This summer, Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor Morag Skelton is leading the first British Sign Language navigation course to be offered in the Cairngorms.

As a Deaf person who seeks the calm of adventure in her Highlands home, Morag Skelton tells The Great Outdoors about her high hopes for the first British Sign Language navigation course, hosted through Glenmore Lodge, and what it may mean for accessibility outdoors for d/Deaf people in Britain.

Main image: Climbing The Seam, Cairngorms | Credit: Hamish Frost 

This article is sponsored by our friends at Glenmore Lodge.

TGO: When did you first discover the mountains and what was it about Scotland’s high places that drew you in and kept you coming back for more into adulthood?

Morag: I was brought up in an ‘outdoorsy’ family. The majority of my childhood was spent on the back of a tandem bike touring around the Highlands or playing with other kids on campsites. In winters, we went cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and backcountry ski touring. Nowadays, my love for the outdoors remains as strong as ever. I climb all year. When my feet are on the ground, my dog Aila and I enjoy moving fast around the mountains ticking off the Munros. If I spend too much time indoors, my mood can go downhill! Fresh air and adventure keep my mental health healthy.

Scrambling up An Groban, Gairloch. Photo credit: Mary Eagleson

Scrambling up An Groban, Gairloch. Photo credit: Mary Eagleson

TGO: Can you describe your own sensory experience of the mountains?

Morag: I love the feeling of being physically tired from hard climbing or long days on the hills. Even if the weather is brutal, knowing I’ll go home feeling rewarded does make the cuppa taste better! As a Deaf person, I find forest trails and mountains much calmer compared to visiting cities. In the hills, I don’t have to rely and concentrate on lipreading all the time. I’m not on constant alert in case someone’s about to speak to me, expecting a response right away. Some people can be impatient if I cannot understand them, especially in a busy city context, and it took me years to get used to the busy areas packed with people. Outdoors, I’m often on my own, with my dog or with close friends or family who are aware of my hearing difficulty. I can simply focus on enjoying the environment.

TGO: How would outdoor skills courses have benefited you (if at all) when you began to explore the great outdoors yourself?

Morag: Skills courses test my knowledge. Before attending Summer Mountain Leader training, I wasn’t sure if my navigation skills were good enough to move through remote places or poor visibility. The course helped me realise that I can navigate, and I now have the confidence to go out and make my own decisions. You receive friendly feedback from the instructor, which will help you progress. For me, they’ve really opened up my freedom to roam in the hills whenever I want! Attending an outdoors skills course is a great way to overcome your barriers.

TGO: How did the new British Sign Language (BSL) navigation course with Glenmore come about?

Morag: A Glenmore Lodge Principal, Shaun Roberts, got in touch with me last year upon receiving a request from a d/Deaf person who wanted to join a winter skills course. Due to the technical terrain in winter conditions, which can be very harsh, it would be difficult to have a BSL interpreter join them. They may not have any experience with using crampons or an axe so may struggle. So, we discussed how we can make courses more accessible for d/Deaf people. We decided to start small with a simple summer navigation course, and we hope to progress from there.

British Sign Language navigation - Able2Adventure’s Navigation course for group of Deaf ladies at Nevis Range. Photo credit: Gemma Henry

Able2Adventure’s Navigation course for group of Deaf ladies at Nevis Range. Photo credit: Gemma Henry

TGO: Are there any special considerations that must be taken to develop and deliver acourse for d/Deaf or hard of hearing outdoors folk?

Morag: Ratio size is important. Teaching and communication in BSL can take extra time – for example, explaining the new technical terminology vocabulary. This course welcomes four participants as, in smaller groups, I can maximise learning and ensure we can cover all the vital information. The weekend course is designed to help participants learn the fundamental skills of navigation, map setting, interpreting scales, contours and keeping track of where you are. We’ll stay low on day one and hopefully head to higher ground on day two to put our learning into practise but, ultimately, the course will aim to satisfy the aspirations of the group, and will be adaptable to the conditions we encounter.

We also had to think about making the course information accessible even before participants travel to the Lodge. People’s experiences of being d/Deaf and hard of hearing vary a lot. Some don’t read written English very easily or at all, so we recorded videos using BSL to explain what the course and staying at Glenmore Lodge involved.

TGO: What do you hope participants will be able to take away from your navigation course?

Morag: A barrier between d/Deaf people and the outdoors is training – or lack thereof. Providing fundamentals in BSL will allow d/Deaf people the confidence to go wherever they like. Confidence with navigation can hold people back. By making it more accessible, my aim is to empower participants to go out independently and share their experiences with friends and the Deaf community. One of the best ways to spend time with your friends is outside, creating a lifetime of memories.

British Sign Language navigation - On the summit of Meall na Aighean. Photo credit: Beth Hitchcock

On the summit of Meall na Aighean. Photo credit: Beth Hitchcock

TGO: Are there plans to extend the BSL offerings to include winter skills and rock climbing courses in the future?

Morag: Starting simple with the navigation course, we hope to expand if all goes to plan. Spending time in nature is something everyone should be able to enjoy as part of their lifestyle. All outdoors courses should be accessible for everyone.

TGO: Finally, what advice would you give to ad/Deaf person or someone who is hard of hearing and keen to start exploring the outdoors?

Morag: Don’t be afraid to try new outdoor activities! Find a buddy with whom to share experiences. Seek support from friends or a BSL interpreter, and get outside as much as you can. Start with your local trails and adventure from your doorstep. The more time you spend outside, the more your confidence will grow!

Glenmore Lodge is sportscotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre. Based near Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park and founded in 1948, it exists to support individuals to access the outdoors safely and responsibly through providing skills training and inspiring adventure. Whether it’s trying a new way to enjoy the outdoors, aguided adventure, or professional experienced Instructors are ready to support everyone to develop their skills and achieve their aspirations in the outdoors.

Learn more at glenmorelodge.org.uk.