01254 704898    oas@altadv.co.uk

National Navigation Award Scheme Courses

The NNAS is designed for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds from Schools/ Youth Organisations through to committed mountaineers, walkers, ramblers, mountain bikers, etc. The scheme has 3 levels to motivate participants to develop their navigational skills in the great outdoors. Maps and compass are provided. Hills and Mountain around Newtonmore.

Level 1 Bronze – 2 Days

Provides the candidates with the basic skills of map selection, symbol interpretation, scale, orientation, use of handrails, distance estimation, compass skills, planning and safety procedures. This course is run as training and assessment.

The course is delivered by members of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors AMI.

Fee: £120 inc. VAT per person.

Level 2 Silver – 2 Days

Provides the candidate with the skills to use attack points, aiming off, use coarse and fine navigation, step counting as accurate distance estimation, relocation and understanding the effects of the environment on the route choice.  This course is run as training and assessment.

The course is delivered by members of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors AMI.

Fee: £120 inc. VAT per person.

Level 3 Gold – Training - 2 Days

Provides consolidation of the Level 1 & 2 skills, plus use of macro and micro compass skill, contouring skills, distance calculations. This is a two day training course.
The assessment is undertaken following a consolidation period. Assessment is a one day course.

This course is delivered by members of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors AMI.


Fee: £132 inc. VAT per person. 

Level 3 Gold – Assessment – 1 Day

Fee: £90 inc. VAT per person.

What do you need?
Below is an outline of what you'll need for our general hill and mountain walking days. The equipment to be appropriate to the conditions and time of year. You will need a rucksack no larger than 60li.

Clothing and footwear
Footwear, to be firm souled, with good ankle support
Waterproofs jacket and overtrousers, which can ideally act as a windproof layer. Base layer, wicking top, a cotton is not recommended. Mid layer, fleece or jumper. Trousers, tracksters or hill / mountain walking trousers, not jeans. Extremities, gloves several pairs wind proof and or waterproof, hat and/or buff. Spare clothing, at least another fleece/thermal and gloves 

Food, drink and other additional kit
Survival bag (big plastic bag), whistle, torch (plus spare batteries), Small personal first aid kit, (with Compeed), any personal medication, midge repellent.
A compass and appropriate map the OS 1:50,000 Landranger fine for most Scottish hills. Mobile phone, Food for the day and some extra energy food for emergencies. Hot drink, energy drink or fluid in a refillable flask or other container.