Everything You Need to Know
Clear answers, zero fluff, and total peace of mind before you hit the trail.
-
A: G-UP is different in pretty much every way. Traditional tour companies either force you into large, slow-moving groups or simply drop your bags at a hotel reception and leave you on your own.
We operate on a completely different level:
• Zero Large Groups: Micro-expeditions mean tailor-made, 1-on-1 individual care.
• Unrivalled Flexibility On & Off the Trail: Wild camp in Glen Etive one night, wake up to a fresh sunrise coffee at your tent door, and hit the trail whenever you’re ready—no rigid schedules, ever.
• Total Infrastructure & Support: We carry the weight and handle the entire camp setup—from high-grade tents to camp kitchens to remote wild camps and everything in between.
• Mobile Basecamp Safety Net: Our crew vehicle drives ahead, stages your camp, tracks your GPS pace, and runs back down the trail to meet you with fresh coffee, supplies, or an emergency lift if fatigue hits.
You get the raw, uninterrupted freedom of the trail combined with the safety, comfort, and backing of your own personal expedition crew.
-
A: In a word? No. We are here to give you a genuine wilderness adventure, and true adventure is never easy—you have to earn these memories.
What G-UP provides is the ultimate safety net, experienced guiding, and mobile basecamp infrastructure. We strip away the logistical friction so you don't need years of mountain experience, thousands of pounds in specialist gear, or the burden of carrying heavy loads.
We make the wild accessible, but the miles, the weather, and the climbs are entirely down to you. You still have to do the work—and that’s exactly what makes the “Hard Earned Memories” so sweet.
-
A: Every morning, our crew drops you at the day's starting point. While you hike or run at your own pace, we either drive the support vehicle ahead to set up the evening basecamp or guide the first stage of the day then double back to set up for the night.. Once camp is staged, your crew runner heads back down the trail to meet you for the final miles—offering trailside espresso pop-ups, high-energy snacks, or just a boost of encouragement.
-
A: We provide a rough daily itinerary for both hiking and running options however this is really just a guide as each G-UP Adventure is tailored to suit the individual groups fitness levels, progress and adapts with you along the way. You are free to take detours, climb munros like Ben Lomond etc, if it fits within the 7-day booking you can do as much or as little as you like. You have ultimate freedom throughout your time and your G-UP guide is on hand 24/7 to handle anything on the trail. An 8th day to tackle Ben Nevis can be added (see add-ons section) if you still have the legs in you.
-
A: Complimentary local pick up in the Glasgow area to the start in Milngavie is included and we offer an optional add on for a private transfer back to Glasgow at the end of your adventure. Complimentary local drop off in Fort William is included as part of your G-UP adventure.
-
A: Not unless you want to! You have total freedom and we can shape each day to the conditions and how you are feeling. Hike at your own pace, pause when you want, and take in the views. We monitor your progress via live GPS tracking, meaning we are always nearby if you need us, without lingering over your shoulder.
-
A: We offer two basecamp tiers and full wild camping gear is always available:
Expedition Ground Camp: High-grade, storm-proof communal tents, comfortable sleep set ups, camp infrastructure prepped for your arrival. See individual adventures for full details.
Comfort Plus Teardrop Suite: A private, teardrop trailer featuring a real double mattress, ambient lighting, and USB charging—ideal for couples or two close friends wanting maximum recovery comfort
-
A: Every day can include a hot Scottish camp style breakfast or something lighter to suit (porridge bar, toasted bagels, bacon/egg options, fresh stove-top coffee) all tailored to your individual group and a custom "Trail Fuel" pouch packed with energy snacks, fruit, and high-calorie rations is available to see you through the miles. For dinners, we mix iconic Highland pub stops (where you can enjoy local ales and classic meals at your own cost) with hearty, crew-cooked base camp meals and lighter dinners for wild camping nights. On wild camping nights guests typically enjoy a pub style stopover before the wild camp and again this is all adapted to suit you and with the support vehicle on hand, a detour off the trail lets you experience the local hospitality. Water, electrolytes, tea and freshly brewed coffee is provided and guests are welcome to use the support vehicle to stock it with soft drinks/beers/wine etc as they wish. We will have it chilled ready for when you hit camp.
-
A: Very little! Because we handle the camp infrastructure, sleeping setups, tents, cooking gear, and main luggage transport, you only need your personal clothing, broken-in trail shoes/boots, and a small daypack (or borrow one of ours) for water and extra layers. We provide a full kit checklist once your booking is confirmed.
-
A: The West Highland Way covers 96 miles over 6 to 7 days (roughly 12 to 20 miles per day) over varied terrain. You don't need to be an elite athlete, but you should have a good base level of hiking fitness and be comfortable walking back-to-back days on hilly trails. Because our support vehicle meets the trail at multiple access points, we always have a safety net if fatigue sets in.
-
A: Your safety is non-negotiable. Our lead crew holds Qualified First Aid certification, advanced wilderness navigation expertise, and is actively completing formal Mountain Leader accreditation.
G-UP maintains comprehensive public liability insurance, while every member of our expedition crew undergoes rigorous vetting and has been officially cleared through Disclosure Scotland.
We carry comprehensive medical kits, satellite communication devices, and maintain live GPS tracking for all guests.
-
A: We keep our expeditions strictly micro-sized—typically capped at 2 to 3 guests per trip (or private small groups). This ensures you get an ultra-exclusive, individual experience with zero overcrowding and maximum crew attention.
-
A: We believe the moments that shape us shouldn't be out of reach. A direct portion of the revenue from every commercial trip booked at G-UP goes into our Gifted Expedition Fund. This fully finances outdoor adventure trips for individuals and families who for various reasons cannot access the mountains, giving them the chance to build their own “Hard Earned Memories”
-
A: We keep our booking process personal to ensure your G-UP Adventure is tailored to your exact goals:
Send an Enquiry: Get in touch via our contact page with your proposed dates and basic requirements.
Consultation Call: We will schedule a quick phone or video call directly with our founder to talk through your goals, answer questions, and build your custom plan.
Secure Your Dates: Once we agree on the itinerary and details, we will send over our bank transfer details to collect your £250.00 GBP per person deposit.
Final Confirmation: As soon as your deposit arrives, you will receive a formal booking confirmation email containing your full kit list, participant medical declaration, risk waiver, and site policies.
-
A: We require a £250.00 GBP per person deposit to lock in your dates, with the final balance due 60 days before your adventure start date. If you need to transfer your booking to a future date due to unforeseen circumstances, we will always do our absolute best to accommodate you on an open slot. Guests must ensure they have comprehensive travel insurance, this is a mandatory requirement of booking. Full details in T&Cs