The ClimbScotland Ready to Rock program offers accessible opportunities forclimbers (18+) to experience the world class climbing we have on our doorstep in Scotland, develop or learn new skills that will help them on their own climbing journey, and inspire a lifelong passion and respect for climbing and the outdoors.
What is Ready to Rock?
Ready to Rock is for climbers over 18 who want to go rock climbing outdoors. with courses for everyone from complete beginners, to those who have been climbing indoors and would like to learn to climb safely outdoors, or for anyone wanting to further develop their sport or trad climbing skills up to lead climbing.
Ready to Rock Adult Outdoor courses Torridon Bouldering Climbing Scotland
A first step into outdoor bouldering. This one-day course offers you the chance to experience outdoor bouldering under the supervision of our expert coach, learning some new skills that can start you on your outdoor climbing journey.
This course is ideal for members who have never climbed before or boulder indoors but would like to try climbing on real rock.
Instructor to climber ratio 1:8.
The course will cover:
Bouldering equipment and use
Movement coaching on real rock
Bouldering Safety and Ethics
Decisions making and risk management
Use of guidebooks, and online resources
Equipment
All technical equipment will be provided by the instructor other than rock shoes (these are not vital for this course)
Prerequisites
Open to any Mountaineering Scotland member who wants to give outdoor climbing a try
Ready to Rock Adult Outdoor courses Torridon Bouldering Climbing Scotland
This one-day course is run as a member’s bouldering social accompanied by an expert coach to give you all the tips and tricks to get the most out of your climbing. It’s an opportunity to meet up with other psyched boulderers from across Scotland and visit some of the best bouldering venues around.
This course is ideal for members who boulder, indoors or out at all experience levels, and would like to visit some of the country’s best venues.
Instructor to climber ratio 1:8.
The course will cover:
Opportunities to climb at the best bouldering venues
Support from our expert coach
Movement coaching on real rock
Bouldering Safety and Ethics
Decisions making and risk management
Use of guidebooks, and online resources.
Equipment
All technical equipment will be provided by the instructor other than rock shoes (these are not vital for this course)
Bring own if you have
Prerequisites
Open to any Mountaineering Scotland member who wants to give outdoor climbing a try
Ready to Rock Adult Outdoor courses Kingussie Trad Climbing Scotland
This one-day course is a first step into outdoor rock climbing. Experience outdoor rock climbing with the safety of a Bottom-Rope, learning some new skills that can start you on your outdoor climbing journey.
This course is ideal for members who have never climbed before or done a little climbing indoors but would like to try climbing on real rock.
Instructor to climber ratio 1:6.
The course will cover:
Fitting harness and helmet
Tying into the rope
Belaying from below and lowering
Abseiling
Crag etiquette and use of guidebooks
Movement coaching on real rock
Equipment
All technical equipment will be provided by the instructor other than rock shoes (these are not vital for this course)
Prerequisites
Open to any Mountaineering Scotland member who wants to give outdoor climbing a try
Ready to Rock Adult Outdoor courses Kingussie Trad Climbing Scotland
This one-day course is designed to take your indoor climbing skills and applying them to outdoor Sport Climbing. Learn the art of Sport Climbing and pick up some skills to help you become an independent sport climber.
Instructor to climber ratio 1:4.
The course will cover:
Lead belaying
Lead sports climbing skills
Threading lower offs
Movement coaching
Decision making – understanding risk evaluation and management.
Equipment
All technical equipment will be provided by the instructor other than rock shoes.
Prerequisites
Participants must be consistently climbing 6a indoors.
Participants must be a competent Bottom-Rope belayer.
Some experience of indoor lead climbing and lead belaying would be beneficial but not essential.
Ready to Rock Adult Outdoor courses Kingussie Sport Climbing Scotland
Now you’re a sport climber let’s make you a pro. Learn some advanced technical and movement skills to make your Sport Climbing as safe and efficient as possible on this one-day course.
Instructor to climber ratio 1:4.
The course will cover:
Advanced Sport Climbing skills
Advanced belaying skills
Projecting skills
Advanced movement coaching
Decision making – understanding risk evaluation and management.
Equipment
All technical equipment will be provided by the instructor other than rock shoes
Prerequisites
Participants must have some experience of Sport Lead climbing outdoors or have attended a Ready to Rock Learn to Sport Climb course.
Participants must be consistently lead climbing indoors.
Participants must be able to belay another lead climber.
Ready to Rock Adult Outdoor courses Kingussie Trad Climbing Scotland
This one-day course is designed to progress your outdoor climbing and teach you about how to effectively move on rock, protect yourself and take that first step to becoming an independent outdoor climber.
Instructor to climber ratio 1:4.
Please note: This is not a lead climbing course but a progression on the way to becoming a lead climber.
The course will cover:
Recap of the basics (see Introduction to Rock Climbing)
Placing and removing gear
Building and equalising belays
Abseiling with a prussik
Belaying from the top of a route
Movement skills coaching
Equipment
All technical equipment will be provided by the instructor other than rock shoes
Prerequisites
Participants must be able to put on a harness, tie a figure of eight knot and competently bottom-rope belay another climber.
This two-day course is designed as the next step on your journey to becoming a safe and independent Trad Climber. Looking at the skills to be a competent second and looking at what’s involved in lead climbing.
Instructor to climber ratio 1:2.
The course will cover:
Movement technique on real rock
Competent seconding skills
Belaying a trad lead
Placing and removing traditional gear
Setting up belays
Setting up retrievable abseils
Decision making – understanding risk evaluation and management.
Equipment
All technical equipment will be provided by the instructor other than rock shoes
Prerequisites
Participants must be consistently lead climbing indoors.
Participants must be able to belay another lead climber.
Participants must have some experience of climbing outdoors (ideally through prior Ready to Rock Progression courses).
Ready to Rock Adult Outdoor courses Kingussie Trad Climbing Scotland
Now you can trad climb, let’s make you a pro. Through perfecting ropework skills and gear placements, to making the best decisions and problems solving, it’s time to perfect your Trad Climbing on this one-day course.
Instructor to climber ratio 1:2.
The course will cover:
Advanced movement technique
Lead climbing skills
Perfecting traditional gear placements
Setting up complex belays
Decision making – understanding risk evaluation and management.
Solving common problems
Equipment
All technical equipment will be provided by the instructor other than rock shoes
Prerequisites
Participants must have attended a Ready to Rock Progression course, or a Mountain Training Rock Skills course, or have a minimum of 5 Trad Lead climbs.
Participants must be consistently lead climbing indoors.
Participants must be able to competently belay another lead climber.
In the event of poor weather, Mountaineering Scotland will not cancel any course. Most of our sessions can be run despite unfavourable weather, and other venue choices may provide dry rock. It will be at the discretion of the Lead Instructor to make, and participants will be contacted with full details prior to the course.
Planning your RealRock session
If in doubt about a climbers suitability for any of the above courses please get in touch with us at
We aim to be at the crag for a full day dependant on weather and energy levels.
Participants need their own rock climbing shoes.
Exact venues may vary if the weather necessitates a change.
Photography and video are taken at these events to promote through our website and social media. Please advise a member of the team if you do not wish to have your or your child’s photograph taken.
