Girlguiding Scotland walking scheme level 2 training & assessment weekend

Are you ready to get out and about and stretch your legs? We are delighted to let you know that you can reserve a space for our level 2 walking training and assessment weekend in the autumn, please fill out the form below.

When: 5.00pm Friday 26 September –  mid afternoon Sunday 28 September 2025, plus a pre-meeting Zoom call may be arranged with the candidates.
Where: Bonaly Scout Centre, Bonaly Road, Edinburgh, EH13 0PB
Cost: £25 for Girlguiding Scotland members, please get in touch if you want to book from outside of Scotland.
Contact: ann-marie@girlguiding-scot.org.uk

Who is it for?

This training is open to all members of Girlguiding aged 18+ who would like to:

• Extend their walking skills and improve navigation techniques
• Learn how to lead Girlguiding groups safely in the hills
• Work towards gaining a qualification having done DofE or Queen’s Guide expeditions
• Move to level 2 after completing level 1

To start at level 2 you should have undertaken 6 walks in any type of country of which:

• 1 should have been at least 6 km or 4 miles
• 3 should have taken place in the last 3 years
• 2 walks should have been in open country

If you are interested but are unsure if your prior experience is suitable, please get in touch and we can discuss with you

What will the weekend involve?

The training will cover the main topics of the practical and theoretical sessions of the walking scheme, including:

• Route planning
• Navigational techniques
• Group management
• Hazards and risk assessment
• Day, micro and low visibility navigation

Assessment

If you plan on booking onto the assessment, you must have completed the level 2 walking training on a previous weekend and have agreed with your mentor that you are ready to complete the assessment before booking. Please get in touch with Kathryn if you have any questions regarding if you are ready to complete the assessment.

The course will involve some intense physical activities and being out in all weather conditions.

Accommodation

Accommodation is in bunks. Details on what you may need to bring regarding bedding will be provided on booking. You will need to bring towels and slippers, no outdoor shoes are allowed inside.

Arrival at the venue

You should arrive around 5.00pm on Friday evening. Registration is from 5.00pm to 5.30pm, followed by dinner and introductions. The main training won’t start until after dinner but the time before dinner will allow the participants to get to know each other and chat with the trainers and assessors about log books and previous walking experience.

Covid-19 Measures

Please note, you must be willing to follow any Covid-19 measurements put in place to protect all attending.

Additional Information

Once you have booked your place later in the year, you will receive further information from the course directors about the training/assessment and what to bring. Some outdoor equipment is available to borrow.

Please note, this venue doesn’t permitted dogs on site apart from assistance dogs.

If you have any queries about the course content or want to know more before booking, please email Kathryn our walking adviser on:

kathryn@girlguiding-scot.org.uk

Register your interest 

If you are interested in attending the course, you can register your interest by filling out the form below. Please indicate if you would like to take part in the training or the assessment, this will allow the trainers and assessors plan in advance. You will also get the option to book onto the course 48 hours before it is opened to everyone.

Pre-registration will close on Sunday, 1 June and booking for the course will open to everyone Monday, 9 June.

You cannot book onto both the training and assessment – these must be completed on separate weekends.