Activity Overview: Hillwalking

Qualifications required for hillwalking depend on the planned terrain.

Non- remote terrain below 300m in height requires experienced leaders, but does not require a hillwalking qualification.  A current first aid qualification is recommended, as is a maximum Leader to pupil ratio of 1:8.

Hillwalking in non- winter conditions above 300m but below 600m (plus other caveats defining location & remoteness), requires Aberdeenshire’s in- house Lowhills award, with a maximum qualified Leader to participant ratio of 1:8.

The Lowhills scheme requires a Logbook detailing the required level of 20 days’ hillwalking experience, a 2 day initial course then a 1 day update course every 5 years.

All groups operating in Lowhills must be accompanied by an adult holding a current First Aid qualification. As a minimum this should be a 6-hour award, preferably with an additional element of training in outdoor/mountain safety.  A 2 day BASP style outdoor emergency first aid course is preferred for Lowhills & required for NGB qualifications.

In lieu of Lowhills, NGB Lowland Leader or Hill & Moorland Leader qualifications may be acceptable for particular terrain.  See Mountain Training for specific information or contact the Outdoor & Adventurous Education Team for advice:

OutdoorExcursions@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Hillwalking in non- winter conditions above 600m or in terrain outwith the defined Lowhills geographic area/remoteness requires the NGB Mountain Leader qualification.

Hillwalking in winter conditions would require NGB Winter Mountain Leader. 

Terrain below 300m: no qualification required

Terrain between 300- 600m within defined location & remoteness:  Lowhills

Beyond 600m and Lowhills definition:  NGB Mountain Leader

About the scheme

Our Lowhills Training scheme is an employment based (In-house) scheme of training provided by Aberdeenshire Council (or contracted partners) for their employees, sanctioned volunteers, or partner organisations. The scheme operates within the Council's management procedures and policies of safe practice.

Entry to the scheme is designed to encourage those members of staff with minimal hillwalking experience to participate in training, enabling them to lead groups on Lowhills terrain.

Lowhills training is intended for:

• Council employees and formally enrolled volunteers working with groups from their own establishment
• Use on Lowhills terrain as defined below
• Use on Lowhills terrain in summer conditions only, generally April-October inclusive
• Group leaders operating on ‘known terrain’
• Use on routes which are predominantly track or path based

Definition of Lowhills terrain:

• Land to the east of the A9 between Dunkeld and Inverness and north of a line drawn from Dunkeld to Montrose
• Lying between 300m and 600m
• Terrain that is easily exited to an accessible road or Landrover track within approximately an hour
• Predominantly track and path based terrain
• In addition, factors other than height must be considered such as remoteness and roughness of ground. Where the suitability of a planned walk is not clear, advice should be sought from the Outdoor and Adventurous Education Team

Pre-training requirements:

• Minimum age 18
• Experience of hillwalking in low hill areas or beyond (i.e. terrain above 300m) over at least 20 days.  It is recognised that experience in Lowhills can be gained in several different situations, such as leading a group, being a member of a led group, out with a group of friends or solo.  However, the experience is gained, some if not all of the follow should apply:
  • At least part, if not all the area is unfamiliar
  • A minimum duration of 5 hours or minimum distance of 10 km.
  • The terrain or conditions should challenge the individual in some way, for example, requiring navigational or group management decisions to be made. Knowledge or skill is increased as a result of the day

Training:

• Satisfactory completion of the 2 day initial course which comprises both indoor teaching & practical exercises in Lowhills terrain.
• Attendance of a 1 day update course is required every 5 years

First Aid

All groups operating in Lowhills must be accompanied by an adult holding a current First Aid qualification. As a minimum this should be a 6-hour award, preferably with an additional element of training in outdoor/mountain safety.

Risk Assessment

Exemplar risk assessment: Hillwalking

Partnerships

Live Life Outdoors work in partnership with the following approved providers who deliver hillwalking:

• Glenmore Lodge
• Duke of Edinburgh