Day 1, Saturday 24th March and Day 2, Sunday 25th March 2018. Meet at 10am in the car park beside the Falkland Library, Back Wynd, Falkland, Fife KY15 7BX NNAS Silver navigator award is a National standard recognised by Mountain Training, Glenmore Lodge, British Orienteering and and has recently been officially accredited by the Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework (SCQF) at Level 4. It follows on from the hugely popular Bronze award by introducing compass bearings and map contours. Although it is recommended that you have completed the NNAS Bronze prior to this course, it is not a requirement and will depend on your previous experience. This is a twelve hour course held over two six hour days which includes the assessment in the second half of day two. On successful completion of the award you will be able to relate small hills, prominent re-entrants and spurs to their corresponding map contours. Measure distance by timing and pacing. Use a compass to accurately follow a bearing, aim off, check the direction of handrails and other linear features. These are predominantly outdoor, practical days, there is no planned classroom work involved, please dress and equip yourself for a day on the hills and bring any food and drink you may need. Please bring a suitable compass of a type similar to a Silva type 4 marked with degrees. I will provide relevant maps. A certificate of competence will be issued to those who complete the course assessment. The cost of the two day, 12 hour course, is £85 per person http://www.kingdomguides.co.uk/product/nnas-silver-navigation Places are limited to six only, please book via my website, quickly, to avoid disappointment.

Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July 2018. Meeting in the car park opposite the Cluanie Inn, IV63 7YW on the A87 at 0830 on Saturday June 30th 2018. Back due to popular demand, a return trip to the beautiful area of Kintail. The Harvey British Mountain Map for Knoydart, Kintail and Glen Affric shows a hillwalkers paradise with 43 Munros, 21 Corbetts and the 113m high Falls of Glomach on one sheet. Truly an area for the Munro Bagger if ever there was one. Add to this the stunning scenery on the drive into the area on the Road to the Isles and you have a recipe for a spectacular weekend in a magical area. With so much to choose from, it's always going to be challenging to pick just two routes. For this weekend, I intend to choose from the following, depending on the group dynamic and the weather on the day:- The seven Munros of the South Glen Shiel ridge, Malagan Bridge to the public bar in the Cluanie Inn. A classic walk. The Forcan ridge, and two Munros The Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine from Malagan Bridge (grade one scramble on the Forcan Ridge - hands will be required) The Three Brothers of Kintail, all Munros The Cluanie five. My description given to the group of Carn Ghluasaid, Sgurr nan Conbhairean, A'Chralaig, Sail Chaorainn and Mullach Fraoch-choire which all lie to the North of Loch Cluanie and contain the biggest hills in the area. A huge, exhilarating, 12 hour day. All level 3 to 4 walks in big mountain areas that should not be underestimated. A high degree of fitness will be required to tackle all of the routes, if in doubt, please contact me in advance. Previous clients have enjoyed a variety of accommodation in the area at the Kintail Hotel, which also has two small bunkhouses. There is a camp site at nearby Shiel Bridge and the National Trust for Scotland Kintail Outdoor Centre has 5 rooms in nearby Morvich. The Cluanie Inn with both Hotel and Clubhouse accommodation can also be used as a base. Ratagan Youth Hostel is also an option, just a few miles from the Kintail and Glen Shiel area. If booking at a SYHA, use my code King-18 for a 10% discount. The Cluanie Inn, Shiel Bridge and the Kintail Hotel are all on the main A87 road and well served by Scottish Citylink bus services from Glasgow to Skye. Please contact me in advance if you have any questions or concerns. Cost of this two day guided weekend trip is only £100. Maximum group size is 8. Book your place now on my website at http://www.kingdomguides.co.uk/product/kintail-weekend

Home this weekend working on an NNAS Bronze Navigation course in the Lomonds above Falkland, a mere 250m elevation but just as snowy and challenging underfoot as many a Munro this weekend I guess. Great group having fun in the snow learning about handrails, catchment features, how to judge distance and use timing and pacing. Well done on passing, looking forward to seeing you all on a Silver course soon.

Saturday 24th February 2018 meeting at 0830. A Grade 1 winter climb with a total distance of 17 km, usually taking between 10 and 12 hours, depending on the snow conditions Given the time of year we are planning on this being a winter mountaineering day and you will need to be prepared with crampons, ice axe, head torch and goggles, as well as appropriate clothing and adequate food\water. See the 'What do I need?' page at the link on my website for more information. Please also be aware that winter mountaineering requires a higher level of fitness than summer hillwalking. Contact me in advance of the day if you have any questions. B2 boots, ice axe and crampons can be hired from outdoor shops such as Tiso and Nevisport. This is a fantastic route, highly recommended. There are a variety of accommodation options available in Fort William including Hostels, B&B and Hotels. Buses and trains are frequent from the Central Belt. We will meet at 0830 in front of the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre, Glen Nevis, PH33 6PF before driving round to our start point at Torlundy. Cost is only £50 per person (maximum group size is 6) Book your place now on my website at http://www.kingdomguides.co.uk/product/cmd-winter

Sunday 22nd April 2018, starting at 09:30 am. A 10.5 km walk taking between 5 and 6 hours. Due to the phenomenal demand for the Beginners Day being held on the 21st, we're duplicating the event on Sunday 22nd. This is a level 2 walk and ideal for those starting out and looking for some coaching in the basics. A day for you to ask lots of questions and to get a feel for the mountains. Despite its height of 1,214m, Ben Lawers is a straightforward mountain to ascend. It has an excellent path which winds it's way up through some lovely scenery and it is well suited to those tackling their first few Munros. This is a chance to get out into the hills, to see and feel why it is such a joy to be outdoors in the Scottish wilderness. You'll meet like minded people, spend some time understanding the basics, including, what to wear, what to carry, how to walk on uneven terrain. There will be a chance to see how a map and compass work as well as basic GPS. Then enjoy a few hours walking up Ben Lawers with it's stunning views of Loch Tay and the Perthshire countryside. We will meet in the car park at the McLaren Hall, Main Street, Killin, FK21 8UW at 09:30 before driving the last few miles together to the NTS car park which is off the A827 near Mornish on the Glen Lyon road. The car park has an elevation of about 430m which gives a high starting point for this walk. Beinn Ghlas, another Munro at 1,103m, may be passed on the way to Ben Lawers, depending on our route. We will finish our day in the Killin Hotel for a light refreshment and a blether. Those wishing to stay over in the area might be interested in the following accommodation, as used by clients in the past. killin-hotel.com benlawershotel.co.uk or breadalbanehouse.com Book your trip now by logging on to my website at http://www.kingdomguides.co.uk/product/beginners-on-ben-lawers Cost is only £25 per person (maximum group size is 10)

This weekend has been spent on a Practical Winter Skills in Coire an t-Sneachda, Cairngorms. Working on the basics for safe travel in winter conditions we started with the weather forecast, the SAIS avalanche prediction and then devised a route that would keep us safe. We practised kicking steps, cutting steps with the edge of the boot and with the ice axe and walking safely on steep ground. The winds were fierce, so we had to keep moving to keep warm. Some crampon practise on the flat ice before finishing off with everyone’s favourite, ice axe arrest. Then into Café Cas at the ski centre for a de-brief and a hot cup of coffee before saying our goodbyes and hitting the road home. Great weekend, thanks to everyone for making it so much fun. Next two day Winter Skills weekend of 10th Feb - http://www.kingdomguides.co.uk/product/Febwinterskills

A weekend in Aviemore saw us in the clag on the Fiacaill Ridge Saturday and then into Coire an t-Sneachda in the cold but gorgeous sunshine to practise some winter skills on and around the flat ice on Sunday.

What's a couple of lads to do when they have a spare day? Head up to Aviemore of course, full cooked breakfast in town before tramping around Sneachda and up onto Fiacaill Buttress before scampering round the top for coffee and cake at the ski centre.

Saturday 21st April 2018, starting at 09:30 am. A 10.5 km walk taking between 5 and 6 hours. This is a level 2 walk and ideal for those starting out and looking for some coaching in the basics. A day for you to ask lots of questions and to get a feel for the mountains. Despite its height of 1,214m, Ben Lawers is a straightforward mountain to ascend. It has an excellent path which winds it's way up through some lovely scenery and it is well suited to those tackling their first few Munros. This is a chance to get out into the hills, to see and feel why it is such a joy to be outdoors in the Scottish wilderness. You'll meet like minded people, spend some time understanding the basics, including, what to wear, what to carry, how to walk on uneven terrain. There will be a chance to see how a map and compass work as well as basic GPS. Then enjoy a few hours walking up Ben Lawers with it's stunning views of Loch Tay and the Perthshire countryside. We will meet in the car park at the McLaren Hall, Main Street, Killin, FK21 8UW at 09:30 before driving the last few miles together to the NTS car park which is off the A827 near Mornish on the Glen Lyon road. The car park has an elevation of about 430m which gives a high starting point for this walk. Beinn Ghlas, another Munro at 1,103m, may be passed on the way to Ben Lawers, depending on our route. We will finish our day in the Killin Hotel for a light refreshment and a blether. Those wishing to stay over in the area might be interested in the following accommodation, as used by clients in the past. killin-hotel.com benlawershotel.co.uk or breadalbanehouse.com Book your trip now by logging on to my website at http://www.kingdomguides.co.uk/product/beginners-day-ben-lawers Cost is only £25 per person (maximum group size is 10)

Sunday 4th February 2018 at 0830. A level 3 walk of about 12k taking between 6 and 8 hours. Ben More and Stob Binnein are accessed from close to Ben More farm on the A85 and are a particularly steep ascent\descent. Their location on the A85 usually means they are easily accessible for a winter walk. The views from the summit are excellent, with Ben Lui prominent to the west and Ben Lawers to the east. Given the time of year this is very likely going to be a winter mountaineering day and you will need to be prepared with crampons, ice axe, head torch and goggles, as well as appropriate clothing and adequate food\water. See the 'What do I need?' page from the link above for more information. Please also be aware that winter mountaineering requires a higher level of fitness than summer hillwalking. Contact me in advance of the day if you have any questions. B2 boots, ice axe and crampons can be hired from outdoor shops such as Tiso and Nevisport. We will meet at the public car park opposite the Rod and Reel pub, Main Street, Crianlarich, FK20 8QN at 0830 for a kit check before moving to the start of the walk. Those wishing to stay over in the area might be interested in the following accommodation, as used by clients in the past. www.ben-more.co.uk www.crainlarich-hotel.co.uk or the Youth Hostel where you can receive a 10% discount on your stay by using the code King-18 Cost is only £30 per person (maximum group size is 6) Book your place now on my website at http://www.kingdomguides.co.uk/product/ben-more-winter

Saturday 3rd February 2018, starting at 0830 This is a level 3 walk with a distance of 14km and about 1,000m of ascent. It will take between 6 and 8 hours to complete both of these Munros. This is a lovely walk with some good views of Long Lomond and the surrounding area. There are good paths and an interesting ridge feature on An Caisteal called Twisted Hill which we have to weave our way through. Given the time of year this is very likely going to be a winter mountaineering day and you will need to be prepared with crampons, ice axe, head torch and goggles, as well as appropriate clothing and adequate food\water. See the 'What do I need?' page from the link above for more information. Please also be aware that winter mountaineering requires a higher level of fitness than summer hillwalking. Contact me in advance of the day if you have any questions. B2 boots, ice axe and crampons can be hired from outdoor shops such as Tiso and Nevisport. We will meet at the public car park opposite Rod and Reel pub, Main Street, Crianlarich, FK20 8QN at 0830 for a kit check before moving to the start of the walk. Those wishing to stay over in the area might be interested in the following accommodation, as used by clients in the past. www.ben-more.co.uk www.crainlarich-hotel.co.uk or the Youth Hostel where you can receive a 10% discount on your stay by using the code King-18 Cost is only £30 per person (maximum group size is 6) Book your place on this trip now at http://www.kingdomguides.co.uk/product/an-caisteal-winter

Small group on the Black Mount today from Victoria Bridge. We went early to get in and out before storm Eleanor arrived with her wind and big dump of snow. Surprisingly mild on the summit.