🥾 Midlothian Hill Skills Course – 2-Day Introduction to Confident Hillwalking
Location: Midlothian Snowsports Centre | Edinburgh Hills & Pentlands
Are you ready to leave the busy paths behind and explore Scotland’s wild hills with confidence? Our Hill Skills Course, delivered at the scenic Midlothian Snowsports Centre and surrounding Pentland Hills, is the ideal first step for anyone new to hillwalking.
Led by qualified, friendly instructors accredited by Mountain Training, this two-day course is perfect for beginners who want to build navigation skills, understand hill safety, and gain confidence moving through Scotland’s open upland terrain.
🧠What You’ll Learn
- Route Planning & Preparation: Plan safe, achievable hill days by assessing weather, terrain, fitness levels, and escape options.
- Hill Navigation Basics: Learn to read a map, use a compass, follow a bearing, and estimate timing and distance—both on and off path.
- Walking Skills & Movement: Develop good movement techniques over uneven ground, dealing with muddy slopes, rocks, and elevation.
- Weather Awareness: Interpret forecasts and learn how to handle changeable Scottish hill weather—even in summer.
- Hazards & Safety: Understand common hill hazards, how to avoid them, and what to do if something goes wrong.
- Equipment & Clothing: Choose the right layers, kit, and footwear for safe and comfortable hillwalking all year round.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who’s It For?
This course is ideal for:
- Beginner walkers with little or no experience
- Families and individuals looking to explore beyond marked trails
- Those preparing for longer hikes, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, or future mountain training courses
- Anyone aged 14+ (children must attend with a participating adult)
You don’t need prior experience—just a reasonable level of fitness and enthusiasm to learn in the hills.
đź“Ť Course Details
- Location: Midlothian Snowsports Centre & Pentland Hills
- Duration: 2 Days (typically weekend format)
- Time: ~09:00 to 17:00 each day
- Group Size: Max 8 people per instructor
- Equipment Needed: Comfortable walking gear, waterproofs, rucksack, boots, map & compass (full kit list provided)
🎓 Certification: Optional Mountain Training registration includes access to their digital logbook (DLOG) and a certificate of attendance.
âś… Why Choose Peak Adventures?
- Local instructors with years of Scottish hill experience
- Relaxed, supportive learning environment near Edinburgh
- Small group sizes for hands-on coaching
- Recognised by Mountain Training UK & Ireland
- Perfect foundation before progressing to Mountain Skills or Lowland Leader courses
📞 Book Now – Take Your First Confident Steps into the Hills!
Whether you dream of walking in the Cairngorms or just want to enjoy local hill adventures safely, this course gives you the practical skills and confidence to make it happen.
Step off the beaten path. Discover the skills to roam freely, safely, and confidently in Scotland’s hills.
