Survival Courses – Aviemore

Our Summer Survival Courses in Scotland run from March to the end of October and take place in the Cairngorms National Park – the largest National Park in Europe and one of Britain’s last true wildernesses – and in Northern Perthshire – the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. All summer courses are run as multi-environmental and cover a wide range of terrains from Boreal woodlands to mountainous and hillside, providing you with a more rounded experience in a range of techniques.

You can book your summer course now with our online booking system, please check course dates for availability. Once you have booked your course you will receive an email confirming the course and payment details. Remember to download the available resources for your course and bring them with you when you start.

We have a range of courses to suit everyone, for more information on our Summer Survival Courses in Scotland please do contact us.

 

 

Introductory Survival Course £180.00

The Overview for the Introductory Survival Course includes the following:


The prospect of staying out overnight in an emergency shelter which you have constructed from materials carried or found brings a serious element to this course, there is also a certain amount of mental stamina needed to complete the course. The emphasis is on staying out of the elements whilst working through PLAN-M. Individual fitness for this course must be of a sufficient level as you will be working hard over the two days. You will be introduced to a number of Survival models and priorities including PLAN – M, Survival pyramid and the rule of 3’s.

Backcountry Survival Ltd also provides the Landbased Survival Instructor Award course which will train and assess individuals and instructors who are looking to gain formal recognition within the Survival field. Please visit our Survival Training page for more information.

 

Difficulty Rating

The Itinerary for the Introductory Survival Course includes the following:


Principles & Priorities of Survival

PLAN-M

Survival Triangle

Survival kits & Equipment selection including clothing and planning for trips

Cutting tools and safe handling

Protection
Protection from the elements and further harm:

Shelter

  • Emergency shelters, what to carry and how to use it including site selection & safety;
  • Basic knots;
  • Natural bedding and insulation;
  • Introduction to natural shelters for long term survival;
  • Integration of fire into the shelter.

Fire-Lighting

  • Ignition sources;
  • Fuel selection;
  • Wood choices, fire-lays and when to use them;
  • Lighting in wet weather.

Location
Attracting Rescue , Location Action Plan.

  • Attract, Hold and Direct;
  • Equipment and uses;
  • Search and Rescue Services.

Acquisition
Water

  • Theory;
  • Filters – Improvised and commercial.

Food

  • Game preparation;
  • The law with trapping.

Navigation

  • Introduction to map & compass;
  • Natural Navigation methods – Sun, stars and moon.
Date Time Spaces Price Book
12 April 2025 09:30 - 16:00 1 £180 Book Now
7 June 2025 09:30 - 16:00 8 £180 Book Now
26 July 2025 09:30 - 16:00 11 £180 Book Now
23 August 2025 09:30 - 16:00 11 £180 Book Now
13 September 2025 09:30 - 16:00 12 £180 Book Now
11 October 2025 09:30 - 16:00 9 £180 Book Now

Please download these resources for your information


Intermediate Survival Course £250.00

The Overview for the Intermediate Survival Course includes the following:


The multi-day course is multi-environment. A Group moving from one camp to another

Due to the prolonged time out in the wilderness, weather factors and the long hours spent learning, a good level of physical fitness and mental stamina is required. This course is run in areas where there is no one for miles around.

Where we primarily focus on Survival, there is adequate time to brush up on your “Bushcraft” skills, as these techniques compliment survival and provide added levels of comfort to your experience . For more information on Course content be sure to click “Itinerary”.

Backcountry Survival Ltd also provides the Landbased Survival Instructor Award course which will train and assess individuals and instructors who are looking to gain formal recognition within the Survival field. Please visit our Survival Training page for more information.

Difficulty Rating

The Itinerary for the Intermediate Survival Course includes the following:


Principles and Priorities of Survival

Survival Pyramid

PLAN-M

Kit and Equipment

Cutting tools including handling safety

Protection
Protection from the elements and further harm:

Shelter

  • Improvised emergency shelters;
  • Thermal A-frame, Lean-to;
  • Bedding and insulation with natural materials;
  • Integration of fire into shelter;
  • Improving your shelter;
  • Sleeping systems – why and when.

Fire

  • Ignition sources (natural & man-made);
  • Tinder man-made vs natural;
  • Getting the most from your fire;
  • Tinder production;
  • Fire lays.

Location
Attracting Rescue – Attract, Hold and Direct

  • Smoke/Fire signal;
  • Torch/Whistle;
  • Beacons/Strobes;
  • Ground to Air signals;
  • Passive methods of signalling.

Acquisition

Water

  • Finding water sources;
  • Treating water;
  • Man-made and improvised filters;
  • Water purification methods;
  • Water management

Food

  • Wild edibles (seasonal)
  • The law and trapping.

Navigation

  • Map and compass – Setting a map to the ground;
  • Bearings and contour appreciation;
  • Timing and pacing including micro nav;
  • Natural Navigation – Sun, stars and moon.

 

Date Time Spaces Price Book
11 April 2025 09:30 - 16:00 7 £250 Book Now
6 June 2025 09:30 - 16:00 10 £250 Book Now
25 July 2025 09:30 - 16:00 12 £250 Book Now
22 August 2025 09:30 - 16:00 11 £250 Book Now
12 September 2025 09:30 - 16:00 12 £250 Book Now
10 October 2025 09:30 - 16:00 12 £250 Book Now

Please download these resources for your information


Advanced Survival Course £450.00

The Overview for the Advanced Survival Course includes the following:


 

 

 

The basis of the course is for the individuals to use the skills that they have learned and practiced on our introductory and intermediate survival courses as well as individual CPD. This also includes those individuals that have completed courses with other providers. Ideally this is not a course for those with no experience due to the time that is required to be proficient enough to benefit and enjoy, however please contact us if you require more information. The first part will be a revision session for those who have attended courses or other training before. Students will then go into an exercise phase following a real-life survival scenario.

Individuals will be limited to a set number of items as well as given minimum information to allow seclusion and will be regularly visited by instructors to ensure everything is okay. There will be emergency equipment with each person including walkies talkie communications.

Due to the prolonged time out in the wilderness, weather factors and the long hours spent learning, a good level of physical fitness and mental stamina is required.

This course is run in areas where there is no one for miles around, and is ran primarily in woodland areas.

This course is open to people who have attended courses with us before and want to put to practice their survival skills in a challenging environment. It is also open to people who haven’t attended one of our courses but have some level of experience and wish to take part in a challenging course that will see them learn some skills and knowledge and then put it to practice. This will be a lot more challenging physically and mentally than our Intermediate Survival Course.

If you want to test your survival skills and knowledge then this is the challenge for you.

Difficulty Rating

The Itinerary for the Advanced Survival Course includes the following:


1st Day will see the attendees go over revision of the Survival Priorities with a night out included. The rest of the course will follow a hands-on survival scenario covering the following:

Principles and Priorities of Survival

Survival Pyramid

PLAN-M

Equipment considerations for travel in the wilds or a foreign environment.

Protection
Protection from the elements and further harm:

Shelter

  • Improvised or man-made will depend on what resources you have or find.

Fire – PLEASE NOTE THAT AT TIMES THERE WILL BE FIRE RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE WHICH ARE OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTROL.

  • Using fire in a survival setting.

Location
Attracting Rescue – Attract, Hold and Direct

  • The ultimate aim is to be rescued but also being mentally prepared for disappointment.

Acquisition

Water

  • Finding water sources;
  • Treating water;
  • Water management

Food

  • Sourcing wild edibles for a survival situation utilising all resources available.

Navigation

  • Navigating around remote areas to safe ground.
  • The safe crossing of obstacles and route selection.
Date Time Spaces Price Book
4 June 2025 09:30 - 16:00 6 £450 Book Now
10 September 2025 09:30 - 16:00 5 £450 Book Now