Become a Qualified Leader
The Lowland Leader Award (LLA) is a leadership training scheme for those wishing to take their first steps into the world of leadership. The award trains you to lead groups on day walks, along clearly defined tracks and trails, in forests, coast and countryside during summer conditions. The Lowland Leader Award is for use on man-made Lowland tracks that are clearly marked both on the land and maps.
Who is it designed for?
The new Lowland Leader award is ideal for teachers, community workers, those involved with the Gaisce Award…. For anyone who wants to lead walking groups in lowland countryside, woodland and coastal areas.
What’s it all about?
This award is for those wishing to working in the lowlands, woodlands and coastal areas. As with all Mountain Training schemes there is no altitude limit and ‘lowland’ refers to the sort of landscape you will be working in, fields, woodlands and coastal terrain where there are clear paths on a map and on the ground.
The training course examines route-finding skills, understanding hazards and risk management, leadership techniques and an appreciation of equipment, resources and the impact of weather.
There is an optional Expedition Skills module available for candidates who wish to move on to leading camping trips and supervising groups on backpacking expeditions.
How does it work?
You will need some personal experience, do the training course, consolidate your learning, be assessed and then continuing developing as a Lowland Leader
How long dose it take?
The length of time it takes to become a Lowland Leader depends on how much experience you already have. Six months between training and assessment would be a recommended time frame.
We are course providers and work nationwide so just register with Mountaineering Ireland and then contact us for suitable dates.
The Mountain Skills course can be used as an appropriate starting point prior to attending a training course.
Where is it useful?
The Lowland Leader award can be used anywhere in Ireland or the UK. Sample areas include the Dublin Mountain Way, The Wicklow Way, The Kerry Way, plus many more. The Lowland Leader award may well be used as an indication of general competence and maturity by employers.
Why do it?
The Lowland Leader Award is nationally recognised as a robust, quality assured measure of your competence and will be accepted as such by employers and authorities.
Is it for me?
The prerequisites before registration are as follows:
- Must be at least 17 to register and train, but 18 years old for assessment.
- Be a current member of one of the three Mountaineering Councils; Mountaineering Ireland, the British Mountaineering Council or Mountaineering Scotland. (You can join one when you register if you are not already a member). Non-members can contact Mountaineering Ireland on 01 6251115 to avail of a combined Membership and award registration discount.
- Should have an interest in leading groups in lowland countryside
- Before attending training you must have completed and logged at least 10 varied walks in Lowland terrain where the use of a map is required (ideally these will be recorded in your digital logbook) which can have taken place at any point (pre- or post-registration)
OR Have attended a walking and navigational personal skills training course recognised by Mountaineering Ireland and or Mountain Training (such as Mountain Skills or Hill and Mountain Skills)
If the above applies to you, here’s what to do next:
- Register for the award with Mountaineering Ireland
- Book on to one of our courses
