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4-Day Advanced Navigation & Wild Camping Course – Western Scotland
Develop the skills to travel confidently through remote wilderness and experience some of the UK's most spectacular mountain landscapes.
Join us in the rugged wilds of Western Scotland for an immersive 4-day expedition focused on advanced navigation, off-track travel, and remote wild camping. This course is designed for those who want to move beyond following paths and learn how to make their own way across the landscape using traditional navigation techniques and a deeper understanding of the natural world.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is aimed at hikers, wild campers, and outdoor enthusiasts who already have some experience in the hills and are looking to take their navigation skills to the next level.
Whether you're preparing for self-supported mountain journeys, remote expeditions, or simply want to become more confident navigating away from established routes, this course provides a challenging and supportive environment in which to develop those skills.
What Makes This Course Unique?
Our approach combines practical mountain travel with advanced navigation training, allowing you to learn by doing in real wilderness terrain.
Advanced Navigation
Refine your map and compass skills in complex mountain environments. Learn precision navigation, contour interpretation, route planning, relocation techniques, and the decision-making skills needed to travel confidently through pathless terrain.
Natural Navigation
Develop a deeper connection with the landscape by learning to interpret natural signs such as landforms, weather patterns, vegetation, watercourses, and the movement of the sun and stars to support your navigation.
Remote Wild Camping
Travel through truly wild country and establish camps in isolated locations far from roads and established campsites. Learn the practical considerations of multi-day journeys and self-sufficient mountain travel.
Expedition & Mountain Skills
Gain valuable experience in route selection, campcraft, shelter systems, stove use, mountain safety, and low-impact travel. Throughout the course, you'll develop the judgement and confidence required for independent adventures in remote environments.
Course Breakdown: Day by Day
Day 1 - Briefing and setting out
Meet at Mallaig at 11am.
Introduction & gear check
Basics of map reading: symbols, contours, scales
Lunch we can have in Malliag before setting out
Depending on the weather we may need to travel a short way to make the best of it, so we could possibly pop on the ferry from Mallaig or drive to a nearby area
Camping for tonight is wild camping out in the hills
Camp setup, stove use & safety, group dinner
Day 2 - Mirco-navigating the Hills
Compass use & bearings
Pacing and timing techniques
Identifying features in the landscape
Hitting small features with confidence
Navigate to the second wild camp spot
Day 3 – Challenge & Confidence
Route planning and solo navigation tasks
Wild camp in a remote mountain spot
Evening reflection and story-sharing
Day 4 – Journey Out & Consolidation
Sunrise navigation session
Group-led hike back using learned skills
De-brief and personal development planning
Farewell & return to base by 2pm
What You’ll Learn
Practical map & compass confidence
Reading terrain & interpreting natural signs
Micro-navigation skills and techiques
Decision-making in the outdoors
Problem solving, resilience, and self-reliance
What's Included
Instruction from qualified, experienced and friendly Mountain Leaders
Support before and after the course
What You’ll Need
Personal kit list provided upon booking
A sense of curiosity and adventure
Some prior experience required - you’ll need to be able to wild-camp confidently and read a map to a basic level. If you’ve attended our Lake District Wayfinder, or done a bronze NNAS course you’ll no problem. If you’re not sure, just get in touch and we can have a chat about where you’re at!
Accessibility & Inclusivity
We’re committed to making the outdoors more welcoming. If you have specific needs (financial, physical, cultural, or otherwise), please reach out and we’ll do our best to support you.
Book Your Place
Location: Western Scotland, UK
We meet in Malliag before hiking out into the wild elements. We’ll select the exact area we’ll hike and camp in based on the weather at the time, so we may need to drive a little ways or jump on the ferry to make the best of the environment.
Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights. 11am Day 1 to 2pm Day 4. (3 nights Wild Camping in the mountains)
Price: £350
Questions? Contact us at theteam@howlbushcraft.co.uk
Ready to advance your navigation with confidence?
