EYW Training Courses
No Events
We often bring in external training providers to run our own training courses, which you can find on our Events page. These are organised by our Training Officer Giedre.
Ramblers Scotland Training Courses
Ramblers Scotland regularly run a series of training courses for Ramblers members. You can find them all listed on the Ramblers Scotland Eventbrite page, which is also where you can sign up for them. Keep a particular eye out for the courses below:
Getting started – An introduction to walk leadership
If you’ve never led a walk and just want to know more about this popular volunteer role, join one of our monthly online sessions, hear from other walk leaders and ask any questions you have.
Walk Leadership Next Steps
A free one-day course where you’ll practice basic navigation skills, chat with other volunteers about best practice for leading walks, explore kit and look at how to deal with emergencies. Led by volunteers like you and delivered out on a lovely walk. Perfect for leading leisurely and moderate walks. Events across Scotland.
Advanced Navigation
A free weekend of training for those who really want to go the extra mile. Advanced techniques will help you brush up on core skills and give you new techniques to go off the path and help when the weather and visibility get bad. Perfect for moderate, strenuous and technical walk leaders. Events across Scotland.
Out There Award
Are you aged 18-26 and keen to learn the skills to explore Scotland on foot? The award is split over two non-consecutive days, with between four and eight participants per award scheme. Day One focuses on outdoor skills, then on Day Two you will enjoy a group challenge walk, planned and led by you and your fellow participants. Each day is designed to break down the barriers that sadly stop many young adults from enjoying the outdoors.
Walk Leader Masterclasses
Pop on the kettle, pull up a seat and join us for our cosy online evening sessions where we invite external speakers to enthuse us with their knowledge and expertise.
Useful Blogs
Harvey Mapmakers do a great Navigation Blog full of tips and tricks.
Online Training Videos
Ordnance Survey cover a lot of the beginner topics in the videos below. There have also put together a great leaflet that introduces you to maps and clearly goes over the basics, available here.
Choosing the right map
Understanding contour lines
6-figure grid reference
Taking a compass bearing
Understanding map symbols
4-figure grid reference
How to use a compass
Understanding magnetic north
Practicing
Once you have an idea of the basics it’s worth getting out and putting these in to practice. The easiest way I’ve found is to use the Edinburgh Southern Orienteering Clubs permanent orienteering courses..
Blackford Hill, Bonaly Park, Cammo Estate, Castlelaw, Corstorphine Hill, Hillend Park, and Hopetoun House so there should be one nearby to practice on! You can pickup the maps for Castlelaw, Hillend and Bonaly at the Hillend Ski Centre for £1.50 each but it’s worth giving them a quick call to make sure they have the one you are after before visiting, the others can be purchased via the ESOC website.
For your £1.50 you get a waterproof a4 map of the course along with 4 orienteering routes of various difficulty and length to try and navigate.
If you are interested in learning more about navigation why not comment below and we’ll keep you updated of any future training.