No one is expected to carry two weeks of supplies on their back. Most Challengers will resupply every 3-5 days when passing through towns and villages. You can resupply in several ways:
Shop locally
We encourage Challengers to use local shops whenever possible. Supporting Highland village economies was one of the founding principles of the Challenge. Many village shops are only viable if visitors as well as locals shop there. It’s a case of use them or lose them!
However, you need to do your research checking opening times and availability of less common items. Google, or other search engines, are your friends here.
If you need an outdoor specialist shop you will only find these in larger towns such as Oban, Inverness, Aviemore, Pitlochry, Braemar and Ballater.
Resupply parcels
If you have prebooked accommodation you will find most proprietors will hold a parcel for you. Make sure you ask first, occasionally somewhere can’t, and warn them when the parcel is posted. There are some places that will hold parcels even if you are not staying:
- Ault-na-Goire, Errogie (NH 544 229), the Sutherlands offer a great welcome along with camping and they will also hold resupply parcels if asked in advance. Contact details are in the Event Details.
- Newtonmore Hostel (or one of the Coordinator’s houses). The hostel is up for sale but, should that happen before May, one of us will hold parcels at our house. We’ll give details in the Spring.
- Mar Lodge, west of Braemar, will hold re-supply parcels but cannot take any responsibility for them as they will be left unattended in the Stables building for collection. Parcels should be marked clearly with your name, Challenge number and “TGOC for collection” and send to: Rangers Office, Mar Lodge Estate, Braemar, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5YJ.
- Park Hotel, Montrose. You might fancy some clean clothes to go with you brand new TGO Challenge T-shirt. Parcels can be sent to TGOC Challenge Control, The Park Hotel, John Street, Montrose, DD10 8RJ and collected when you sign out. Please ensure your Challenge number (issued in April) and name are clear and send them just before you leave home so the hotel does not have to store them for too long.
Please note you CANNOT send resupply parcels to St Drostan’s, Tarfside or to Callater Lodge.
Overseas Challengers may find it easier to send on supplies once in the UK. The Post Office Click and Drop service might be useful here.
Outdoor Food and Gear Suppliers
Mountain Trails, Basecamp Food and TentMeals all offer discounts to Challengers and will post food to prebooked accommodation for you. This can be very useful to overseas Challengers who may have issues importing food in luggage. See the Special Offers page.
Our sponsors Ultralight Outdoor Gear have rescued quite a few Challengers’ crossings by sending replacement gear to a B&B or hotel. Just bear in mind 24hr delivery sometimes takes 48hrs or more in the Challenge Area. That’s not the supplier’s fault – just a reality of life in the Highlands!
Gas and other fuel supplies
You need to plan carefully where you will pick up these, as gas and other fuel cannot be sent through the post or taken on planes so you need to pick them up enroute. You should find supplies in any town or village with an Outdoor Shop (e.g. Inverness, Aviemore, Pitlochry, Braemar, Ballater) but it can be trickier elsewhere. Below are places where you can pick up supplies in places without a dedicated outdoors equipment retailer:
- Fort Augustus – Tarff Trading is a community run store which sells gas canisters and some food supplies.
- Old School Hostel, Dalwhinnie. Lee holds some supplies, which he will sell onto walkers.
- Newtonmore Hostel. We will buy in supplies to order and sell them at cost price until we leave for Montrose on the middle Friday. You need to email us in the Spring (not before April please).
For those flying to Scotland, supplies can be picked up at Outdoor Specialists shops ( e.g. Tiso, Blacks) within walking distance of train/bus stations in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. It’s worth ensuring your travel arrangements fit with opening hours.