The course is aimed at walkers who also use their mountain bikes. Photo: Graham Gillies CC-BY-SA-2.0

A mountain expert is offering a biking course – for hillwalkers.

The one-day session is aimed at walkers who also use mountain bikes, for example to avoid long the long walk-in to some Scottish hills.

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland has organised the course so walkers can avoid a long walk-out when they have, for instance, a puncture or broken chain.

Mountain Bike Leader Al Gilmour will run the course at Fort William, and subjects covered will include first-aid for your bike, including early recognition of worn parts; how to carry out track-side repairs to punctures and broken chains and adjust gears; and how to ride efficiently and safely over rough terrain.

Mr Gilmour, a member of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team and a full-time instructor at the Glenmore Lodge national outdoor training centre, will also advise on a basic repair kit to carry.

Heather Morning, mountain safety adviser with the MCofS, said: “To get the most out of this course you need to be reasonably fit and enjoy a four-hour cycle on forest tracks. This will involve some ascent and descent on the forest tracks around Fort William.”

The base for the course will be the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team base, Ben Nevis Industrial Estate, Fort William, with a ratio of one instructor to six course members. The day will run from 9am to 5pm on Saturday 19 November. Cost to MCofS members is £35 and to non-members £45.

Those attending will need to bring their own bike, helmet and gloves, as well as normal hill kit and packed lunch.

Places can be booked by ringing the MCofS on 01738 493 942.