Backcountry Survival - Bushcraft and Survival Courses

I did the 3 day multi environment survival course at weekend and had an amazing time. The course exceeded exceeded my expectations, I learnt loads and enjoyed every minute. I feel more confident now that I have the knowledge, skills, tools in my rucksack and what resources are around me when I am out going up and down Munros and generally out in the wild. A massive thank you to Derek, Abi and Graham who ran the course. Their knowledge, experience and the great mix of theory and practical examples was perfect. Would highly recommend this course to anyone who spends time outdoors. On top of all this I really enjoyed the 3 days and putting in to practice what I had learnt. I hope I don't need to use some of what I have learnt but if the need arises I know it might save my life or those I am with. Lots of what I learnt I have already used to amend my kit list or cant wait to put into practice on my next trip.

Brilliant 2 day winter survival course. Packed with in-depth and also wide ranging knowledge and skills. I felt like i’d been gone a week due to how much we’d managed to learn in a short space of time. I travelled from Belgium for the course (ferry to Newcastle from Amsterdam) and it was well worth it, so if you live closer than this - get yourself on the course. I turned up v unprepared (due to various life events just prior) and whilst feeling out of my depth early on I managed to get through successfully - this is to say that you can turn up as a beginner and unprepared and be okay.

I would highly recommend the foraging course. Tania and colleagues were very helpful.Wilderness foraging is one of those skills that would be very difficult to learn as a beginner without hands on support. I am very glad to have found this course after friend's recommendation after looking for something similar for many years.It was a surprisingly gentle course and I could imaging it being suitable to pretty much all fitness levels and families looking for a more exciting weekend outings.

I had a lovely weekend at Backcountry Survival and picked up some brilliant tips and tricks for when out in the woods/ wild.Derick and Graham were brilliant and I felt very comfortable around them, they created a welcoming atmosphere and learning space so I found it easy to settle in and absorb the knowledge and skills taught.

Just attended the family survival course with my 2 kids 4 & 5, it was suck good fun for them they absolutely loved it and I can’t thanks the 2 instructors enough especially sally for helping me by taking and showing her the stuff being tought so I could focus on my boisterous 4 year old.This is also my second course with them I done 2 day survival course January 2022 which again was great fantastic staff and a well run company.Thanks jack

Recently attended the survival skills day with a youth organisation (cadets) and other 'cadet' adults.The whole day was fantastic. All the kids (and us adults) learned some new and valuable skills as well as building on our teamwork.The day was well planned out, Abi and Derek were fantastic trainers and kept everyone engaged at all times.I would highly recommend the survival skills day - not only for youth groups...for everyone.

The people running the activities are absolute legends! We took the 3 day survival course and learned loads of useful things. Building your own shelter from natural materials and staying in it overnight is an experience that will stay with you. This is an absolute recommend!

Can't recommend Backcountry Survival enough.The instructors knowledge about the environment and navigational skills we're exceptional.His patience and professionalism the full 3 days in the Cairngorms, made for an enjoyable and extremely informative experience.Thank you Neil!

If you're looking to experience the wilderness in Scotland, then a course wit Backcountry Survival is for you! I took part in the 2-day course and would highly recommend it! This is something you could do as a group, couple or solo. 4 of the people in my group (me included) were solo participants.We were a group of 6 on the course and were led by Derek and Abigail. Both were hugely knowledgeable and talked us through survival theory at the bothy before we hiked up the hill to undertake the more practical elements of the course.On day 1, we covered the basics of making shelters and fires with Derek and Abigail before heading into another area of forest to build our own shelters and fires. At this point Abigail and Derek headed off to let us get on ourselves, returning later to check in on us.Derek demonstrated how to prepare game for cooking using rabbit caught by the Gamekeeper on Alvie estate.Due to the wet conditions, we struggled to each get a fire going so instead worked as 1 group to get 1 fire going on which we all prepared our own food (mainly dehydrated rations). We then spent the rest of the night around the fire as a group which was a great bonding experience.After a night in our lean-to/A-frame shelters, we had breakfast before dismantling our shelters and heading into the forest for Day 2 of learning.Day 2 consisted of learning about acquisition of food and water (via demonstration of trapping and filtration techniques) and signalling for assistance before heading back off the hill for a final wrap up in the late afternoon.

Blown away by the depth of knowledge and competence of all four of the guides that supported my group of 7. Great teaching style balancing classroom with being left alone in the woods to acquire resources and build. A great weekend out