The hills around Ben More Assynt comprise some of the wildest, most remote landscapes in Northwest Scotland. It's the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature, camp under the stars (or clouds), and learn what makes for a Quality Mountain Day. 

This friendly small-group event comprises two full days in the hills with a wild camp in between. This is a peer-led event, with an emphasis on shared planning, decision-making, and navigation in a complex and less familiar mountain environment.

The two hill days may count as Quality Mountain Days (QMDs). Whether they do so will depend on the individual and whether the full QMD criteria are met. Understanding these criteria — and how they apply in practice — is a key focus of the weekend.

WORKSHOP CONTENT & LEARNING OUTCOMES

Pre-weekend planning

Active involvement in planning is a key component of counting an outing as a QMD. Participants will be involved in route choice, leadership considerations, and decision-making ahead of the weekend.

An online planning session will be held approximately two weeks beforehand. During this session we will:

• Discuss potential routes in relation to group experience, ability, and forecast weather

• Consider terrain, remoteness, escape options, and camp locations

• Identify individual learning aims and any peripheral skills or interests people would like to share

There will be scope for discussion around local landscape history, navigation challenges specific to Assynt, and how judgment changes in more remote settings.

The weekend

This workshop offers 2 CPD points, with each day focusing on a distinct area: 

• Navigation – with a particular focus on micro-navigation, leading legs, relocation strategies, and operating confidently in complex terrain.

• Access, conservation, and the environment – participants are strongly encouraged to come prepared with a contribution (for example, on flora, fauna, geology, or land use) linked to their own interests and experience.

Whether one or both days count as a QMD will depend on the individual, their role within the group, and whether all criteria are met. This event does not guarantee QMDs, but provides a supported environment to explore what constitutes a QMD and how to evidence it appropriately. These discussions will form a natural part of the learning throughout the weekend.

LOCATION 

The event will be based in the Inchnadamph / Assynt area. Exact start point, overnight camp, and finish will be agreed during the planning phase. 

EQUIPMENT/KIT REQUIRED

Participants should plan for two days and one night wild camping in NW Scotland, with kit appropriate to the season, terrain, and forecast weather. 

WORKSHOP PROVIDER CREDENTIALS

Monica Shaw is a Mountain Leader based near Lochinver and the Volunteer Regional Coordinator for the MTA in the Northwest Highlands. Through her business Eat Sleep Wild, she runs inclusive guided hikes, wild camping adventures, and dark sky experiences. Note that this is a peer-led event, so all members will be responsible for themselves on the hill. 

CANCELLATION PROCEDURE

This event is free for MTA members. There are limited places available, if you do book and your situation changes, please let me know as soon as possible.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE EVENT

Your CPD record - If you attend this event and it counts as CPD, your CPD point/s will automatically be added to your record in due course - you will not need to add it yourself.

Please allow up to 2 weeks for the workshop provider to complete the event in the system and assign you your CPD, thank you.

Start

16/05/2026

End

17/05/2026

Total Days

2

Maximum Bookings

5

Bookings

2

Venue

Inchnadamph Car Park

Town

Lairg

County

Highland Council

Postcode

IV27 4HL

Country

United Kingdom

Location

58.14846,-4.97318

Name

Mountain Training Association

Phone

07858046739

Website

Email