have a Mountain Training account, you must have registered online for the Hill and Moorland leader scheme (can only be done on the Mountain Training website), logged 20 Quality Hill days, ideally logged on Dlog (the digital logbook on the Mountain Training Candidate management system).

More information on the award and the link to register can be found here.

Who:

Scouts and the general public (age 18+)

How much:

The course costs £260 (member), £285 (non-member).

Accommodation and meals are included with the cost and is available from the night before the course (16th October).

Accommodation:

See above.

Where:

Lochgoilhead, Argyll PA24 8AQ

When:

This course is running on the following date: 

Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th October 2026

Book Now

Calling all nights away assessors, permit holders and anyone wanting to be one. Gather round the campfire and join us for the Nights Away Weekender 2026: a two-night skills fest just for you. This weekend of adventure will be packed full of workshops and practical skills for great residentials. Think programme planning, fires, outdoor cooking, equipment care and camp gadgets. This is a hands-on weekend. Prepare for mud! 

Our tailored sessions mean it doesn’t matter whether you’re an old-hand or just starting out. We’ll pitch our sessions to your level. It’ll also be a great opportunity to meet other volunteers, so you’ll be in good company. You’ll join us at our nights away marketplace. Not only will we have all the gear on show, you’ll be able to swap ideas and advice too. You’ll leave confident to deliver great overnight experiences for young people. 

We recognise that this event falls over Remembrance Sunday, so to support more people to attend, we’ve introduced a day ticket option on Saturday 7th November. For anyone staying the full weekend, we’ll also be hosting a small remembrance gathering on site to mark the occasion.

Who:

This course is open to Nights Away Assessors, Permit Holders or anyone wanting to be one. Attendees must be aged 18 and over at the start of the course. 

How much:

- Standard ticket: £40 per person (includes camping, self-catering, all workshops and event badge)
- Indoor accommodation upgrade: £29 per person (shared bunk rooms for Friday and Saturday night, first come, first served)
- Catering options: £30 per person (Friday supper to Sunday lunch)

As this is an event, not a course, this is not subject to early bird pricing offer. 

Accommodation:

Camping is included within the ticket price. You can upgrade to shared dorm-style accommodation for an additional £29 per person (includes Friday and Saturday night, first come, first served)

Food:

Catering can be included either via a weekend package, which includes all meals from Friday night supper to Sunday lunch for £30 per person.

Where:

Great Tower, Birks Road, Newby Bridge, Cumbria LA23 3PQ

Duration:

Two days.

When:

Friday 6th to Sunday 8th November 2026, with a day visit option on Saturday 7th November.

Enquiries:

If you have any questions about the event, please contact us at [email protected]

Book Now