Courses
The Firbush specialised skills courses are ideal for people who want to take their passion to the next level.
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Winter courses
All our winter courses include instruction on a 1:6 or 1:4 ratio depending on the course. Hire and use of all technical equipment and clothing you may require is included, as will be an evening lecture on avalanche awareness and route planning.
To maximise learning time on the hill and daylight hours we offer all our winter courses on a self-catering basis. Accommodation will be in our comfortable and well-equipped self-catering lodges, with your course peers. There is a well-stocked cooperative in Killin and a number of pubs serving evening meals. Our staff can provide further information should it be required.
You will have full access to our bar area and equipment drying facilities.
Course aim
Through two days of guided walks, this course aims to give the summer hill walker an experience of the Scottish mountains in winter. If weather and conditions allow we will aim to summit a major local peak each day.
Course content
The aim is to journey in the mountains and we will provide you with all the appropriate technical equipment & clothing required to complete your day safely. As time and conditions allow our staff will aim to include guests as much as possible in the planning and preparation for each day. Whilst out on the hill staff will cover any winter and hill skills necessary to make travel safe and effective.
Accommodation & Faculties
Accommodation will be in our cosy self-catering lodges sharing with peers from your course. You will have access to our drying facilities and onsite bar.
Pre-requisites
A summer hill walker and fit enough to spend two full days in the mountain environment.
Dates
Friday 17 to Sunday 19 February 2023
Course aim
This two-day course aims to take the summer hill walker and give them the foundation skills to become a competent winter hill walker. The focus is very much on building a knowledge and skill base rather than summiting named peaks, although this is likely to also happen.
Course content
We will provide you with all the appropriate technical equipment and clothing required for the course. As much as conditions allow staff will look to cover the following over the two days:
- Navigation
- Movement skills include boot, ice axe and crampon use.
- Avalanche awareness and route planning.
- Emergency skills
Accommodation & Faculties
Accommodation will be in our cosy self-catering lodges sharing with peers from your course. You will have access to our drying facilities and onsite bar.
Pre-requisites
An experienced summer hill walker and fit enough to spend two full days in the mountain environment.
Dates
Friday 10 to Sunday 12 March 2023
Are you looking for a gentle guided introduction to Scottish winter walking? Or are you looking for the experience of bagging a winter peak rather than a focused skills course?
Either way, our guided winter walking adventure days are a great way to experience the winter hills in a manner that suits you. Please get in touch for more details.
Duration: 1 day
Dates: Please contact us for suitable dates
What you will experience:
You will spend the day on a mountain journey with one of our experienced and qualified mountain leaders. You will be given all technical equipment and instruction in any skills or techniques required to make the day safe and enjoyable. Some soft equipment such as jackets, gloves, hats and boots can be supplied if required.
We will aim to pitch the day at your level of experience and fitness. However please note that this is not a 1-day winter skills course and our Instructors will only cover any technical skills relevant to the conditions on the day.
Firbush May Course Weekend
Are you looking to develop skills in new a sport or progress from your current level in a chosen area? Join us for our skills course weekend in May and choose the course that suits you!
The courses will run from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon and are full board with accommodation in the main building. You will have access to our drying room and bar area. All the courses are delivered by our qualified instructors and may include some theoretical sessions in the evenings.
This year the Skills Course Weekend will be running from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 May 2023.
The courses are suitable for anyone 16 years or older.
This course is ideal for those with some previous experience and looking to become skilled and independent paddlers. Using the British Canoeing syllabuses, our qualified and experienced instructors will help you in deciding which award will be most beneficial.
Focusing on developing personal skills in a chosen craft, the course will also cover:
- Selecting and effectively using equipment for the planned environment.
- Decision-making, understanding factors that will affect your paddling and basic safety considerations.
- Leadership in an informal setting.
- Experience different locations/environments over the two days.
To make the most of this course some previous experience in paddle sports is desirable.
This course will suit total beginners or those who are keen to learn more following a taster session or two.
Over the two days, we will introduce and teach the fundamentals of windsurfing. At the end of the course you should be able to select the right equipment and in light winds confidently sail to a chosen point.
Previous experience is not required for this course.
Qualified and experienced instructors deliver all our RYA courses.
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The aim of this course is to get you sailing competently in light winds under supervision.
By the end of the course, you should be able to confidently sail in all directions and have an awareness of how to launch and recover your chosen craft.
No previous experience is necessary for attending this course.
Qualified and experienced instructors deliver all our RYA courses.
Building on the level 1 course syllabus. This course will really equip you with the foundations of sailing. On completion, you should be able to sail in all directions in light to moderate winds. In addition to the level 1 skills, the course will cover capsize recovery, safety knowledge and help in developing good decision-making skills.
This course will be pitched assuming you have completed a level 1 course or have experience at that level.
Qualified and experienced instructors deliver all our RYA courses.
This two-day course is ideal for hill walkers of all abilities looking to develop their navigation skills. Using the National Navigation Award Scheme structure, we aim to give you the confidence and knowledge to navigate in the simple open ground off the path.
Some previous navigation experience will allow you to get the most out of the course. However as we will start with the fundamentals of navigation, experience is not a prerequisite. We just need you to have the enthusiasm to learn and the fitness to spend two full days in the mountain environment.
The course will be delivered by an experienced mountain leader and qualified NNAS tutor.
Prices for all Courses (Full board and accommodation)
UoE Student: £200
UoE Staff/alumni: £225
Non-UoE: £250
Powerboat Instruction
Staffed by our experienced Powerboat Instructors this course gives you the chance to gain your RYA powerboat level 2 qualification.
With 3 Ribs available for use and a range of wind and paddle craft, Firbush is a perfect location to gain experience whilst qualifying.
Course content includes launching and recovery, boat handling, towing, securing to a buoy, anchoring, leaving and coming alongside and man overboard.
We aim for you to leave the course a self-sufficient Powerboater, aware of your own limitations and of your craft and the prevailing conditions.
This course is run upon request and currently for over 16’s only.