Learn & Explore

Specialist outdoor skills courses to take your adventure to the next level.

Firbush offers a range of skills courses combining learning, adventure, and personal growth. Led by experienced instructors, our courses are ideal for beginners or those looking to develop existing skills.

  • Winter & Mountain Skills Weekend: Navigation, route planning, avalanche awareness, crampon use, and two days in the hills.
  • Sailing & Windsurfing: RYA-certified courses.
  • Wellbeing Weekends: Pilates, mindfulness, gentle outdoor excursions, and nature connection.

     

From serene winter landscapes to full-on Scottish blizzards, the hills in winter are as beautiful as they are challenging. Our Winter Skills Course will equip you to plan safe and enjoyable journeys in the mountains during the winter season. The course includes two full days out in the hills plus a theory session on Saturday night.

What you’ll learn:
•    Route planning and navigation
•    Avalanche awareness
•    Ice and crampon use

Dates

  • 30th Jan -1st February 2026
  • 20th -22nd February 2026
  • 6th -8th March 2026

Prices

  • UoE: £259
  • Non UoE: £279


Pre-requisites:

Some summer hill walking experience, fitness, and enthusiasm for two days in winter conditions.

Your weekend:

Arrive Friday evening for a light supper and enjoy full-board accommodation in our Norwegian log cabin, with bunked bedrooms from Friday night to Sunday afternoon.

Catering:

All meals are provided in the lochside dining room: cooked breakfasts, packed lunches, and evening meals.


Spend a weekend detoxing from modern life and recharging in a rustic Norwegian cabin on the shores of Loch Tay.


Prices

  • UoE: £249
  • Non UoE: £289

(The price includes: travel to and from Pleasance Sports Complex to Firbush and back, full board accommodation, evening meal, bed & breakfast, packed lunch as well as the wellbeing sessions and full use of the facilities & equipment).
Dates

  • 30th Jan -1st February 2026
  • 20th -22nd February 2026

Activities on offer:

  • Paddleboarding or canoeing on the loch
  • Woodland walks and hill climbs
  • Platies sessions with a lochside view

All activities are led by qualified, experienced instructors committed to helping you unwind.

Your weekend:

Arrive Friday evening for a light supper and enjoy full-board accommodation in our Norwegian log cabin, with bunked bedrooms from Friday night to Sunday afternoon.

Catering:

Full-board meals in the lochside dining room include cooked breakfasts, packed lunches, and evening meals.
 


Level 1 - Start Sailing

A beginner-friendly introduction to sailing dinghies, covering everything you need to know to get afloat safely under instructor supervision. You’ll learn the basics of steering, sail control, and how to sail in different directions, as well as launching and recovering the boat.
Required Experience: None - suitable for complete beginners.

Level 2 - Basic Skills
Build your confidence and develop your sailing skills. This course focuses on improving boat handling and independence on the water, helping you become a competent sailor in light winds. This course covers:

  • Rigging the boat
  • Launching and recovery
  • Sailing in all directions
  • Capsize recovery
  • Essential safety knowledge

Required Experience: Sailing ability to the standard of Level 1 - Start Sailing.


Dates
19-21 June 2026

Prices
UoE: £270
Non-UoE: £290

Accommodation
Arrive on Friday evening and settle in with a light supper before enjoying a weekend stay in our Norwegian log cabin accommodation. You’ll stay in comfortable bunked bedrooms from Friday night through to Sunday afternoon, surrounded by beautiful lochside scenery.

Catering
All meals are included and served in our lochside dining room, giving you the fuel you need for a full weekend on the water. This includes:
•    Friday evening light supper
•    Cooked breakfasts
•    Packed lunches for your activity days
•    Evening meals


New to windsurfing? This beginner-friendly course is the perfect place to start. Over the weekend, our experienced instructors will guide you through the essentials, from getting afloat safely to learning the core techniques needed to steer, balance, and windsurf confidently to your chosen point on the water.

Required Experience: None - this course is designed for complete beginners.

Dates
19-21 June 2026

Prices
UoE: £270
Non-UoE: £290

Accommodation
Arrive on Friday evening and settle in with a light supper before enjoying a weekend stay in our Norwegian log cabin accommodation. You’ll stay in comfortable bunked bedrooms from Friday night through to Sunday afternoon, surrounded by beautiful lochside scenery.

Catering
All meals are included and served in our lochside dining room, giving you the fuel you need for a full weekend on the water. This includes:

  • Friday evening light supper
  • Cooked breakfasts
  • Packed lunches for your activity days
  • Evening meals
     

“The whole weekend was just wonderful. It was great to escape the busy life and do some work on mind and body.”

Mindfulness was “grounding and very restorative” and “really opened my eyes to what mindfulness is” and “great variety” of practices.

"Amazing! Loved the variety, well led/taught and super calming environment"

What previous guests have said about the retreat...
  • Sunset over Loch Tay
  • Three people 2walking outdoors in Scotland
  • 2 people walking next to a Loch in warm clothing
  • Wellbeing session, people sat in a circle in wooden room

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