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Wild Camping Skills Course
May 14, 2022 @ 10:00 am – May 15, 2022 @ 4:00 pm
£220 per person
Make Yourself at Home
2 Day Course for Wild Camping Beginners
Immerse yourself in the wild landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park while learning the skills of wild camping from an experienced and knowledgeable guide.
‘Wild’ camping means no campsite, no campervan, and no bringing anything that can’t be carried. It is a liberating and wonderful way to enjoy the great outdoors. If you are new to wild camping then this course will equip you with the skills and confidence to head out on your own, and enjoy camping comfortably and responsibly in Scotland’s wild places.
What You’ll Learn
Wild camping is a superb way to enjoy Scotland’s outdoors – whether you want to explore more remote areas of the country, or simply spend longer enjoying time outside. It is for anyone that wants to discover a wonderful sense of freedom.
In our course we will cover the following topics:
- Access Rights
Where can I go? We’ll examine Scotland’s access laws which govern your rights and responsibilities as a wild camper.
- Leave No Trace
The golden rule of wild camping. We’ll take a good look at how to leave the wild a better place than we found it.
- Equipment
Learn about the essential kit we need to make wild camping comfortable – sleeping bags, tents, stoves, clothing and more. We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of different gear choices.
- Planning and Packing
Together we’ll go through the process of planning our camp. We’ll then look at what we need to take with us, and how to make it all fit in rucksack we can comfortably carry.
- Campcraft
The skills that make camping easy. Everything from choosing the right site, to how to get your tent up and down quickly, and keeping yourself organised in camp.
- Camp Cooking
Whether it’s a simple boil-in-the-bag or an easy cooked meal, we’ll look at the options to stay well fed and satisfied. Then we’ll smell the options. Then we will eat them.
Summary
We will meet at the Loch an Eilean carpark in Rothiemurchus forest in the Cairngorms National Park. Parking is free for course participants.
We will spend the morning in a nearby sheltered area, where we will begin with the basics of equipment, planning and packing. After lunch we will pack all our kit and head out to our chosen camp spot.
The woods and hills nearby offer an abundance of choice when it comes to beautiful camping locations, so we will make an appropriate choice based on factors including the weather, our group size, and our ambitions.
When we arrive at our camp we will spend some time looking at how to choose a good spot for your tent, preparing the ground, and pitching the tent efficiently. As we settle in for the evening we will discuss (and enjoy) food options as well as good campcraft. After a sociable evening we will head to bed.
On our second day we will strike camp. We will take time to ensure we are leaving no trace, and look at ways to minimise our impact on the landscape.
Please note the plan for the course may be subject to change at the discretion of your guide due to considerations such as weather.
Location
We are based in Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park. We have a huge area of natural beauty to enjoy, so we can decide where to go based on the weather conditions at the time. Options include beautiful loch-side camps, rare Caledonian Forest or even the Cairngorms themselves in good weather.
About Your Guide:
Questions?
If you have any questions about the day please drop me a line through my website or leave a comment below.