UKC

I'm planning a 5 day trip in the cairngorms. I spent two days in the Lairig Ghru last summer, with a friend. This time I couldn't find anyone to go with and will be going alone. For my family's peace of mind I am trying to find a personal locator beacon. Last year I recall a website that would send you one for the price of shipping and a deposit but I can't seem to find it, the only other option seems to be rent one from GTC or buy one which from a brief look is expensive especially if I'm not using it. 

Any tips or advice would be much appreciated.

You could have a look at: https://www.opentracking.co.uk/tracker-hire/ might be quite expensive

Or if a regular issue Garmin mini-InReach with an on and off contract might be OK. The latter allows text messaging as well. I bought one for my partner when they entered a long winter ultra with a small field and it works well

I bought one in the sincere hope of never using it!

I bought one of these: https://www.gaelforcemarine.co.uk/Mobile/en/GB/Ocean-Signal-rescueME-PLB1/m...

I'm out a lot in remote areas either alone or as a pair so it made sense for me but with 7 year battery life even if you only carry it on one trip a year you'll probably break even or be up on rental.

These guy's have one for remoter UK hills.

https://www.tracktrail.co.uk/product-page/spot-tracker-hire

Whether you buy or hire it's worthwhile having a good think about what you do and what sort of functionality you might need.

If you just want a call the cavalry device then a PLB is the chap. It can live in the bottom of your sack and there are no additional charges.

If you want additional functionality like tracking or sending preset messages via satellite then a spot tracker is more useful.

I'll caveat my advice by saying its a year or two since I did my research.

and I hope you never have to use it

Not using in the sense of not camping alone much outside the summer, although who knows.

There was some informative discussion on this earlier this year- 

https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/gear/alternative_to_garmin_inreach_mini-7...