NNAS Bronze Award, 2-day course in Inverness (Scotland)

Welcome to Inverness, the capital of the stunning Scottish highlands region. If you want to learn outdoor navigation then this beautiful location is perfect. Come and obtain your NNAS Bronze award!

In this NNAS (National Navigation Award Scheme) course I will teach you how to find your way around the countryside using paths, tracks and other linear features.

This course will get you familiar with all the fundamentals. It is perfect if you’ve been walking for many years but rely on books or advice from people, or equally if you’re completely new to the outdoor life!

Specifically I will cover:

• How to navigate using a variety of maps and scales

• How to use 4 and 6 figure grid references

• How to orientate the map with/without the compass, and use it to confirm direction of travel

• How to use linear features (e.g. paths, tracks, clear boundaries) as handrails in simple navigation exercises

• How to relate prominent landforms such as large hills and valleys to corresponding contour information on the map

• How to use clearly identifiable features to confirm position along the route and to recognise when the target has been overshot

• How to measure horizontal distance on the map and estimate distance on the ground using timing, pacing and simple visual judgements e.g.100m

• How to plan and implement simple routes and navigation strategies based on the above skills

• How to recognise a navigation error within a few minutes and apply simple relocation techniques

• How to demonstrate an awareness of appropriate safety equipment, emergency procedures as well as access issues

This course is conducted over two days and includes a minimum of 12-hours teaching time. The second day will involve an assessment to measure your new found skills and knowledge.

On successful completion of this assessment you will obtain the Bronze NNAS Award. This award is accredited by the Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework (SCQF) at level 4 (2 SCQF credit points awarded). You can proudly add this award to your CV to demonstrate personal proficiency.

Additionally, this course is perfect for Duke of Edinburgh students, scouts, guides and cadets who would like to further develop their outdoor skills and obtain an award.

This course is open to everyone with a reasonable level of fitness and children aged 12 and also welcome as long as they are accompanied by their parent or guardian.

If you want to learn how to navigate in the great outdoors and to do so in a beautiful landscape then sign up now and it will be my pleasure to share this knowledge and environment with you!

If you don’t have 2-days but want to get out there and on the hills navigating then check out this 1-day course of navigational skills near Inverness!