If you're new to navigation or looking to rebuild your confidence in the basics, this one-day course is tailored just for you. This course will equip you with essential navigation skills, ensuring you can explore the great outdoors with confidence. Our friendly and experienced guides are here to help you learn in a relaxed and supportive environment.
The day begins at 08:30 in Kingussie's Ardvonnie Car Park, where you'll meet your instructor and fellow participants. After a brief introduction, you'll start with the basics of map reading, including understanding symbols, scales, and contours. Your instructor will guide you through practical exercises, ensuring you gain confidence in these essential skills.
Mid-morning, you'll transition to compass work, learning how to take bearings, orient your map, and navigate accurately across varied terrain. This hands-on session will provide you with plenty of opportunities to practice, ask questions, and get immediate feedback.
After a break for lunch, you’ll put your new skills to the test with a practical navigation exercise in the surrounding hills. Weather permitting, you’ll be exploring within an hour’s journey from Kingussie. This exercise will help reinforce the day’s learning and allow you to experience real-world navigation challenges in a safe and controlled environment. The day wraps up with a return to Kingussie by 15:30 for a debrief and final Q&A session.
The course takes place in and around Kingussie, a charming town nestled in the Cairngorms National Park. Known for its amazing landscapes and diverse wildlife, this area offers the perfect setting for developing your navigation skills.
The meeting point, Ardvonnie Car Park, is conveniently located in Kingussie, making it easy to access by car or public transport.
No prior navigation experience is required, making this course ideal for beginners. Participants should be reasonably fit and prepared for a full day of walking in mountainous terrain.
Suitable clothing and equipment are essential, so please refer to the packing list for guidance.
At our centre, we are passionate about sharing our love for the outdoors and the transformative experiences that come with it. We are committed to sustainable and ethical tourism, ensuring that our activities benefit both visitors and the local community.
Located in the beautiful Cairngorms, we offer an immersive experience in one of Scotland's most beautiful landscapes. Our vision extends beyond just adventure – we aim to make wilderness experiences accessible to challenged and disadvantaged young people, promoting safety, responsibility, and environmental stewardship.
You'll need to bring a few essential items for a comfortable and successful day out. Please pack:
If you need to hire or borrow any equipment, please contact us in advance.
Our course is designed to be flexible and weather-resistant. In adverse weather conditions, we will adapt our activities to ensure safety and maximise learning.
We may adjust the itinerary or focus more on indoor instruction if necessary. Please ensure you bring suitable waterproofs and warm clothing to stay comfortable.
The course involves walking in mountainous terrain, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. While the activities are designed for beginners, you should be prepared for a full day of walking and practical exercises.
If you have any concerns about your fitness level, please contact us before booking.
Absolutely! The course is specifically designed for beginners, so no prior navigation experience is required.
Our experienced guides will start with the basics and provide clear, hands-on instruction to ensure you gain confidence in your new skills.
We meet at Ardvonnie Car Park in Kingussie, PH21 1ET. This location is easily accessible by car, and there are local cafes in Kingussie if you need breakfast or refreshments before we start.
Please plan to arrive a bit early to ensure we can start promptly at 08:30.
About the centre
Kingussie
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
Operated by Peaks, Paddles & Pedals, a partner of adventuro.
