We’ve been very lucky over the years to have gained many loyal, returning ‘Hillgoers’. Some began their journey from having little or no hillwalking experience and knowing no one else to go out into the hills with, to accomplishing more than they initially thought possible. Many now actively keep in contact and meet up to enjoy the hills as friends and equals.

There are lots of other ways in which people have grown and developed:

Some have gained enough fitness to feel happy completing longer days.
Some now feel comfortable to head out onto the hills by themselves with a map and compass.
Some are confident enough to tackle some of Scotland’s classic scrambles and ridges.
Some have even gone on to complete the Munros or to train for their Mountain Leader Award.

The Beginning

So, you’ve decided to invest in some hiking gear and want to commit to spending some more time outside. Where do you start?

Our Hill Skills Workshops are the ideal ‘taster’ days, aimed at beginners. If you’re looking for something a little more in-depth then the 2-day Bronze Navigator Award is the one for you. They both aim to cover everything, from what kit to take out on the hill to mountain safety and navigation techniques.
Book a Private Course on your own or with a group of friends. If you can get a group of 5 or more, then it’ll likely work out cheaper per person than a scheduled course from our calendar!
It can be a minefield trying to decide which course is for you with the amount available online. This is why we have Hillgoers Skills Pathway to help you choose.
The idea of joining a group activity can be a daunting one; for this reason, we have a difficulty grading system for each of our courses.
We’re always happy to answer any questions and advise.

Beginner Courses

Private Course

Building Confidence

Once you’ve completed a few introductory walks and courses, you’ll likely have a better feel for what group events are like and a greater understanding of the hill skills required to complete them. You may, therefore, look at developing your hill skills further so that you can work towards heading out under your own steam, or scaling up your objectives!

We run a number of courses that are accredited by external organisations ensuring that you’re getting industry recognised courses with tried and tested syllabuses.

Mountain Training Scotland (MTS) - the awarding organisation in Scotland for walk leader and climbing instructor qualifications. They also promote public education in the skills necessary for safe participation in hillwalking, mountaineering, and climbing activities.

National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) - a personal performance, non-competitive, incentive scheme for all ages to learn navigation skills and gain confidence to get out and enjoy the countryside.

Accredited Courses

A Seasoned Hillgoer!

As time goes on, you may be looking back over the previous few years and think… wow, I’ve achieved a lot. What’s next?!

We appreciate that everyone’s different. You may now be well on your way to ticking off all the Munros, or maybe you like the idea of a knife edge ridge, multi day adventure, snowy blue sky day, or just more of the same! For this reason, we have a wide variety of options for the more experienced hillwalker.

At this stage you may have met a few like minded Hillgoers who are keen on heading out together; this is when booking a Private Event turns into a cost effective option!

We’re happy to take suggestions or tailor the day to suit you.
If you can get a group of 5 or more, then it’ll likely work out cheaper per person than a scheduled event from our calendar.

Private Events

Other Courses

Winter Skills

Final Say

We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has signed up to one of our events or courses over the last decade. We hope that, whatever stage of the Hillgoers journey that you’re on, this article helps you decide what's next!

Written by Edd Hamilton

Skills - Your Hillgoers Journey Part 2