FAQs

Booking events with Hillgoers

  • Check out our Outdoor Events for pre-arranged events, or contact us to arrange a bespoke adventure.

  • A bespoke outdoor adventure is anything you want it to be! Adventures can last from a few hours to multi-day, and can encompass a variety of activities, including, but not limited to, hill fishing, camping, wildlife spotting, or scaling a summit you haven’t seen before. Hillgoers qualified mountain leaders will recommend experiences suited to your individual requirements. Contact us for more information or to discuss your individual requirements, and we’ll build a bespoke adventure together!

  • Hillgoers are unlikely to cancel a booked event. However, if it is necessary e.g. due to high wind forecast, we will notify you as soon as possible to arrange an alternative date.

  • If you can’t make an event, Hillgoers will work with you to try and rearrange it for another day. Booking terms do apply, please see our Terms & Conditions page.

  • We operate anywhere in Scotland but can go further afield on request.

  • Typically, walks/events last for a half day to a full day. Bespoke events, however, can last for a couple of hours, or be multi-day treks.

  • You can take advantage of the fact that all of Hillgoers’ mountain leaders are highly qualified and fully insured, to arrange a fun, informative day out in the Scottish wilderness for you and your team. We can provide a full risk assessment for the booked activity, be it a guided walk or navigation session. Our guides are trained to competently look after the whole team, ensuring they are engaged and motivated. Whether a gentle wilderness walk, tackling a munro or achieving a navigation certificate, your team will come away with a sense of achievement.

 

Kit and Equipment

  • As a minimum, each person needs a light day sack containing enough water and food (e.g. a sandwich, fruit, snack bar and chocolates for your Hillgoers’ guide ;)) for a day on the hill.

    Essentials

    • Comfortable walking boots / trail shoes with good grip

    • Waterproof jacket and trousers

    • Hat and gloves

    • Layers of clothing (avoid cotton t-shirts and jeans as they hold moisture)

    • An additional warm layer (e.g. fleece or down coat)

    • Sunglasses, sun cream, midge spray, depending on the time of year

    Optional

    • Walking poles are great for taking the strain off your knees and for balance

    • Camera / mobile phone

    See out kit list page

    We’re happy to advise if you have questions and have lots of useful kit in our Hiking Equipment Shop

  • Hillgoers provides highly qualified mountain leaders, who are also trained in outdoor first aid. For hiking kit requirements, we have much of what you require in our Hillgoers Hiking Equipment Shop.

    Contact us for more information.

Navigation Courses

  • See ‘What should I bring on my Hillgoers guided hill walk?’

  • It's possible to gain a navigation certificate- bronze, silver or gold - if you complete a day’s training and a day's assessment. See our Hill Skills Courses page for the navigation courses available or contact Hillgoers for more information.

Camping

  • We have a spring, summer & autumn camping kit download available here

 

Your safety

  • All mountain leaders have been trained and assessed in association with the Mountain Training Association, which means they can lead groups anywhere in the UK within the remit of their qualification. They are also trained in first aid. To pass the Mountain Leader qualification, guides must also have a high level of environmental awareness.

  • All of Hillgoers mountain leaders are highly qualified and trained in first aid. Owing to a wealth of experience, they instinctively know to calmly and competently handle emergency situations. If a casualty can no longer continue their walk, they will be taken back to their car and looked after from there. If required, your guide will contact the police, who will arrange for a Mountain Rescue team. There is no charge for a mountain rescue in the UK. All the teams are highly dedicated volunteers that rely on fundraising to keep going.

The great scottish weather

  • Hillgoers mountain leaders keep a close eye on the forecasts before we set out on our trips. If the outlook is unfavourable, we will postpone or modify the trip to ensure you can still have enjoyable experience. Our guides are trained to interpret the weather on the hill and will take the necessary precautions to keep the group safe. Wind is the main issue and this is usually predicted by forecast, while rain can be kept out with waterproofs.

Everything else

  • Mountaineering Scotland provide good advice on where to “go” in the great outdoors. We also try to start and finish our walks where there are proper facilities nearby. From our list of common walk start and stop points, the following conveniences are normally available, Ballater Square, Braemar village car park, Glenshee Ski Centre, Cairngorm Ski Centre, Bennachie Visitors Centre (during weekends in the winter).

  • Of course! Please visit our shop

  • Please get in touch