NAVIGATION TRAINING

A particular area of interest for us, we understand the satisfaction that can be derived from successful and accurate navigation in testing conditions. Whilst we all want nice dry and sunny days when we head for the hills, in the UK this is often not the case, and when the weather closes in and the visibility drops to almost nothing it is good nav skills which can make the difference in getting safely off the mountains.

Our navigation courses will typically take place in easily accessible lowland terrain such as the Pentland Hills to enable suitable terrain to practice the skills acquired.

Skills based courses

Ideal for those who simply want to improve their map skills for their own confidence and safety in the hills to tackle more ambitious terrain or are simply considering making your first steps into the hills and want to grasp the basics. We will work with you at a level to suit, and whatever stage your navigation skills are at, we can offer you the opportunities to practice a variety of navigation strategies to improve your abilities. These courses allow more focus on the skills you need improving rather than covering all aspects of a navigation syllabus, so is possibly more useful for the improver that has the basics down and just needs some 'fine tuning'.

We are also able to provide training in advanced navigation techniques such as poor visibility and night time navigation and relocation for when it hasn't gone to plan, which form an important weapon in the hill walkers navigation arsenal and it is recommended that these skills are obtained before undertaking any serious remote or wild country trips or expeditions.

National Navigation awards

We can offer the NNAS National Navigation Awards Scheme Bronze and Silver syllabus. This is a nationally recognised achievement in navigation ability and clients are awarded certificates and badges upon successful completion on the course. These courses are excellent for getting a solid grip of the basics of navigation whether you are a complete hill novice or a seasoned hill walker who has until now been happy to leave the nav to someone else, whilst also providing a recognised achievement.

Bronze NNAS Award – The Learning Outcomes

Understand the nature of a map as a two dimensional plan.
Understand how to use map symbols and scales, on a variety of maps.
Take a 6 figure grid reference for any given position and also locate such a reference on the map.
Orientate the map with and without a compass.
Use the orientated map to identify land features and indicate direction of travel.
Choose simple navigation strategies and routes.
Use linear features (e.g. paths and tracks) as handrails in simple navigation exercises.
Estimate distance on both map and ground.
Using a basic understanding of contours, match major landforms like hills and valleys to their map representation.
Plan a safe, suitable walk.
Relocate using simple techniques on paths and other handrails.
Understand access rights and responsibilities.
Demonstrate an awareness of local and national access issues and access legislation.
Demonstrate knowledge of the Countryside Code, and of procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency.

Silver NNAS Award - The learning outcomes: (additional to those of the Bronze Award)

Devise a strategy for a navigational stage, to break it down into 'coarse' and 'fine' navigation and to use clear features en route to check that they are 'on course'.
Understand and apply the following components of a navigational strategy 'aiming off', 'attack points', 'collecting features', simplifying navigation, and apply them in varying terrain.
Demonstrate an understanding of contour features, both large and small, on the map and on the ground.
Demonstrate an understanding of the navigation physical and factors affecting route choice.
Judge distance accurately on the map and on the ground.
Plan a safe walk or route involving Silver award skills and strategies.
Employ simple relocation strategies when lost.
Use a compass to follow accurate bearings and to check the direction of footpaths or other linear features on both map and ground.
Demonstrate knowledge of the effects of fatigue and physical discomfort brought on by navigating in demanding countryside and/or extreme weather condition. Knowledge of basic first aid is also expected.
Demonstrate knowledge and application of the Countryside Code and current access legislation as for the Bronze level together with an appreciation of basic environmental factors in mixing 'man with nature' (e.g. footpath erosion and methods of dealing with it), and responsibilities towards other countryside interests like farming, forestry and conservation.

Quality instruction and guiding since 2012
Working in the sublime Scottish highlands and islands, we offer a variety of high quality hill, mountain, climbing and wilderness focused adventurous activities and training throughout Scotland.

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