Mark Reid has been filmed for a 'virtual' map-reading course

Outdoors instructor Mark Reid has taken his courses online as much of the countryside remains off limits for visitors.

The Mountain Leader, who also wrote The Inn Way guidebooks, normally runs his courses in areas such as the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District.

He has set up a series of internet-based tutorials.

In common with most other outdoor professionals, Reid has seen his income from courses completely dry up as the country went into lockdown.

Before the government restrictions were put in place, he enlisted his son to film one of his instructor courses in the Dales, and has spent the past three weeks putting together his virtual map-reading course.

The course costs £35. After signing up, students are asked to view six video tutorials before choosing a date for a two-hour online tutorial with Mark Reid.

Subjects covered include: essential kit and looking after yourself; understanding Ordnance Survey maps and symbols; route planning with paper and digital mapping; navigation strategies; weather forecasts and conditions; and a practical map reading tutorial.

Reid says his course is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced walkers who want to improve and consolidate their skills.

The online tutorials begin next week and are limited to eight people on each session, which are being run throughout April and into May.

Details of the course are on the Team Walking website.

Grough is offering outdoor professionals free listing on its Links page for three months while the Covid-19 crisis continues.