Mountain Training Scotland

20/05/2026

It’s spring so it’s tick time.

14/05/2026

The technical officer has been in Edinburgh for the last few days delivering workshops for teachers in Edinburgh.

These workshops are part of the process to become a Tutor for the Hill and Mountain Skills courses. Exciting times as they prepare to deliver these skills courses to a range of pupils across the city.

We open up applications for new skills providers in the second half of each year so get in touch if you are interested and want to know more.

Mountain Training

11/05/2026

The technical officer was in the Ochils moderating a Hill and Moorland Leader Training by one of our providers today. An important part of our quality assurance process at Mountain Training Scotland and on a spring day like this a real pleasure.

Mountain Training

04/05/2026

We have one place on each of the below workshops next week. Edinburgh based if anyone would like to join us.

MTS Decision Making and Leadership in the Outdoors https://mt.tahdah.me/event/detail/1420901

Delivering impactful learning, becoming a better instructor, coach, outdoor teacher
https://mt.tahdah.me/event/detail/1420904

Get in touch for any more details.

As outdoor educators, instructors, coaches, MTS assessors, trainers and tutors we have highly developed personal technical skills relevant to the courses we deliver. However, we need to be equally well developed educators with an understanding of how people learn in order to be able to pass these sk...

01/05/2026

A key way to continue to enjoy 'fire safe' wild camping is to emphasise and actively managing good fire safety when using stoves at camp sites.

https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/news/extreme-and-very-high-wildfire-warning-for-whole-of-scotland-central-highlands-and-southern-scotland-from-30-april-2-may-2026/

Factors to Consider for leaders – Fire Risk in the outdoors

Worst-Case Scenario Planning:

Have you considered a worst-case fire scenario during your planning - wind direction etc?
Have you considered multiple ignition points and how this might be influenced by prevailing winds along your proposed route?

Escape and Evacuation:
Are there or have you clearly identified escape routes from each area?
Are there natural firebreaks (e.g. significant water features, cliffs, open ground)? NOTE: fire can 'jump' features so consider that a natural fire break might not be as effective as you think.
Are bodies of water safely accessible as potential safety zones?

Communication:
Do you have reliable communications with other group(s) or base?
Do you have someone or a mechanism for having someone quickly relay emergency information and evacuation instructions?

Vegetation and Fuel Load:
Are there areas of dense, flammable vegetation (e.g. gorse, dry moor)?
Are these near potential ignition sources such as busy car parks or popular tourist spots (risk from BBQs, untended fires etc)?

Human-Caused Risk Factors:
Are there areas at higher risk of deliberate or accidental fire-starting (e.g. near roads, tourist hotspots)?
Can these areas be avoided in route planning?
Emphasising and actively managing good fire safety when using stoves at camp sites.

Stay frosty!

Mountaineering Scotland Mountain Training Mountain Training Association BMC ~Ramblers Scotland

Extreme and Very High wildfire warning for whole of Scotland, Central Highlands and Southern Scotland

28/04/2026

MTS would like to say a big thank you to our partners, providers and staff who have shared their input, advice, feedback and ideas over the past six months. All of this has played an important part in shaping our new Strategic plan, which formally began its development back in May 2025.

Our new strategic plan is now live, and this short news piece gives helpful context to the focus of the new Mountain Training Scotland strategy: to arrive in 2030 still relevant and in good shape, having successfully navigated five years of flux.

Link in comments/

27/04/2026

We have 2 workshops running in May with a few places left on them. Both are being run from Bonaly Scout Centre just off the Edinburgh bypass.

12th May - Decision Making and Leadership in the Outdoors https://mt.tahdah.me/event/detail/1420901

13th May - Delivering impactful learning, becoming a better instructor, coach, outdoor teacher https://mt.tahdah.me/event/detail/1420904

These workshops are a pre requirement to anyone who wants to become a Tutor for the Skills Courses in Scotland, but are also useful to anyone who works in the outdoors. They also count as CPD for the various associations.

More information available in the links.

Mountain Training
Mountain Training Association
Association of Mountaineering Instructors

23/04/2026

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are issuing wildfire warnings across multiple areas of Scotland for the coming weekend 23-26 April 2026). See link below.

https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/news/wildfire-warning-for-western-central-and-eastern-scotland-23-26-april-2026/

Last year I shared the guidance below so as a wee nudge, if you've not already done so (or to review your existing SOPS etc), consider making a risk assessment of the fire hazard and associated mitigation measures.

Also be worth considering being extra vigilant when out on exped re use of stoves etc.

This wee list might help if not you've already done so - its not exhaustive to please feel free to reply if you have any additions please?

Factors to Consider – Fire Risk in the outdoors

Worst-Case Scenario Planning:

Have you considered a worst-case fire scenario during your planning - wind direction etc?

Have you considered multiple ignition points and how this might be influenced by prevailing winds along your proposed route?

Escape and Evacuation:
Are there or have you clearly identified escape routes from each area?

Are there natural firebreaks (e.g. significant water features, cliffs, open ground)? NOTE: fire can 'jump' features so consider that a natural fire break might not be as effective as you think.

Are bodies of water safely accessible as potential safety zones?

Communication:
Do you have reliable communications with other group(s) or base?

Do you have someone or a mechanism for having someone quickly relay emergency information and evacuation instructions?

Vegetation and Fuel Load:
Are there areas of dense, flammable vegetation (e.g. gorse, dry moor)?

Are these near potential ignition sources such as busy car parks or popular tourist spots (risk from BBQs, untended fires etc)?

Human-Caused Risk Factors:
Are there areas at higher risk of deliberate or accidental fire-starting (e.g. near roads, tourist hotspots)?

Can these areas be avoided in route planning?

Emphasising and actively managing good fire safety when using stoves at camp sites.

Stay frosty!

Tioraidh!

Mountain Training Mountain Training Association Mountaineering Scotland Glenmore Lodge British Association of International Mountain Leaders Association of Mountaineering Instructors British Mountain Guides

21/04/2026

Mountain Training will soon take the next step on its journey towards digital certification.