I offer workshops for people wishing to develop their outdoor skills and walk in a safe and responsible manner. These fall under the two main categories of navigation skills, and personal development through experiencing nature and wild places.
Arran is the ideal place to develop personal outdoor skills, with a wide range of terrain, easy access to the mountains and a unique atmosphere. I am a National Navigation Award Scheme Bronze and Silver Award approved provider.
National Navigation Award Scheme Bronze Award
The National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) is a personal performance,
non-competitive, incentive scheme for all ages to learn navigation
skills and gain confidence to get out and enjoy the countryside.
At Bronze level we look at navigation in the countryside using paths tracks and other linear
features. Basic map interpretation and compass work is included.
This is a great introductory course for people with no navigation experience.
Most of the time will be spent out on the hill but there will be a small element of classroom learning. Training and assessment will both take place on this two day course.
Minimum group size: two people, maximum: six people.
The NNAS silver award looks at navigation in the countryside using skills acquired at bronze level and
adding skills required to navigate to features and places some distance
from paths and tracks.
Accurate compass work is required and an ability
to use appropriate navigational techniques to go across country.
This is a great course for people with some experience of using maps who wish to brush up and learn new skills.
Most of the time will be spent out on the hill but there will be a small element of classroom learning. Training and assessment will both take place on this two day course.
Minimum group size: two people, maximum: six people.
£90 per person non residential for a 2 day course.
Participants
will be introduced to some of the skills of walking and meditating in the wild in order that
we may safely deepen our connections with the elements and the non-human worlds
of plant and tree, animals and birds, river and rock.
Mountain skills such as basic navigation and personal care and
practices for re-connecting will be interwoven and integrated, moving at a pace
comfortable for each member of the group.
This course is ideal for those wishing to develop a closer relationship with nature through experiencing wild places, learning new skills of self reliance and connecting to the non human world.
This course is offered in partnership with Sue Weaver. Sue facilitates eco-psychology workshops and the Work that Reconnects.
Weekend Course: £95 non-residential
Booking: Courses are available to small groups who wish to make a private booking, and are also scheduled as public workshops. If you like the sound of one of the workshops on offer and can't find it in the online calendar pleasecontact me. Although most workshops
require a minimum number of bookings to take place, I can schedule the workshop
at a time that suits you, and advertise for more bookings. This has
been a successful way of offering workshops which perhaps might not
otherwise have run due to their specialist interest.
Navigation Skills Days
If you don't fancy a weekend course and just want some 1:1 tuition why not polish up your navigation skills with a day out on the hill with me? Hiring a guide for the day costs less than you think. Rates start at £35 per person with a minimum cost of £70 (or 2 people).
Visit my blog for regular updates about walks, wildlife and life on the Isle of Arran.
National N
The NNAS silver award 
Participants
will be introduced to some of the skills of walking and meditating in the wild in order that
we may safely deepen our connections with the elements and the non-human worlds
of plant and tree, animals and birds, river and rock. 
