The Lowland Leader scheme enables walkers experienced on low-level terrain to lead groups on day walks in the countryside and woodland of the United Kingdom and Ireland, in summer conditions.
Scope of the scheme
A qualified Lowland Leader can lead others on day walks in low-level countryside and woodland environments. Qualification holders are able to manage groups safely during this activity.
Terrain
Low level countryside and woodland in the UK and Ireland meeting the following criteria;
- Walks must follow paths or tracks that are both marked on a map and clearly visible on the ground and that do not require navigation across untracked areas.
- Throughout the walk the group should generally be no more than 3km away from a key access point such as a car park, lay-by or populated area.
- Walks must use bridges or other recognised water crossing points.
- Any potential escape routes should also lie within the scope of the defined terrain for the Lowland Leader qualification.
Exclusions
The scheme does not cover;
- Walks which cross open countryside where paths or tracks are not clearly visible.
- Walks which cross any hazardous terrain (e.g. cliffs, very steep slopes, water hazards etc.).
- Walks undertaken in winter conditions. This scheme does not provide training or assessment of the skills required to cope with the hazards of winter conditions, particularly lying snow and ice. ‘Summer conditions’ are defined by the conditions prevailing and not by the calendar.
Registration
Candidate requirements
- Candidates must be 17.
- Candidates must have a genuine interest in low level walking and the supervision of groups.
Training Course
Candidate requirements
Candidates must be registered on the scheme. Candidates must have either;
- An up-to-date logbook (preferably DLOG) with evidence of 10 varied walks in low level terrain
- OR Have attended a walking and navigation personal skills training course recognised by Mountain Training.
Minimum course duration
- 16 hours.
- Delivered in a 2 day programme.
- Programme can be split into 2 x 1 day events delivered within a three-month period.
Group size
- 2 candidates minimum.
- 12 candidates maximum.
Course staffing
- 1 staff : 6 candidates max.
- Course director must hold the Mountain Leader (or higher) plus national Mountain Training organisation requirements.
- Additional staff must hold the Lowland Leader (or higher) plus national Mountain Training organisation requirements.
Assessment Course
Candidate requirements
- Candidates must have attended a Lowland Leader training course (or have been granted exemption)
- Candidates must be familiar with the syllabus
- Candidates must have an up to date logbook (preferably DLOG) with evidence of; 20 quality low-level days in the UK and Ireland OR evidence of a walking and navigation personal skills training course recognised by Mountain Training plus 10 quality low-level days. This is a minimum requirement.
- Candidates must have physically attended and completed (i.e. not online) a first aid course which involved at least two full days or sixteen hours of instruction and included an element of assessment.
Minimum Course duration
- 16 hours.
- Delivered in a 2 day programme.
- Programme can be split into 2 x 1 day events delivered within a one month period.
Group size
- 2 candidates minimum.
- 12 candidates maximum.
Course staffing
- 1 staff : 4 candidates max.
- Course director must hold the Mountain Leader (or higher) plus national Mountain Training organisation requirements.
- Additional staff must hold the Lowland Leader (or higher) plus national Mountain Training organisation requirements.
