For any additional information, please refer to our frequently asked questions section.
- Cost – renting the kit is cheaper than buying outright, especially as our kit is of a high quality to make sure it lasts you the duration
- Environmental – reduce reuse recycle, we all know it. Renting the kit saves materials being used in single use kit.
- Effort – we clean the kit after its use so you don’t have to
- Location specific kit – for travellers from afar you might not have the specific kit for the Scottish highlands. Our kit is tailored to the route and what you will need.
- Airline faff – reduce your travel costs by reducing the amount you pay and carry around.
Our catalogue of equipment includes:
- 1 & 2 person tents
- 60L Premium Rucksack
- 2 or 3 season sleeping bags
- Self-inflating sleeping mats
- Sleeping bag liners
- Trangia gas cooking stove
- First aid kits
- Dry bags
- Compasses
- Midge nets
- Walking poles
Camping gas is not included with our stoves, however it is available from the collection point (Creature Comforts – Milngavie) and at multiple locations along the route.
Planning your gear correctly is essential for a comfortable and safe walk along the West Highland Way. We provide the core camping equipment, but there are several personal items you’ll need to bring yourself.
Equipment you can hire from us
We offer essential items for self-supported West Highland Way walkers:
- 60L trekking rucksack
- 1-person or 2-person tent
- Sleeping system (sleeping bag, liner, and sleeping mat)
- Camping cooking stove (with cutlery and washing items)
- Walking poles
- Basic first aid kit
- Head torch
- Dry bags
- Compass
- Midge repellent and headnets (especially in summer)
Personal items to bring yourself
- Walking boots or trail shoes – comfortable and well broken-in
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Warm layers (fleece or insulated jacket)
- Base layers and spare socks
- Food and snacks for each day
- Water bottles or hydration system
- Personal toiletries and medication
- Phone, power bank, and charging cables
Optional items (but highly recommended)
- Blister plasters
- Lightweight towel
Seasonal considerations
Early spring and autumn:
- Warm layers
- Waterproofs
- Hat
- Gloves
Summer:
- Sun protection
- Midge control.
Check the forecast shortly before departure and adjust your clothing accordingly.
You’ll need a tent if you plan to wild camp or stay at campsites. We offer both 1-person tents for solo walkers and 2-person tents for pairs, allowing weight to be shared.
We offer a two person complete kit package with everything needed, ideal for pairs walking together, helping reduce overall carried weight when shared between two people. This deal also works out cheaper than the induvial package per person.
If you’re after the Happy Camper for 2 people please get in touch and this can be organised.
Our camping stoves are suitable for simple trail cooking and hot drinks at campsites or wild camping spots along the West Highland Way. We use the trusty Trangia stove that works well for 1 to 2 people at a time. Our Trangia’s have been converted to use gas as this is the most readily available fuel along the way.
Camping gas is not included with our stoves, however it is available from the collection point (Creature Comforts – Milngavie) and at multiple locations along the route.
Our view is you should use whatever makes your journey more enjoyable. If you feel the long distances will put a lot of strain on your body we think you should 🙂
All equipment hired has been selected for Scottish outdoor conditions, including wind, rain, and variable temperatures commonly experienced between Milngavie and Fort William.
Normal wear and tear from long-distance walking is expected. If equipment is damaged beyond reasonable use, repair or replacement costs may apply. Any assessment is carried out fairly and in line with our Terms & Conditions.
Milngavie (collection/return): Creature Comforts Pet Shop
Address: 3 Mugdock Rd, Milngavie, Glasgow G62 8PD
Opening hours:
| Monday | 9am–5:30pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–5:30pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–5:30pm |
| Thursday | 9am–5:30pm |
| Friday | 9am–5:30pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5:30pm |
| Sunday | 12pm–4pm |
Fort William (return): Ben Nevis Centre
Address: Belford Rd, Fort William PH33 6PF
A secure storage shed is located around the back. Access code required.
| Monday – Sunday | 24 hour access (aim to return before 5pm) |
At present we don’t offer this as a regular service. If you are in need of equipment on the route urgently please contact us on Whatsapp and we’ll see if we can help.
Instruction will be emailed to you in advance of your booking.
All equipment is cleaned, dried, and inspected after every hire.
We offer hire periods of 2 days or more to match your itinerary, allowing for slower-paced walks or rest days.
Check out Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Of course! You might start by yourself but you’ll soon meet many likeminded walkers along the way.
Hiring is ideal for international visitors, allowing you to avoid flying with bulky camping equipment while still having gear suited to Scottish conditions.
We’re lucky enough to have access to free drinking water. In fact it’s in the law:
“Tap water fit for drinking must be provided free of charge on request.” – Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005
This means you can pop into any pub along the way to refill your water. Remember though that they are a business and will be happy to have a few more customers too!
We don’t recommend you drink water from streams and burns. In a push you can boil water from the streams to sterilise however this is done at your own risk.
Also there’s a water refill network provided by Scottish Water.
The official West Highland Way page is the best source of information
Other good sources of information are dedicated Facebook pages, walkighlands.com and reddit.
Areas marked in pink show sections of WHW within camping byelaw restrictions. More information about these byelaws can be found on the Loch Lomond National Park website.
Stamp passports can be bought at the collection point – Creature Comforts.
If you’ve made it to the start and found you’re missing items, do not worry. The town of Milngavie will be able to sort you out. Our collection point in Creature Comforts stocks a lot of essential items including; passports & waterproof maps, walking poles, gaitors, rucksack covers, torches, midge repellent, midge hats, tick removers & ponchos.
Yes absolutely! As long as the kit is collected and returned on time you can take the kit wherever you like.
We can organise for kit to be sent up north in advance of your travels. Please note there is a charge to send kit to Fort William. At present our booking system does not have this as an option so please contact us directly to arrange.
The midges are bad 🙃 especially in peak season (July – September).
There’s some pretty simple things you can do to make it easier for yourselves:
- Midge repellent – Smidge is very popular out here and it’s not made of harmful chemicals so it’s easy on the skin
- Headnets – the look funny however you’ll thank yourselves when there’s a cloud of midges biting you
- Long clothing – long sleeves and trousers cover you up
- Surroundings – they like it where its moist and not a lot of light, so if you find well drained spots with a slight breeze you shouldn’t notice them too much
We even have a midge forecast in Scotland!
