Lowland and Hill & Moorland Leader Awards

The Lowland Leader Award was launched in September 2013 as a new outdoor walking qualification provided through B.O.S./Mountaineering Ireland. Bren Whelan is an approved training and assessment provider since 2013.

Introduction to the Lowland Leader Scheme

The Lowland Leader Award (LLA) is a ‘nationally’ accredited scheme. It has been developed and administered by the five training boards across Ireland and the UK.

It is a part of a national framework of schemes for those leading and instructing walking, climbing and mountaineering. The LLA scheme is designed to train and assess those taking their first steps into the world of leadership. It’s for leading groups on day walks, along clearly defined man made trails. Or in forests, along coasts and the countryside during summer conditions. The LLA complements and supports the Walking Group Leader Scheme (WGL). And also the Mountain Leader Scheme (ML).

To Make a Booking:

• Email: bren@mountaintraining.ie
• Phone now: 00 353 87 66 5 77 90
• Phone now: 00 353 74 93 75001

Scope of the Lowland Leader scheme

When planning and executing a trail walking route, the scope of the scheme should be considered in its entirety. No single statement should be used in isolation to justify the selection of a route. The scope defines the area in which trail walking takes place and hence the syllabus for training.

The LLA scheme trains candidates to lead others on walks that fit the following scope:

• The walks are marked on a map e.g. public highways, way marked routes, tracks and trails with obvious navigational features. These may or may not have directional markings. They do not require navigation across untracked hillsides (trails are distinct from a path that can be defined as a line, visible on the ground that has probably evolved through repeated human or animal footfall, resulting in the gradual loss of vegetation and/or soil).

• The walks are in terrain with minimal hazards and low risk and the leader is likely to be no further than two hours walk from a place where assistance can be gained.

• The trails may be in forests, coasts and open-countryside

•  The walks are undertaken during summer conditions. Winter and summer are not defined by a period of the year, and winter is when snow and ice predominates and the skills of winter mountaineering are required.

• The walks will require from the leader, the ability to plan, carry out simple tasks using a map and compass and to be self-sufficient for extended periods of the day.

Outside the Scope of the Lowland Leader Scheme

The training for the LLA scheme does not cover the techniques and skills required to safely lead others on:

• Terrain where there is not a well-worn distinct track or it is hidden by snow.

• Hill and mountain terrain is outside the scope of the scheme unless the trail is clearly defined. Is marked on the map and has minimal hazards and low risk e.g. no steep drops or unstable paths.

• Trails that enter terrain where there is the possibility that the leader will be required to use complex navigation techniques. Such as the ability to walk on a compass bearing and to be able to recognize complex land relief and contours (See the WGL award for training to lead others in this terrain).

• Where the trail enters terrain that may require, in addition to the above, the ability to cope with steep ground the BOS or MTNI ML is the appropriate award.

Registering for the Lowland Leader Award:

Before registering candidates must:

• Be at least 17 years old (although assessment may not be completed until after the candidate’s 18th birthday)
• Have personally undertaken and logged an absolute minimum of ten varied walks in Lowland terrain where the use of a map is required OR
• Have attended a walking an navigational personal skills training course recognised by Mountaineering Ireland (such as Mountain Skills)

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