Upcoming courses which support the delivery of Duke Of Edinburgh within Aberdeenshire Council. To make a booking please email awards@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
2 day Lowhills course
Next course will be held over 2 Sundays on 8th & 22nd March 2026.
The Lowhills training scheme is aimed at Morayshire, Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Council staff & formally enrolled volunteers who wish to take groups of up to 8 hillwalking & back-packing in NE Scotland beyond 300m height, up to a maximum of 600m. The prerequisite for the course is submission of a log of hillwalking experience listing 20 hillwalks. More details can be found here.
Contact awards@aberdeenshire.gov.uk asap to be sent a blank logbook or to discuss the prerequisites with a tutor.
Cost: £165 Locations: Sir Arthur Grant Outdoor Centre, Monymusk & on Bennachie
1 day Lowhills Update course
Next course will be Sunday 15th March 2026
This 1 day course is required every 5 years after completing the initial 2 day Lowhills course. This practical course takes place on the hill and is an opportunity to share best practise, review emergency procedures and practise advanced navigation skills.
Cost: £85 Location: Sir Arthur Grant Outdoor Centre, Monymusk & on Bennachie
1 day Lowhills Gateway course
Early summer 2026- contact awards@aberdeenshire.gov.uk to express an interest
The Lowhills Gateway is open to the general public. This course is an introduction to hillwalking- topics covered include basic navigation, equipment & clothing, lightweight camping skills and emergency procedures.
The course is also aimed at those Aberdeenshire staff & formally recruited volunteers who wish to lead a group walking & or camping in terrain below 300m, and those who aspire to join Aberdeenshire Council’s Lowhills Scheme but lack the hill experience & navigation skills to confidently accrue the required 20 days hill walking experience.
Cost: £85 Location: in the hills around Glen Dye
2 day BASP 1st Aid courses
Courses arranged as required- contact awards@aberdeenshire.gov.uk to express an interest
Outdoor emergency first aid training suitable for UK National Governing Body awards. Delivered by the British Association of Ski Patrols, valid for 3 years
Cost: £160.00 per person for 2 day course. Location: Sir Arthur Grant Outdoor Centre, Monymusk
To join or express an interest in any of these courses, please contact awards@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
DofE Aberdeenshire 