Q&A WITH HIGHLAND TRANSFERS
Head Sherpa Ryan Davidson set up Highland Transfers in 2019. Here, we ask him about his West Highland Way ‘journey’.
Q: HOW DID HIGHLAND TRANSFERS BEGIN?
I first did the West Highland Way in 2008 with a couple of friends. We weren’t savvy about packing and decided to pack a 5-man tent for the 3 of us for comfortable sleeping space. The idea was to rotate a bag between us throughout the day over the 5 days. By the time we got to the top of Conic Hill, with legs shaking, sore shoulders and sore feet, we decided to ditch the camping! We booked accommodation and made our bags lighter to enjoy it a lot more. I decided to start Highland Transfers in August 2019 to trial it for a few months before the season closed in October. Due to the pandemic, our first full season was 2022.
Q: HOW DOES YOUR DAY START?
Like all super strong athletes they start with stretches – our adventure support drivers have to prep themselves for some heavy lifting! Our drivers head to meet clients in Glasgow to collect bags or get to Milngavie train station for 8am to collect adventurers dropping their bags off or starting out on the trail.
Q: BEST THING ABOUT THE JOB?
We love meeting people at the start of the walk, hearing the excitement in their voices. Some people are apprehensive about the walk ahead, and we get to help calm their nerves. We then love catching up with them at the end – the contrast in them from the start of their walk to the end is incredible. That pride and sense of achievement you see on their faces makes this job one of the best in the world.
Q: HAVE ALL YOUR TEAM DONE THE WHW?
I’ve run and walked the Way but our adventure support driver, Michael, trumps everyone: he’s walked it an incredible 7 times!
Q: FAVOURITE PLACES TO STOP FOR A WEE BREAK?
There are so many on the West Highland Way, but some of our favourites are Loch Tulla Viewpoint and Kinghouse. You have the deer and Buachaille Etive Mòr, does it get any more Scottish than that?! Makes you want to get some haggis, recite some Robert Burns and wash it down with some Irn-Bru (or whisky if you’re not driving!)
Q: WHAT’S THE HARDEST PART OF THE JOB?
Other than jealousy that it’s not us walking, the hardest part is probably the traffic. We’re driving the most beautiful part of the world and so are thousands of other people – it can cause the traffic to slow up. Not such a bad complaint to have when you have those views to distract you whilst you wait!
Q: ANY PARTICULARLY MEMORABLE STORIES YOU CAN TELL US?
The Way is all about creating memories! We’ve seen couples getting engaged whilst walking with us; we’ve had a few honeywalkers (honeymooners) trekking and seeing young families take it on is always treasured, especially when we had a family with a 1 year old on their backs! We’ve also had families cherishing their final adventures with loved ones which really stand out as special memories.
