Covid-19 (Coronavirus): Latest holiday advice and information
We are intending to run a full programme of guided walking holidays in 2021 and are greatly looking forward to getting our boots back on and taking clients to countless fabulous corners of our beautiful islands!
However, the situation we are all facing at the moment is unlike anything any of us has ever experienced and we understand that you will have lots of questions about our tours, and how we can operate them safely. We hope the following information is helpful and answers most of your queries. If you are unsure about any aspect of our tours just contact us at info@hiddenhebrides.co.uk and we will do our best to help.
What is the current situation with Covid-19 in Scotland?
Full details of the number of cases and current restrictions can be found at the Scottish Government website: www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19. Numbers of cases are greatly reduced from the height of the pandemic in January 2021, though there are still significant numbers of daily infections occurring throughout the country.
At present mainland Scotland is in Tier 4, the highest level of the Scottish Government's tier system, whilst a few off-shore islands, such as the Outer Hebrides and Orkney, are in the slightly less onerous Tier 3. These levels preclude us running any tours at present. However, as the vaccine roll out gathers pace we are confident that restrictions will be eased and we expect conditions to be significantly better by the start of May.
The Scottish Government has announced that all hospitality businesses (hotels, B&Bs and restaurants) will be able to open from 26th April, though some restrictions (such as restricted opening hours for restaurants) will remain in place. Many of these restrictions are expected to be relaxed further from 17th May and it is hoped that most restrictions will be lifted by June. All this, of course, is dependent on the pandemic remaining under control and continued good progress with the vaccine rollout.
Our programme starts on 8th May and we are hoping to be able to run all our scheduled trips this summer (provided, of course, that further restrictions are not introduced over the coming months).
What if I intend to travel from abroad?
If you intend to visit us from outside the UK you must check the following section of the Scottish Government's website for any restrictions or quarantine requirements before you travel:
www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-public-health-checks-at-borders/pages/overview/
We strongly recommend that you also check your own government's website for any restrictions they may have imposed on international travel.
Will my tour go ahead?
Yes, if at all possible. At present it looks like all over 50s should have been vaccinated by the start of our season in May which should allow us to run our trips with a high degree of safety for our clients, staff and the island communities we will be visiting. However, we all know how quickly things can change with Covid so please be aware that some things may be outside of our control. We always follow Scottish Government guidance so it is possible that we may have to cancel trips at short notice if new restrictions are suddenly introduced. In these circumstances we will rearrange your trip for later in the season or 2022 or refund you any money you have paid - the choice is yours.
Please be aware that if we have to cancel a trip due to Covid (e.g. through government restrictions being introduced, clients or guides falling ill or having to self-isolate) we will not be able to refund you any additional expenses you may have incurred. Please make sure you take out travel insurance which includes cancellation costs due to Covid at the time of booking or as soon as possible. Further information on travel insurers is provided below.
Do I need to be vaccinated to come on your trips?
We will require all UK clients on our tours to have received their Covid vaccinations before travelling with us, if it is available in your area and to your age group. If possible, please leave at least 10 days after your first vaccination before joining the group. If you are not eligible for a vaccination at the time of your holiday then you may still travel with us, but this is at your own risk.
All clients coming from abroad must confirm that they have received their Covid vaccinations before joining our holidays.
What will I need to do before joining the tour?
Four weeks before the start of your holiday we will send you a factsheet containing lots of useful information about your trip. This will include details of any Covid related safety precautions we will be asking you to take whilst on the tour.
Before joining the group please ensure that you have had your Covid vaccinations, if they are available in your area to your age group. In addition, please ensure that you bring at least two face masks with you - these will be required whilst travelling on the minibus, on ferries and in most shops and visitor attractions.
What safety precautions will you be taking?
The safety of our clients and staff has always been our number one priority on our holidays. Whilst all our clients and staff will have been vaccinated, Covid is still likely to be present in Scotland this summer and we will all have a responsibility not to pass the virus on to others, especially the remote island communities we will be visiting.
During our tours we will therefore be putting in place a range of measures to reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus and we ask that you follow any safety guidance given by your guide. Our safety procedures will be informed by guidance from the Scottish Government and tourism industry groups. Specific measures that we are taking this summer include the following:
What happens if I develop Covid, have to self-isolate or need to care for close relatives with Covid before the start of the trip?
In these circumstances you will not be allowed to join the tour. We will, however, allow you reschedule to another tour later in the season or in 2022 free of charge. Alternatively, you may cancel your booking and receive a full refund.
What happens if I develop Covid symptoms during the tour?
In these circumstances you will need to self isolate for 14 days. Please note that in these unlikely circumstances you will not be able to leave whichever island you are on until the end of the isolation period. You may need to move to separate accommodation away from the rest of the group and will not be able to take part in any group walks or meals. We, and the relevant island health board, will help you with these arrangements.
You will also be unable to travel back to the mainland with the rest of the group so will need to return separately once your isolation period has ended. In these circumstances we will assist you with your arrangements but you will need to cover any additional costs you may incur. Please make sure your travel insurance covers such additional costs.
Will we need to socially distance during the tour?
In all likelihood, yes. It is impossible to know what the situation will be like in May, but our best guess is that social distancing requirements will still be in place. If this is the case we will need to socially distance at all times during the tour.
Will I need to wear a face mask?
Again, we do not know for sure what the regulations will be this summer but it is likely that masks will still be required when travelling in minibuses and ferries and when visiting shops and indoor tourist attractions.
Where can I find suitable travel insurance?
It is vital that you take out travel insurance that protects you against additional costs if you have to cancel your holiday if you contract Covid-19 or are told to self-isolate before or during your trip. Whilst we do not recommend particular insurers you may find the following article helpful:
www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/covid-travel-insurance-holiday-coronavirus-b1764360.html
However, the situation we are all facing at the moment is unlike anything any of us has ever experienced and we understand that you will have lots of questions about our tours, and how we can operate them safely. We hope the following information is helpful and answers most of your queries. If you are unsure about any aspect of our tours just contact us at info@hiddenhebrides.co.uk and we will do our best to help.
What is the current situation with Covid-19 in Scotland?
Full details of the number of cases and current restrictions can be found at the Scottish Government website: www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19. Numbers of cases are greatly reduced from the height of the pandemic in January 2021, though there are still significant numbers of daily infections occurring throughout the country.
At present mainland Scotland is in Tier 4, the highest level of the Scottish Government's tier system, whilst a few off-shore islands, such as the Outer Hebrides and Orkney, are in the slightly less onerous Tier 3. These levels preclude us running any tours at present. However, as the vaccine roll out gathers pace we are confident that restrictions will be eased and we expect conditions to be significantly better by the start of May.
The Scottish Government has announced that all hospitality businesses (hotels, B&Bs and restaurants) will be able to open from 26th April, though some restrictions (such as restricted opening hours for restaurants) will remain in place. Many of these restrictions are expected to be relaxed further from 17th May and it is hoped that most restrictions will be lifted by June. All this, of course, is dependent on the pandemic remaining under control and continued good progress with the vaccine rollout.
Our programme starts on 8th May and we are hoping to be able to run all our scheduled trips this summer (provided, of course, that further restrictions are not introduced over the coming months).
What if I intend to travel from abroad?
If you intend to visit us from outside the UK you must check the following section of the Scottish Government's website for any restrictions or quarantine requirements before you travel:
www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-public-health-checks-at-borders/pages/overview/
We strongly recommend that you also check your own government's website for any restrictions they may have imposed on international travel.
Will my tour go ahead?
Yes, if at all possible. At present it looks like all over 50s should have been vaccinated by the start of our season in May which should allow us to run our trips with a high degree of safety for our clients, staff and the island communities we will be visiting. However, we all know how quickly things can change with Covid so please be aware that some things may be outside of our control. We always follow Scottish Government guidance so it is possible that we may have to cancel trips at short notice if new restrictions are suddenly introduced. In these circumstances we will rearrange your trip for later in the season or 2022 or refund you any money you have paid - the choice is yours.
Please be aware that if we have to cancel a trip due to Covid (e.g. through government restrictions being introduced, clients or guides falling ill or having to self-isolate) we will not be able to refund you any additional expenses you may have incurred. Please make sure you take out travel insurance which includes cancellation costs due to Covid at the time of booking or as soon as possible. Further information on travel insurers is provided below.
Do I need to be vaccinated to come on your trips?
We will require all UK clients on our tours to have received their Covid vaccinations before travelling with us, if it is available in your area and to your age group. If possible, please leave at least 10 days after your first vaccination before joining the group. If you are not eligible for a vaccination at the time of your holiday then you may still travel with us, but this is at your own risk.
All clients coming from abroad must confirm that they have received their Covid vaccinations before joining our holidays.
What will I need to do before joining the tour?
Four weeks before the start of your holiday we will send you a factsheet containing lots of useful information about your trip. This will include details of any Covid related safety precautions we will be asking you to take whilst on the tour.
Before joining the group please ensure that you have had your Covid vaccinations, if they are available in your area to your age group. In addition, please ensure that you bring at least two face masks with you - these will be required whilst travelling on the minibus, on ferries and in most shops and visitor attractions.
What safety precautions will you be taking?
The safety of our clients and staff has always been our number one priority on our holidays. Whilst all our clients and staff will have been vaccinated, Covid is still likely to be present in Scotland this summer and we will all have a responsibility not to pass the virus on to others, especially the remote island communities we will be visiting.
During our tours we will therefore be putting in place a range of measures to reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus and we ask that you follow any safety guidance given by your guide. Our safety procedures will be informed by guidance from the Scottish Government and tourism industry groups. Specific measures that we are taking this summer include the following:
- Reducing numbers on our minibuses to a maximum of 5 clients. This will allow a degree of social distancing and enhance passenger comfort whilst travelling.
- Windows will be kept open whilst travelling on minibuses to ensure a good flow of ventilation.
- Minibuses will be thoroughly cleaned before the start of each trip, with interior surfaces wiped with disinfectant.
- All staff will be fully trained in how to administer first aid whilst protecting themselves and others from the virus.
What happens if I develop Covid, have to self-isolate or need to care for close relatives with Covid before the start of the trip?
In these circumstances you will not be allowed to join the tour. We will, however, allow you reschedule to another tour later in the season or in 2022 free of charge. Alternatively, you may cancel your booking and receive a full refund.
What happens if I develop Covid symptoms during the tour?
In these circumstances you will need to self isolate for 14 days. Please note that in these unlikely circumstances you will not be able to leave whichever island you are on until the end of the isolation period. You may need to move to separate accommodation away from the rest of the group and will not be able to take part in any group walks or meals. We, and the relevant island health board, will help you with these arrangements.
You will also be unable to travel back to the mainland with the rest of the group so will need to return separately once your isolation period has ended. In these circumstances we will assist you with your arrangements but you will need to cover any additional costs you may incur. Please make sure your travel insurance covers such additional costs.
Will we need to socially distance during the tour?
In all likelihood, yes. It is impossible to know what the situation will be like in May, but our best guess is that social distancing requirements will still be in place. If this is the case we will need to socially distance at all times during the tour.
Will I need to wear a face mask?
Again, we do not know for sure what the regulations will be this summer but it is likely that masks will still be required when travelling in minibuses and ferries and when visiting shops and indoor tourist attractions.
Where can I find suitable travel insurance?
It is vital that you take out travel insurance that protects you against additional costs if you have to cancel your holiday if you contract Covid-19 or are told to self-isolate before or during your trip. Whilst we do not recommend particular insurers you may find the following article helpful:
www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/covid-travel-insurance-holiday-coronavirus-b1764360.html