Cairngorms Mountain Skills (4 Days)
A four-day accredited Mountain Skills course in the Cairngorms combining the full Mountain Training syllabus with night navigation and practical wild camping systems.
- Accredited syllabus
- Wild camping skills
- Night navigation
- £295 per person
An accredited mountain skills course
Our 4-day Cairngorms Mountain Skills course meets at the Tiso Store in Aviemore. We begin with planning and map work in the Carrington Bothy Lecture Room before heading onto the mountain to apply the skills in real terrain.
The course delivers the full Mountain Training Mountain Skills syllabus and exceeds the minimum 16 hours of training required for accreditation. Because of the longer format, we also have time to practise skills repeatedly in a range of real mountain conditions.
The additional days allow us to include night navigation and wild camping systems, giving you the experience needed to operate confidently in serious Highland terrain.
Course overview
- ✓ Accredited course: delivers the full Mountain Training Mountain Skills syllabus
- ✓ Approved provider: Peak Adventures is a Mountain Training approved provider (verify on Tahdah)
- ✓ Training time: exceeds the 16-hour requirement for accreditation
- ✓ Night navigation: dedicated darkness session
- ✓ Wild camping: camp systems, site selection and Leave No Trace
- ✓ Bonus: 15% Cotswold / Snow+Rock discount
Course progression
The four-day format includes the full Mountain Skills syllabus and adds time for consolidation, night navigation and practical wild camp systems.
Days 1–2: Navigation and mountain judgement
- Map symbols, scale and contour interpretation
- Grid references and feature recognition
- Route planning and hazard awareness
- Pacing, timing and distance judgement
- Compass bearings and relocation techniques
- Movement skills across varied mountain terrain
Days 3–4: Night navigation and wild camp systems
- Dedicated night navigation session
- Wild camping systems and camp routine
- Water treatment and camp logistics
- Remote route choice across the plateau
- Student-led navigation legs
- Developing independence in mountain terrain
Who this course is for
This course suits walkers who want more depth than a short skills course can provide. The longer format allows the skills to settle in properly through repetition and real mountain decision making.
- Walkers building independence in mountain terrain
- People preparing for multi-day mountain journeys
- Hillwalkers wanting night navigation experience
- Anyone developing confidence with wild camping
Shorter course options
If you prefer a shorter course without the wild camp element, our Cairngorms 1-day and 2-day courses cover the same foundations in a condensed format.
Dates & booking
Live availability is shown below. Booking secures your place and full joining instructions will be sent by email.
Before booking
- Meet Saturday 09:00 at Tiso Aviemore
- Course finishes Tuesday afternoon
- Full camping kit required
- Kit hire may be available