About Backcountry Survival
Backcountry Survival Ltd - Bushcraft and Wilderness living skills
Backcountry Survival Description
Enjoy a unique experience in the wild and stunning environment of the Scottish Highlands. Backcountry Survival, based near Aviemore, provides tailored courses and packages in wilderness survival techniques and the art of bushcraft.
Bushcraft is about surviving and thriving in the natural environment, and the acquisition of key skills and knowledge to do so. We teach skills well known to our ancient predecessors, many of which are still practiced today as an everyday skill amongst aboriginal and native peoples around the world.
Backcountry Survival is different from other bushcraft companies, as clients have the opportunity to learn skills relevant to a variety of environments – woodland, moorland, mountain, river, loch and sea. Our courses also compliment a variety of outdoor activities, as they provide key survival and navigational techniques that would benefit anyone spending time in a diverse wilderness environment – whether it be walking, climbing, skiing, cycling, paddling or camping.
Regardless of whether you are an individual, group or family, courses are available to all, so why not contact us to book your space on this exiting outdoor activity.
Reviews
#Trainhardfighteasy #physiqueandpowergym the best gym in the county. Good luck to @duncmacdougall for the comp at the weekend
#flashback to that one time we ate #crow 🤔 #tastedlikeass
Join us on our last 3 Day Survival course before the winter programme kicks in. Discount available for limited places
Looking down towards the mighty #Spey river. You really can't beat the #cairngorms #nationalpark, home to remnants of the original Caledonian #pine #forest. #kaipak #Fjallraven #bushcraft #walking #adventure #Scotland
Well done to all attendees on the first module of the #LSI (Land-based survival instructor) the award is an independently accredited qualification run by BCS and our partners, to ensure quality in the #Survival industry. Quick video of @buzzstewart24 during a #fire lighting demo. We are taking on candidates for next year and anyone interested in becoming a Survival #instructor should get in contact either via BCS or the LSI website. #fjallraven #bushcraft #outdoors #woodland #mountain
Quick raid up in the #woods turned up these #fungi. #forage #foodforfree #chanterelles #cep #fieldmushrooms
#Summer 2019 #course dates coming out this week. Keep your eyes peeled for some exciting new courses from #Scotland premier #survival company. #cairngorms #fjallraven #navigation #woodland #mountain #bushcraft
#gtas or ground to air signal. Next time you're buying your next #outdoors piece of #clothing, do yourself a favour and grab an #orange #survival bag. The #international recognised shape for #assistance required is the Inverted "V". #ecoshell #Fjallraven #rescue @lifesystemsuk
Big thanks to @lifesystemsuk for sending us their range of #survival #whistles to test on our new #project With @sumosurvival Stay #tuned (get it?) To find out the results. #emegency #mountain #adventure #safety #wilderness #rescue #mrt #cairngorms #mountain
Good old #parabolic mirror. Handy when you're in the #tropics but in #Scotland ........not so much. #fjallraven #fire #outdoors #adventure #survival #bushcraft
Up on the #hills for day 2 of our 3 day #survival course with some lads from #2scots. #mountains #adventure #fjallraven
#KISS keep it simple stupid 😜 make sure when you're on your next #adventure You carry a #foilblanket and #survivalbag @lifesystemsuk make the best out there. Learn how to #adapt Your equipment for #protection against the elements. A Foil blanket is an excellent piece of #location equipment for #rescue as well as #medical .
Know where your #food comes from, and learn how to #prep it. #game #protein #pigeon #skyrat
Up on the #cairngorm plateau with @pascalvossen for a days #navigation and #mountain safety. #nav skills are one of the most underrated #outdoors skills you can posses, and statistically speaking being #geographically embarrassed is the number 1 reason for finding yourself in a #survival situation in the #UK. #map #compass #lost #temporarilymisplaced
Backcountry #survival are unique in many aspects. There's no other survival or #Bushcraft companies in the #UK that can take their clients to the #highest, most #remote or more spectacular #scenery than us....full stop. #hilux #mountains #outdoors #adventure. All supported by #fjallraven
First day of our new filming project! #survival #windy #cairngorms #filming
#toosmalltoeat. Getting distracted by these #blackbird chicks this morning. #nature #outdoors #birds #adventure
#improvise #adapt #overcome not quite as impressive as @watertogo as it still needs chemical/heat treated, but pretty amazing what can be done with very little. #water #filter #survival
#firelighting 101 potassium permanganate and E-Cig fluid 💥
What an EPIC 3 days that was! Just returned home after completing the 3 day Survival Course and what an experience.
Instructors Neil and Graham really know their stuff and it was a pleasure to learn from the best. They passed on so much knowledge in a manner that even a newbie like me could pick it up easily.
Looking back over the 3 days, I can't believe we were able to achieve so much. From building our own shelters in the woods, learning different methods to start a fire, various ways to source water and make it safe to drink, how to catch and prepare our food, navigate over different landscapes using a map and compass, attract attention to our location so we can be rescued... the list goes on.
I signed up to this course because I wanted to try something new, something where I would be challenged both physically and mentally, something where I would be tested and taken outside my comfort zone. Also, I have recently started to do some hill climbs, camping and some mountain biking, so love being outdoors. Combine all of the above with my sense of adventure and the 3 Day Survival Course ticked all my boxes.
If you are reading this review, then I assume you are considering a Backcountry Survival course for yourself. I can't recommend it highly enough. Do it. You will have the most incredible experience, delivered to you by the best instructors. You will leave having learnt some new and exciting (and live saving) skills, but more importantly, with a deeper understanding of yourself and what you are capable of.
What a course! Organised as my 40th birthday with some friends and we couldn't have asked for a better weekend.
Everything from arranging the course with us to the course itself was superbly ran and anyone that wants a realistic survival course should not look further.
In a fantastic location, with experienced guys that make the 3-days a great experience. We learned a lot from both Neil and Graham, who were fantastic and fun to be around. A really brilliant experience.
We have never looked at cotton wool the same way again ;)
Our group was so impressed we are now looking to organise another course with the guys for next year!
You will not regret booking with these guys.... Brilliant!
We've just had a fantastic weekend with Neil & Graham. The weather was very wintry! Everything from a complete whiteout to snowy blizzards! Thank you for being very patient with two beginners. It was an awesome adventure & a great intro to crampons & ice axes. Can't wait to do it again!!
We had a brilliant two days with Buzz and Brad. Learnt so much, and in fine company. Organisation was flawless and the setting was epic. Such a great way towards feeling at home in the natural world. I doubt there's anyone who does this better than Backcountry Survival.
Recently attended the 3 Day Survival Course led by Neil and Graham. Both instructors are a great laugh and work with the group fantastically well. Passing on heaps of very useful knowledge and skills, that anyone with a passion for the outdoors needs to know! The course was well organised and held in both beautiful woodlands and rugged hilltops.
As an experienced hill walker my initial ideas for joining the course was to gain a better understanding of my local environment, and how to work within these surroundings in a survival situation. I can happily say the course provided me with all of this and so much more, including learning more about myself individually, and how I approached high-pressure situations within a group.
I enjoyed every minute of the 3 Days and can highly recommended to anyone thinking of booking. Thanks again for a brilliant experience! Will be defiantly be returning for another course.
Our day with Neil and Back Country survival was truly epic!
So much more than we thought when we booked. The experience was a birthday gift of learning how to make fire.
It was so much more expansive than we thought at first, anextremely informative and enlightening course, it was constantly surprising and challenging us.
Neil had a really good manner, very patient with us because we’re not outdoor types, very engaging and helpful.
He's a genuine and real person, interested in you on a human level and very open to all kinds of questions about himself also. He wants it’s to be fun as well as informative and he's very charismatic and deep.
The day was full of very natural conversation, laughs and learning all combined throughout.
He keeps you safe and informed and makes it an adventure also.
His knowledge of techniques, tools and methods is probably second to none. It’s 'real world' knowledge and practicality.
The learning was fun, fascinating and in-depth. The scope of his knowledge was the best aspect, it was so much more than simply making fire. We learned about the huge amount of plants we could eat, how to navigate by the sun, how to purify water and how to use the natural materials around us.
The location was spectacular and the time simply flew by. We were left wanting so much more and to spend more time with him soaking up every tip about surviving and utilising what was around us.
Just the best way to spend a day in Scotland and one of the best activities we’ve done in such a long time.
We just cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone. For a unique outdoor experience you simply can’t get better than this.
Stuart And Maike
Neil provides an excellent days experience for anyone interested in bushcraft or survival. The group of 5 I was meant to be in turned out to be just me as they postponed last minute on Neil but thankfully I wasn’t disappointed and was able to still get my day experience which was a voucher present from my wife. I learned about PLAN protection, location, acquisition, navigation getting some useful map reading skills and walking on a bearing etc. I got to build an A frame shelter which was hard work but fun. I gained some useful knowledge on starting a fire using various methods, helpful methods on obtaining and processing water. I also got some info on wild plants and some of their useful properties. Finally I got to prep some wood pigeon for the fire (not for the squeamish). All in all a very informative and enjoyable day!
Neil is a experienced mountain man, who taught us loads in a fantastic winter skills course. He is knowledgeable about the equipment needed to keep you safe, but also about the weather and some of the wildlife, birds and plants of the Cairngorms. Highly recommended.
My partner and I went on the 3 day expedition course as part of our summer holiday - it was absolutely awesome! I learned so much , not only about the skills needed to negotiate basic survival, but also about myself. At times it's rough when you're wet/cold/tired/sleep-deprived, but the sense of personal achievement and the fantastic surroundings far outweighs the challenges. Our instructor Brad (aka Action Brad) is such an excellent teacher, and great banter along with it. Plenty of learning and laughter made for a highly memorable weekend.
I'd strongly recommend this as a useful experience for both individuals and groups; if you're feeling brave get your colleagues along for a team-building activity like no other! 5* doesn't even come close to expressing our enjoyment - thanks Brad, Neil, everyone at Backcountry Survival. You guys smashed it!
Just back from an amazing 2 day survival course . If you're thinking about doing this course , stop thinking and just go for it , you won't be disappointed . Neil and his team are so professional in what they do and so down to earth . We learned so much over two days and I can't wait to put my new found knowledge into practice . Thanks again guys
It was an amazing experience with an amazing team.
Neil and the guys have the knowledge and skills in bucket loads and take the time to make sure you understand.
It was hard work but at the end of it very rewarding, i would highly recommend this to anyone!
I look forward to the 5 day course in the near future.
Having recently attend the 3 day exped with my daughter, son and daughter's boyfriend I can only highly recommend this to anyone wishing to attend this type of course. The 3 days were well organised and executed. The teaching was carried out well, by knowledgable and experienced instructors. We all learnt many new survival skills. The course is demanding both physically and mentally at times and we were pushed outside our 'comfort zones' but we all learnt a bit more about ourselves and what we are capable of. If you like a challenge and want to learn practical survival skills then book yourself on the course.
Had a great day and learnt loads of really useful skills like building a badass shelter to lighting fires and clean water! The day went so quickly and would highly recommend the full day as a taster or the longer experiences to anyone interested! The instructors were highly knowledgeable and a good banter!
Great three days with these guys, very impressed with each instructor as they are very friendly, professional and incredibly knowledgeable. I genuinely feel like I’ve learned something. Thank you
From start to finish, Neil and his team were welcoming, knowledgeable, passionate and just truly brilliant teachers. They really take the time to ensure that you understand and encourage you every step of the way.
I can’t recommend the weekend enough, in such a short time I was taught some very valuable skills and learned a fair bit about myself - there’s lessons learned that will be with me for life.
The course pushes you out of your comfort zone and lets you know just how capable you are - Neil and the team were excellent at judging how we were all feeling and so how the day would go.
In short, an epic experience with an incredible team and I can’t wait to get back up there.
Did the 3 day summer survival course, great bunch of people in the course with me, we all clicked as a team brilliantly, we had 3 instructors who were amazing, the 2 Graeme’s and Neil, I can honestly say with these guys extensive knowledge about the outdoors and survival if it was a real life survival situation and I was with the 3 of them, I wouldn’t even be worried, i’d trust them with my life, didn’t really see them as instructors but more as lead team mates who were teaching us along the way, it was an absolutely brilliant experience and I will definitely be back for another course in the future. Everything about the course was absolutely fantastic from the nav and hill climbs to the river crossing. Thanks for making it such a memorable experience Neil and the 2 Graeme’s.
Completed the 3 day bushcraft survival at the weekend, what a bloody good experience!!
It was a challenge at times, giving you the real feel of what it might be like in a survival situation, but both Neil and Brad were excellent at judging our limits as a group and not pushing us too far. It was the perfect balance of teaching and then being left to try things out for yourself and learn from your cock ups :) Both Brad and Neil's kindness, humour and patience really made the course and I got home yesterday itching to get straight out and try everything I'd learnt.
As someone who's a bit bananas about their hill walking and wild camping, these skills are a beautiful complement to being outdoors. Learning a myriad of ways to make fires as well as what plants and berries to forage is so useful and satisfying. Using your bivvy/rucksack as a flotation device to swim down a gorge was nothing short of epic and a great way to end the course on a high. It was like going down flumes, but better!!
If you want to grow exponentially as a human being, and memories to truly treasure, go on this course :)
Brilliant day with the family from our 2 year old , 3 year old, 7 year old and 8 year old kids to granny was amazing. Neil was excellent and spent lots of time (and patience) helping the older boys to set fires �. Would recommend as activity to keep everyone amused
Best Weekend ever! The 3 day survival course was pretty intense physically and mentally. You work hard throughout the whole 3 days, building shelters and fires, finding and filtering water, navigation and trekking though some of the most beautiful areas! It really was awesome and the buzz you got after every small achievement was amazing! I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to push themselves in the outdoors. Its creates memories that last a lifetime!
What an EPIC 3 days that was! Just returned home after completing the 3 day Survival Course and what an experience.
Instructors Neil and Graham really know their stuff and it was a pleasure to learn from the best. They passed on so much knowledge in a manner that even a newbie like me could pick it up easily.
Looking back over the 3 days, I can't believe we were able to achieve so much. From building our own shelters in the woods, learning different methods to start a fire, various ways to source water and make it safe to drink, how to catch and prepare our food, navigate over different landscapes using a map and compass, attract attention to our location so we can be rescued... the list goes on.
I signed up to this course because I wanted to try something new, something where I would be challenged both physically and mentally, something where I would be tested and taken outside my comfort zone. Also, I have recently started to do some hill climbs, camping and some mountain biking, so love being outdoors. Combine all of the above with my sense of adventure and the 3 Day Survival Course ticked all my boxes.
If you are reading this review, then I assume you are considering a Backcountry Survival course for yourself. I can't recommend it highly enough. Do it. You will have the most incredible experience, delivered to you by the best instructors. You will leave having learnt some new and exciting (and live saving) skills, but more importantly, with a deeper understanding of yourself and what you are capable of.
What a course! Organised as my 40th birthday with some friends and we couldn't have asked for a better weekend.
Everything from arranging the course with us to the course itself was superbly ran and anyone that wants a realistic survival course should not look further.
In a fantastic location, with experienced guys that make the 3-days a great experience. We learned a lot from both Neil and Graham, who were fantastic and fun to be around. A really brilliant experience.
We have never looked at cotton wool the same way again ;)
Our group was so impressed we are now looking to organise another course with the guys for next year!
You will not regret booking with these guys.... Brilliant!
We've just had a fantastic weekend with Neil & Graham. The weather was very wintry! Everything from a complete whiteout to snowy blizzards! Thank you for being very patient with two beginners. It was an awesome adventure & a great intro to crampons & ice axes. Can't wait to do it again!!
We had a brilliant two days with Buzz and Brad. Learnt so much, and in fine company. Organisation was flawless and the setting was epic. Such a great way towards feeling at home in the natural world. I doubt there's anyone who does this better than Backcountry Survival.
Recently attended the 3 Day Survival Course led by Neil and Graham. Both instructors are a great laugh and work with the group fantastically well. Passing on heaps of very useful knowledge and skills, that anyone with a passion for the outdoors needs to know! The course was well organised and held in both beautiful woodlands and rugged hilltops.
As an experienced hill walker my initial ideas for joining the course was to gain a better understanding of my local environment, and how to work within these surroundings in a survival situation. I can happily say the course provided me with all of this and so much more, including learning more about myself individually, and how I approached high-pressure situations within a group.
I enjoyed every minute of the 3 Days and can highly recommended to anyone thinking of booking. Thanks again for a brilliant experience! Will be defiantly be returning for another course.
Our day with Neil and Back Country survival was truly epic!
So much more than we thought when we booked. The experience was a birthday gift of learning how to make fire.
It was so much more expansive than we thought at first, anextremely informative and enlightening course, it was constantly surprising and challenging us.
Neil had a really good manner, very patient with us because we’re not outdoor types, very engaging and helpful.
He's a genuine and real person, interested in you on a human level and very open to all kinds of questions about himself also. He wants it’s to be fun as well as informative and he's very charismatic and deep.
The day was full of very natural conversation, laughs and learning all combined throughout.
He keeps you safe and informed and makes it an adventure also.
His knowledge of techniques, tools and methods is probably second to none. It’s 'real world' knowledge and practicality.
The learning was fun, fascinating and in-depth. The scope of his knowledge was the best aspect, it was so much more than simply making fire. We learned about the huge amount of plants we could eat, how to navigate by the sun, how to purify water and how to use the natural materials around us.
The location was spectacular and the time simply flew by. We were left wanting so much more and to spend more time with him soaking up every tip about surviving and utilising what was around us.
Just the best way to spend a day in Scotland and one of the best activities we’ve done in such a long time.
We just cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone. For a unique outdoor experience you simply can’t get better than this.
Stuart And Maike
Neil provides an excellent days experience for anyone interested in bushcraft or survival. The group of 5 I was meant to be in turned out to be just me as they postponed last minute on Neil but thankfully I wasn’t disappointed and was able to still get my day experience which was a voucher present from my wife. I learned about PLAN protection, location, acquisition, navigation getting some useful map reading skills and walking on a bearing etc. I got to build an A frame shelter which was hard work but fun. I gained some useful knowledge on starting a fire using various methods, helpful methods on obtaining and processing water. I also got some info on wild plants and some of their useful properties. Finally I got to prep some wood pigeon for the fire (not for the squeamish). All in all a very informative and enjoyable day!
Neil is a experienced mountain man, who taught us loads in a fantastic winter skills course. He is knowledgeable about the equipment needed to keep you safe, but also about the weather and some of the wildlife, birds and plants of the Cairngorms. Highly recommended.
My partner and I went on the 3 day expedition course as part of our summer holiday - it was absolutely awesome! I learned so much , not only about the skills needed to negotiate basic survival, but also about myself. At times it's rough when you're wet/cold/tired/sleep-deprived, but the sense of personal achievement and the fantastic surroundings far outweighs the challenges. Our instructor Brad (aka Action Brad) is such an excellent teacher, and great banter along with it. Plenty of learning and laughter made for a highly memorable weekend.
I'd strongly recommend this as a useful experience for both individuals and groups; if you're feeling brave get your colleagues along for a team-building activity like no other! 5* doesn't even come close to expressing our enjoyment - thanks Brad, Neil, everyone at Backcountry Survival. You guys smashed it!
Just back from an amazing 2 day survival course . If you're thinking about doing this course , stop thinking and just go for it , you won't be disappointed . Neil and his team are so professional in what they do and so down to earth . We learned so much over two days and I can't wait to put my new found knowledge into practice . Thanks again guys
It was an amazing experience with an amazing team.
Neil and the guys have the knowledge and skills in bucket loads and take the time to make sure you understand.
It was hard work but at the end of it very rewarding, i would highly recommend this to anyone!
I look forward to the 5 day course in the near future.
Having recently attend the 3 day exped with my daughter, son and daughter's boyfriend I can only highly recommend this to anyone wishing to attend this type of course. The 3 days were well organised and executed. The teaching was carried out well, by knowledgable and experienced instructors. We all learnt many new survival skills. The course is demanding both physically and mentally at times and we were pushed outside our 'comfort zones' but we all learnt a bit more about ourselves and what we are capable of. If you like a challenge and want to learn practical survival skills then book yourself on the course.
Had a great day and learnt loads of really useful skills like building a badass shelter to lighting fires and clean water! The day went so quickly and would highly recommend the full day as a taster or the longer experiences to anyone interested! The instructors were highly knowledgeable and a good banter!
Great three days with these guys, very impressed with each instructor as they are very friendly, professional and incredibly knowledgeable. I genuinely feel like I’ve learned something. Thank you
From start to finish, Neil and his team were welcoming, knowledgeable, passionate and just truly brilliant teachers. They really take the time to ensure that you understand and encourage you every step of the way.
I can’t recommend the weekend enough, in such a short time I was taught some very valuable skills and learned a fair bit about myself - there’s lessons learned that will be with me for life.
The course pushes you out of your comfort zone and lets you know just how capable you are - Neil and the team were excellent at judging how we were all feeling and so how the day would go.
In short, an epic experience with an incredible team and I can’t wait to get back up there.
Did the 3 day summer survival course, great bunch of people in the course with me, we all clicked as a team brilliantly, we had 3 instructors who were amazing, the 2 Graeme’s and Neil, I can honestly say with these guys extensive knowledge about the outdoors and survival if it was a real life survival situation and I was with the 3 of them, I wouldn’t even be worried, i’d trust them with my life, didn’t really see them as instructors but more as lead team mates who were teaching us along the way, it was an absolutely brilliant experience and I will definitely be back for another course in the future. Everything about the course was absolutely fantastic from the nav and hill climbs to the river crossing. Thanks for making it such a memorable experience Neil and the 2 Graeme’s.
Completed the 3 day bushcraft survival at the weekend, what a bloody good experience!!
It was a challenge at times, giving you the real feel of what it might be like in a survival situation, but both Neil and Brad were excellent at judging our limits as a group and not pushing us too far. It was the perfect balance of teaching and then being left to try things out for yourself and learn from your cock ups :) Both Brad and Neil's kindness, humour and patience really made the course and I got home yesterday itching to get straight out and try everything I'd learnt.
As someone who's a bit bananas about their hill walking and wild camping, these skills are a beautiful complement to being outdoors. Learning a myriad of ways to make fires as well as what plants and berries to forage is so useful and satisfying. Using your bivvy/rucksack as a flotation device to swim down a gorge was nothing short of epic and a great way to end the course on a high. It was like going down flumes, but better!!
If you want to grow exponentially as a human being, and memories to truly treasure, go on this course :)
Brilliant day with the family from our 2 year old , 3 year old, 7 year old and 8 year old kids to granny was amazing. Neil was excellent and spent lots of time (and patience) helping the older boys to set fires �. Would recommend as activity to keep everyone amused
Best Weekend ever! The 3 day survival course was pretty intense physically and mentally. You work hard throughout the whole 3 days, building shelters and fires, finding and filtering water, navigation and trekking though some of the most beautiful areas! It really was awesome and the buzz you got after every small achievement was amazing! I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to push themselves in the outdoors. Its creates memories that last a lifetime!