Terms & Conditions
Guided Holidays
Contract: By making a booking with us, you are entering into a contract with Hidden Hebrides Ltd.
Booking: To reserve a place we will require a non-refundable deposit of £100 per person. The remainder of the costs must be paid in full at least 6 weeks before the start of the holiday. If the booking is made less than 6 weeks before the start of the holiday, payment must be made in full at the time of booking.
We can accept payments by cheque, bank transfer or credit / debit card.
Financial Protection: Hidden Hebrides Ltd is a company committed to customer satisfaction and consumer financial protection. We are therefore pleased to announce that, at no extra cost to you, and in accordance with ''The Package Travel, Package Tours Regulations 2018'' all passengers booking with Hidden Hebrides Ltd are fully insured for the initial deposit, and subsequently the balance of monies paid as detailed in your booking confirmation form. The policy will also include repatriation if required, arising from the cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Hidden Hebrides Ltd. This insurance has been arranged by Towergate Chapman Stevens through Zurich Insurance PLC.
Claims: In the unlikely event of Insolvency, you must Inform Towergate Chapman Stevens immediately on +44 (0) 1932 334140 or by email at tcs@towergate.co.uk . Please ensure you retain the booking confirmation form as evidence of cover and value.
Policy exclusions: This policy will not cover any monies paid for Travel Insurance or any claim relating to Air Flights. Please ensure the Company you have booked with has the appropriate CAA / ATOL Bonds in place.
Holiday Itinerary: Please be aware that the itineraries on our website and brochures should be used as a guide to your holiday and are not final. The weather in the Scottish islands can be unpredictable, so we reserve the right to amend itineraries if the weather is likely to make certain routes dangerous or unpleasant. Similarly, walk days may be switched around to make best use of the predicted weather for the week.
Alterations: We will accept alterations to your holiday up to 28 days before the start date. After this, any alterations will be regarded as a cancellation and rebooking. All alterations will incur a £30 admin fee.
Travel to and from the islands: All holidays start and end at Inverness, unless otherwise stated on our website.
Delays: Weather in the Scottish islands can be unpredictable, and there may occasionally be disruptions to flights and ferry services to the islands.
In the event of our not being able to reach our island destination (e.g. if weather conditions prevent ferries from sailing) we will arrange alternative accommodation for you. Please be aware that, especially in high season, accommodation in the Scottish Highlands can be in very short supply and you must therefore be willing to accept whatever alternative accommodation we can find for you. We will do our best to find good quality B&Bs, but we may need clients to share twin rooms in these circumstances. If we cannot find sufficient B&B accommodation it may be necessary to use hostels instead.
Please note that in these circumstances we will not be able to provide refunds if the alternative accommodation is not of the same type or quality as that originally planned, as we will still need to pay the island B&Bs for the nights that we have booked and not used.
If strong winds or other factors mean that our scheduled departure sailing may be cancelled, we may need to leave the islands a day early. In this case we will again find you alternative accommodation on the mainland, as outlined above.
Hidden Hebrides will not be responsible for any additional costs (e.g. accommodation and meals) incurred as a result of any travel delays you may encounter in reaching the start point of the holiday, though we will do our best to provide advice and assistance in the unfortunate event of this happening. Equally, we are unlikely to be able to reschedule your holiday in the event of any delays in your travel. Please make sure that your travel insurance covers you against additional costs incurred through any such delays.
Cancellations by You: If you wish to cancel you must notify us as soon as possible and confirm this in writing by recorded delivery, fax or email. Depending upon the date your cancellation is received the following amounts will be retained:
More than 41 days before start: 0%
41-28 days before start: 40%
27-14 days before start: 60%
13-8 days before start: 80%
7-0 days before start: 100%
However, if you get someone to take your place, or we can resell it, you will receive a refund of any money paid less an administration charge of £30.
Note: We appreciate that wholly unforeseen events may result in cancellation. It is therefore a requirement of our holidays that you take out travel insurance that includes irrecoverable cancellation costs.
Cancellations by Us: We reserve the right to cancel any holiday in our programme (for example, if there are insufficient bookings or if there are restrictions still in place due to Covid-19). The minimum number of bookings we require to run a holiday is just three people, so it is rare for us to have to cancel a trip. If we have to cancel a tour you will be given the option of a transferring your booking free of charge to a different holiday or a full refund.
Force Majeure: Hidden Hebrides will not be liable for any loss, damage or expense resulting from force majeure or any unforeseen circumstance out with the control of the company. Hidden Hebrides will only be liable for loss or damage caused by the proven negligence or default of Hidden Hebrides, its suppliers, agents or employees, in performing their obligations under this agreement.
Coronavirus: If the COVID-19 virus is still causing disruption at the time of your holiday we may have to cancel your tour at short notice. If this happens we will refund you the cost of your holiday or you can transfer to a future trip free of charge. We will not be liable for any additional costs that you may incur (e.g. flights, train tickets, accommodation). If we are able to run the tour we will be implementing detailed safety protocols and procedures and it is a requirement of booking that you agree to abide by these. Please be aware that in choosing to travel with Hidden Hebrides, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.
Medical Conditions: Please alert us to any medical conditions which may affect you during your holiday such as diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, vertigo or heart conditions. This information will be kept strictly confidential.
Fitness: Our holidays are not intended to be endurance tests, but a certain level of fitness is required. Most of our holidays involve walking at a very relaxed pace, and generally we cover between 6 – 10 miles each day depending on the tour. Occasional days may be a little shorter or longer than this. (See the Grading Information page on our website for information on how grade each tour). Ground conditions on the Scottish islands tend to be rough and often wet – you need to be comfortable walking off paths. Please ensure that you are fit enough to undertake the itineraries outlined in the programme for your selected holiday. As a guide, if you have any experience at all of walking in upland areas of Britain or Europe, you should be fine on our holidays.
Equipment: It is essential that you bring the appropriate equipment with you on your walking holiday. Weather in the Scottish islands is famous for its unpredictability - it is not uncommon to experience strong sunshine, ferocious gales and heavy showers all in the same week. Your equipment needs to be up to this. Failure to bring the appropriate equipment may endanger both yourself and the rest of the group.
It is your responsibility to bring appropriate walking equipment for your holiday. A list of recommended kit for the holidays is available on the Hidden Hebrides website. Failure to provide suitable equipment may result in you being unable to participate in some or all of the walks. If this happens, Hidden Hebrides will not be liable, and no compensation will be paid.
Client Behaviour & Responsibility: To ensure the safety and well being of the group, it is essential that clients abide by the decisions of the group leader at all times. If, in our opinion, your fitness levels or behaviour is such that you endanger the group or prevent the rest of the party from enjoying their holiday, you may be requested to leave the holiday. If this happens, you will not be eligible for any refund.
By making a booking with us, you are accepting that you understand the hazards involved in a walking holiday in wild, and sometimes remote terrain, and that you join us at your own risk. Hidden Hebrides cannot accept any responsibility for any loss, damage or injury that occurs, unless this is due to our negligence.
Please note that any activities you undertake during your holiday that are not under the supervision of a group leader (e.g. evening or early morning walks, swims, etc.) are entirely at your own risk.
Insurance: To take part in one of our holidays you must be covered by adequate insurance for the duration of the itinerary and for the activities undertaken. The insurance must include cover for cancellation and curtailment, medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation), personal accident, injury and death. In the event of emergency medical rescue and/or repatriation from a trip by whatever means, the responsibility of such costs will be borne by the client. It is therefore essential that adequate cover is in place.
Liability: Hidden Hebrides will accept liability for the negligence of its employees causing direct physical injury to passengers only to the extent that it is obliged under Scottish law. We cannot be held responsible for any mishap to yourself or your property, and in particular for the consequences of ferry cancellations, vehicle accidents, strikes, sickness, Government or police intervention or other such happenings amounting to force majeure.
Hidden Hebrides shall not be liable for any damages caused by the total or partial failure to carry out the holiday if such failure is: attributable to anyone other than the Hidden Hebrides leaders; unforeseeable or unavoidable and attributed to a third party unconnected to Hidden Hebrides; a result of unusual or unforeseeable circumstances, reasonably beyond the control of Hidden Hebrides; a result of an event which Hidden Hebrides or any of its agents, even with all due care, could not foresee. Where Hidden Hebrides is found to be liable for damages in respect of its failure to carry out the holiday, the maximum amount of such damages, compensation and loss of enjoyment will normally be limited to two times the cost of the trip. Where the damage relates to damage caused by the provision of road, rail, river or sea transport, or hotel accommodation, any compensation payable will be limited by the Athens Convention 1974 (sea) and the Paris Convention 1962 (hotel accommodation).
Any independent arrangements you make which are not part of the trip are entirely at your own risk. We shall not be liable for any consequential loss or costs e.g. missed transport connections incurred by you as a result of cancellations or delays experienced on the holiday.
Complaints: We will always strive to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible. In the unlikely event of any complaint please bring it to the attention of the group leader as soon as possible and they will try to resolve the situation. If this cannot be resolved, please contact us in writing within 7 days of the end of the holiday.
Self Guided Walking Holidays
Contract. By making a booking with us, you are entering into a contract with Hidden Hebrides Ltd.
Booking. To secure your booking we require a non-refundable deposit of £100 per person. The remainder of the costs must be paid in full at least 56 days before the start of the holiday. If the booking is made less than 56 days before the start of the holiday, payment must be made in full at the time of booking.
Once we receive your deposit this forms a binding contract between yourself and Hidden Hebrides Ltd. The conditions of the contract also apply to all people covered by your booking.
On receipt of your deposit we will email you a receipt showing the outstanding balance and the date this is due.
Balances must be paid 56 days before the start of the holiday. We will email all clients a reminder if their balance is overdue. If it is not paid by 6 weeks before the start of the holiday we may treat this as a cancellation and re-advertise the place(s) on the tour. In these circumstances our cancellation conditions will apply (see below).
Payment. We can accept payment by bank transfer (our preferred method), cheque or credit / debit card.
Financial Protectction. Hidden Hebrides Ltd is a company committed to customer satisfaction and consumer financial protection. We are therefore pleased to announce that, at no extra cost to you, and in accordance with ''The Package Travel, Package Tours Regulations 2018'' all passengers booking with Hidden Hebrides Ltd are fully insured for the initial deposit, and subsequently the balance of monies paid as detailed in your booking confirmation form. The policy will also include repatriation if required, arising from the cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Hidden Hebrides Ltd. This insurance has been arranged by Towergate Chapman Stevens through Zurich Insurance PLC.
Claims: In the unlikely event of Insolvency, you must Inform Towergate Chapman Stevens immediately on +44 (0) 1932 334140 or by email at tcs@towergate.co.uk . Please ensure you retain the booking confirmation form as evidence of cover and value.
Policy exclusions: This policy will not cover any monies paid for Travel Insurance or any claim relating to Air Flights. Please ensure the Company you have booked with has the appropriate CAA / ATOL Bonds in place.
Cancellations by You. If you wish to cancel you must notify us as soon as possible and confirm this in writing by email. Depending upon the date your cancellation is received the following amounts will be retained:
More than 56 days before start: Deposit only.
56-31 days before start: 50% of the cost of the holiday.
30 days or less before the start or after the holiday has commenced: 100% of the cost of the holiday.
However, if you get someone to take your place, you will receive a refund of any money paid less an administration charge of £50.
Unforeseen events can easily lead to holidays having to be cancelled. For this reason we urge all clients to take out appropriate travel insurance at the time of booking to cover themselves against holiday cancellations.
***Covid-19. Please note that, if you have to cancel your holiday due to Covid-19 (e.g. if you become ill or have to self-isolate, or if travel restrictions make reaching the islands impossible) then we will refund all money paid except for any deposits we have paid to accommodation providers that we cannot reclaim.
If you have to cancel your holiday after it has started then we will not pay any refunds.
If we cancel your holiday for any reason, including those related to Covid-19, we will refund you any money you have paid to us. We will not, however, be liable for any additional costs you may incur due to our cancellation.***
Alterations. When we receive your booking, we will make bookings with accommodation providers, ferry companies and trip operators for the holiday itinerary that you have requested. If you subsequently wish to make changes to your holiday itinerary we will do our best to help with this. However, unless we can negotiate refunds with the accommodation providers, you will still remain liable for the costs of the original itinerary, and you must agree to pay the additional costs arising from any changes you request.
Please note that we cannot accept any changes less than 30 days before the start of the holiday.
All changes will incur a £50 administration fee. If you make repeated requests for changes, each change will incur this fee.
Accommodation. Accommodation is provided in B&Bs or hotels as agreed with the client at the time of booking. Normally, all rooms will have ensuite or private bathrooms. However, it may occasionally be necessary to use accommodation with a shared bathroom if the booking is late and that is the only accommodation available.
Travel to and from the Hebrides. The price of the holiday does not include travel to and from the islands.
Delays. Weather in the Scottish islands can be unpredictable, and there may occasionally be disruptions to flights and ferry services to the islands.
In the event of travel disruption during your holiday preventing your from reaching your B&B or hotel, we will arrange alternative accommodation for you. Please be aware that, especially in high season, accommodation in the Scottish Highlands and Islands can be in very short supply and you must therefore be willing to accept whatever alternative accommodation we can find for you. We will do our best to find good quality B&Bs or hotels, but the choice of accommodation is likely to be very limited in high season.
Please note that in these circumstances we will not be able to provide refunds if the alternative accommodation is not of the same type or quality as that originally planned, as we will still need to pay the island accommodation providers for the nights that we have booked and not used.
Hidden Hebrides will not be responsible for any additional costs (e.g. accommodation) incurred as a result of any travel delays you may encounter in reaching the start point of your holiday, though we will do our best to provide advice and assistance in the unfortunate event of this happening. Equally, we may not be able to reschedule your holiday in the event of any delays in your travel. Please make sure that your travel insurance covers you against additional costs incurred through any such delays.
***Covid-19. In the very unlikely event that you contract Covid-19 during your holiday, or are required to self-isolate, please be aware that you will need to do this on the islands. Ferry and plane companies will not accept passengers in either of these circumstances.
We, along with the local health authority, will help you find accommodation if this happens, but you must accept liability for any accommodation and other costs you may incur.***
Equipment. It is essential that you bring the appropriate equipment with you on your walking holiday. Weather in the Hebrides is famous for its unpredictability - it is not uncommon to experience strong sunshine, ferocious gales and heavy showers all in the same week. Your equipment needs to be up to this. Failure to bring the appropriate equipment may put your life in danger.
It is your responsibility to bring appropriate walking equipment for your holiday. A list suggested kit for the holidays is available on the Hidden Hebrides website. This equipment list is only a suggestion, and it is up to you to ensure that you have the necessary equipment for your holiday.
The Walks. It is a fundamental condition of all our holidays that you accept that walking in the wild and sometimes remote terrain of the islands is not risk – free. By booking a holiday with Hidden Hebrides Ltd you agree that you accept and understand these risks and have the skills and experience for any walk that you choose to undertake whilst on your holiday.
The suggested walks that we provide in our information pack represent what we consider some of the finest walks on the islands. However, we accept no liability for any injury or loss that may occur to you whilst undertaking any of these walks. The decision to undertake any of the recommended walks is yours alone, and you accept that the route descriptions – whilst accurate to the best of our knowledge – may not cover all the hazards that you may encounter on the walk. Any walking (or any other activity) that you undertake whilst on your holiday is carried out entirely at your own risk.
Insurance. We very strongly recommend that you take out appropriate travel insurance for the duration of the itinerary and for the activities undertaken. The insurance must include cover for cancellation and curtailment, medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation), personal accident, injury and death. In the event of emergency medical rescue and/or repatriation from a trip by whatever means, the responsibility of such costs will be borne by the client. It is therefore essential that adequate cover is in place.
Please take out travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday. This will protect you in the case unforeseen events lead to you having to cancel your holiday with us.
Force Majeure. Hidden Hebrides will not be liable for any loss, damage or expense resulting from force majeure or any unforeseen circumstance out with the control of the company. Hidden Hebrides will only be liable for loss or damage caused by the proven negligence or default of Hidden Hebrides, its suppliers, agents or employees, in performing their obligations under this agreement.
Liability. Hidden Hebrides will accept liability for the negligence of its employees causing direct physical injury to passengers only to the extent that it is obliged under Scottish law. We cannot be held responsible for any mishap to yourself or your property, and in particular for the consequences of ferry cancellations, vehicle accidents, strikes, sickness, Government or police intervention or other such happenings amounting to force majeure.
Hidden Hebrides shall not be liable for any damages caused by the total or partial failure to carry out the holiday if such failure is: attributable to anyone other than the Hidden Hebrides leaders; unforeseeable or unavoidable and attributed to a third party unconnected to Hidden Hebrides; a result of unusual or unforeseeable circumstances, reasonably beyond the control of Hidden Hebrides; a result of an event which Hidden Hebrides or any of its agents, even with all due care, could not foresee. Where Hidden Hebrides is found to be liable for damages in respect of its failure to carry out the holiday, the maximum amount of such damages, compensation and loss of enjoyment will normally be limited to two times the cost of the trip. Where the damage relates to damage caused by the provision of road, rail, river or sea transport, or hotel accommodation, any compensation payable will be limited by the Athens Convention 1974 (sea) and the Paris Convention 1962 (hotel accommodation).
Any independent arrangements you make which are not part of the trip are entirely at your own risk. We shall not be liable for any consequential loss or costs e.g. missed transport connections incurred by you as a result of cancellations or delays experienced on the holiday.
Complaints. We will always strive to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible. In the unlikely event of any complaint please bring it to the attention of the group leader as soon as possible and they will try to resolve the situation. If this cannot be resolved, please contact us by writing within 7 days of the end of the holiday.
Guided Day Tours.
Contract. By making a booking with us, you are entering into a contract with Hidden Hebrides Ltd.
Booking. If you would like to book one of our guided day walks please contact us using the Contact Form, or ring us on the number at the bottom of the page. We will then get in touch with you to discuss your requirements, and arrange the details for the walk. If you are unsure of where you would like to go please feel free to get in touch with us to discuss the many options available to you. We will do our best to arrange a memorable day's walking that is specially tailored to your interests.
To reserve our guiding services we will require payment in full at the time of booking.
We can accept payments by cheque or by PayPal.
Cancellations by You. All guided day tours can be cancelled at any time up to 28 days in advance without charge. No refunds will be made for cancellations after this time.
Cancellations by Us. We will do our best to undertake all walks booked with us. However, we reserve the right to cancel the walk at any time for reasons outwith our control. If this occurs, a full refund will be made.
Bad Weather. Weather in the Hebrides can be unpredictable, but it is rarely dangerous. As long as you have the correct clothing, it is possible to enjoy a great day's walking whatever the weather. Strong winds, for example, offer the opportunity for spectacular coastal walks on the west side of the island, with awe inspiring waves crashing against rocky coastlines.
We will therefore only cancel a walk due to bad weather if the conditions (usually either severe gale force winds, torrential rain or unseasonal snow) make driving conditions impossible. If we are willing to lead the walk, and you decide that you no longer wish to go out due to inclement weather, we will treat this as a cancellation and no refund will be payable. In this instance, we will consider re-arranging the walk at no cost, but cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so, especially at busy times.
Medical Conditions. Please alert us to any medical conditions which may affect you on your walk, such as diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, vertigo or heart conditions. This information will be kept strictly confidential.
Equipment. Please ensure that you bring appropriate equipment along on your walk. At a minimum you will need waterproof jacket and trousers, boots or wellies, and a small daysack. Please also bring a packed lunch and juice / water.
Contract: By making a booking with us, you are entering into a contract with Hidden Hebrides Ltd.
Booking: To reserve a place we will require a non-refundable deposit of £100 per person. The remainder of the costs must be paid in full at least 6 weeks before the start of the holiday. If the booking is made less than 6 weeks before the start of the holiday, payment must be made in full at the time of booking.
We can accept payments by cheque, bank transfer or credit / debit card.
Financial Protection: Hidden Hebrides Ltd is a company committed to customer satisfaction and consumer financial protection. We are therefore pleased to announce that, at no extra cost to you, and in accordance with ''The Package Travel, Package Tours Regulations 2018'' all passengers booking with Hidden Hebrides Ltd are fully insured for the initial deposit, and subsequently the balance of monies paid as detailed in your booking confirmation form. The policy will also include repatriation if required, arising from the cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Hidden Hebrides Ltd. This insurance has been arranged by Towergate Chapman Stevens through Zurich Insurance PLC.
Claims: In the unlikely event of Insolvency, you must Inform Towergate Chapman Stevens immediately on +44 (0) 1932 334140 or by email at tcs@towergate.co.uk . Please ensure you retain the booking confirmation form as evidence of cover and value.
Policy exclusions: This policy will not cover any monies paid for Travel Insurance or any claim relating to Air Flights. Please ensure the Company you have booked with has the appropriate CAA / ATOL Bonds in place.
Holiday Itinerary: Please be aware that the itineraries on our website and brochures should be used as a guide to your holiday and are not final. The weather in the Scottish islands can be unpredictable, so we reserve the right to amend itineraries if the weather is likely to make certain routes dangerous or unpleasant. Similarly, walk days may be switched around to make best use of the predicted weather for the week.
Alterations: We will accept alterations to your holiday up to 28 days before the start date. After this, any alterations will be regarded as a cancellation and rebooking. All alterations will incur a £30 admin fee.
Travel to and from the islands: All holidays start and end at Inverness, unless otherwise stated on our website.
Delays: Weather in the Scottish islands can be unpredictable, and there may occasionally be disruptions to flights and ferry services to the islands.
In the event of our not being able to reach our island destination (e.g. if weather conditions prevent ferries from sailing) we will arrange alternative accommodation for you. Please be aware that, especially in high season, accommodation in the Scottish Highlands can be in very short supply and you must therefore be willing to accept whatever alternative accommodation we can find for you. We will do our best to find good quality B&Bs, but we may need clients to share twin rooms in these circumstances. If we cannot find sufficient B&B accommodation it may be necessary to use hostels instead.
Please note that in these circumstances we will not be able to provide refunds if the alternative accommodation is not of the same type or quality as that originally planned, as we will still need to pay the island B&Bs for the nights that we have booked and not used.
If strong winds or other factors mean that our scheduled departure sailing may be cancelled, we may need to leave the islands a day early. In this case we will again find you alternative accommodation on the mainland, as outlined above.
Hidden Hebrides will not be responsible for any additional costs (e.g. accommodation and meals) incurred as a result of any travel delays you may encounter in reaching the start point of the holiday, though we will do our best to provide advice and assistance in the unfortunate event of this happening. Equally, we are unlikely to be able to reschedule your holiday in the event of any delays in your travel. Please make sure that your travel insurance covers you against additional costs incurred through any such delays.
Cancellations by You: If you wish to cancel you must notify us as soon as possible and confirm this in writing by recorded delivery, fax or email. Depending upon the date your cancellation is received the following amounts will be retained:
More than 41 days before start: 0%
41-28 days before start: 40%
27-14 days before start: 60%
13-8 days before start: 80%
7-0 days before start: 100%
However, if you get someone to take your place, or we can resell it, you will receive a refund of any money paid less an administration charge of £30.
Note: We appreciate that wholly unforeseen events may result in cancellation. It is therefore a requirement of our holidays that you take out travel insurance that includes irrecoverable cancellation costs.
Cancellations by Us: We reserve the right to cancel any holiday in our programme (for example, if there are insufficient bookings or if there are restrictions still in place due to Covid-19). The minimum number of bookings we require to run a holiday is just three people, so it is rare for us to have to cancel a trip. If we have to cancel a tour you will be given the option of a transferring your booking free of charge to a different holiday or a full refund.
Force Majeure: Hidden Hebrides will not be liable for any loss, damage or expense resulting from force majeure or any unforeseen circumstance out with the control of the company. Hidden Hebrides will only be liable for loss or damage caused by the proven negligence or default of Hidden Hebrides, its suppliers, agents or employees, in performing their obligations under this agreement.
Coronavirus: If the COVID-19 virus is still causing disruption at the time of your holiday we may have to cancel your tour at short notice. If this happens we will refund you the cost of your holiday or you can transfer to a future trip free of charge. We will not be liable for any additional costs that you may incur (e.g. flights, train tickets, accommodation). If we are able to run the tour we will be implementing detailed safety protocols and procedures and it is a requirement of booking that you agree to abide by these. Please be aware that in choosing to travel with Hidden Hebrides, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.
Medical Conditions: Please alert us to any medical conditions which may affect you during your holiday such as diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, vertigo or heart conditions. This information will be kept strictly confidential.
Fitness: Our holidays are not intended to be endurance tests, but a certain level of fitness is required. Most of our holidays involve walking at a very relaxed pace, and generally we cover between 6 – 10 miles each day depending on the tour. Occasional days may be a little shorter or longer than this. (See the Grading Information page on our website for information on how grade each tour). Ground conditions on the Scottish islands tend to be rough and often wet – you need to be comfortable walking off paths. Please ensure that you are fit enough to undertake the itineraries outlined in the programme for your selected holiday. As a guide, if you have any experience at all of walking in upland areas of Britain or Europe, you should be fine on our holidays.
Equipment: It is essential that you bring the appropriate equipment with you on your walking holiday. Weather in the Scottish islands is famous for its unpredictability - it is not uncommon to experience strong sunshine, ferocious gales and heavy showers all in the same week. Your equipment needs to be up to this. Failure to bring the appropriate equipment may endanger both yourself and the rest of the group.
It is your responsibility to bring appropriate walking equipment for your holiday. A list of recommended kit for the holidays is available on the Hidden Hebrides website. Failure to provide suitable equipment may result in you being unable to participate in some or all of the walks. If this happens, Hidden Hebrides will not be liable, and no compensation will be paid.
Client Behaviour & Responsibility: To ensure the safety and well being of the group, it is essential that clients abide by the decisions of the group leader at all times. If, in our opinion, your fitness levels or behaviour is such that you endanger the group or prevent the rest of the party from enjoying their holiday, you may be requested to leave the holiday. If this happens, you will not be eligible for any refund.
By making a booking with us, you are accepting that you understand the hazards involved in a walking holiday in wild, and sometimes remote terrain, and that you join us at your own risk. Hidden Hebrides cannot accept any responsibility for any loss, damage or injury that occurs, unless this is due to our negligence.
Please note that any activities you undertake during your holiday that are not under the supervision of a group leader (e.g. evening or early morning walks, swims, etc.) are entirely at your own risk.
Insurance: To take part in one of our holidays you must be covered by adequate insurance for the duration of the itinerary and for the activities undertaken. The insurance must include cover for cancellation and curtailment, medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation), personal accident, injury and death. In the event of emergency medical rescue and/or repatriation from a trip by whatever means, the responsibility of such costs will be borne by the client. It is therefore essential that adequate cover is in place.
Liability: Hidden Hebrides will accept liability for the negligence of its employees causing direct physical injury to passengers only to the extent that it is obliged under Scottish law. We cannot be held responsible for any mishap to yourself or your property, and in particular for the consequences of ferry cancellations, vehicle accidents, strikes, sickness, Government or police intervention or other such happenings amounting to force majeure.
Hidden Hebrides shall not be liable for any damages caused by the total or partial failure to carry out the holiday if such failure is: attributable to anyone other than the Hidden Hebrides leaders; unforeseeable or unavoidable and attributed to a third party unconnected to Hidden Hebrides; a result of unusual or unforeseeable circumstances, reasonably beyond the control of Hidden Hebrides; a result of an event which Hidden Hebrides or any of its agents, even with all due care, could not foresee. Where Hidden Hebrides is found to be liable for damages in respect of its failure to carry out the holiday, the maximum amount of such damages, compensation and loss of enjoyment will normally be limited to two times the cost of the trip. Where the damage relates to damage caused by the provision of road, rail, river or sea transport, or hotel accommodation, any compensation payable will be limited by the Athens Convention 1974 (sea) and the Paris Convention 1962 (hotel accommodation).
Any independent arrangements you make which are not part of the trip are entirely at your own risk. We shall not be liable for any consequential loss or costs e.g. missed transport connections incurred by you as a result of cancellations or delays experienced on the holiday.
Complaints: We will always strive to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible. In the unlikely event of any complaint please bring it to the attention of the group leader as soon as possible and they will try to resolve the situation. If this cannot be resolved, please contact us in writing within 7 days of the end of the holiday.
Self Guided Walking Holidays
Contract. By making a booking with us, you are entering into a contract with Hidden Hebrides Ltd.
Booking. To secure your booking we require a non-refundable deposit of £100 per person. The remainder of the costs must be paid in full at least 56 days before the start of the holiday. If the booking is made less than 56 days before the start of the holiday, payment must be made in full at the time of booking.
Once we receive your deposit this forms a binding contract between yourself and Hidden Hebrides Ltd. The conditions of the contract also apply to all people covered by your booking.
On receipt of your deposit we will email you a receipt showing the outstanding balance and the date this is due.
Balances must be paid 56 days before the start of the holiday. We will email all clients a reminder if their balance is overdue. If it is not paid by 6 weeks before the start of the holiday we may treat this as a cancellation and re-advertise the place(s) on the tour. In these circumstances our cancellation conditions will apply (see below).
Payment. We can accept payment by bank transfer (our preferred method), cheque or credit / debit card.
Financial Protectction. Hidden Hebrides Ltd is a company committed to customer satisfaction and consumer financial protection. We are therefore pleased to announce that, at no extra cost to you, and in accordance with ''The Package Travel, Package Tours Regulations 2018'' all passengers booking with Hidden Hebrides Ltd are fully insured for the initial deposit, and subsequently the balance of monies paid as detailed in your booking confirmation form. The policy will also include repatriation if required, arising from the cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Hidden Hebrides Ltd. This insurance has been arranged by Towergate Chapman Stevens through Zurich Insurance PLC.
Claims: In the unlikely event of Insolvency, you must Inform Towergate Chapman Stevens immediately on +44 (0) 1932 334140 or by email at tcs@towergate.co.uk . Please ensure you retain the booking confirmation form as evidence of cover and value.
Policy exclusions: This policy will not cover any monies paid for Travel Insurance or any claim relating to Air Flights. Please ensure the Company you have booked with has the appropriate CAA / ATOL Bonds in place.
Cancellations by You. If you wish to cancel you must notify us as soon as possible and confirm this in writing by email. Depending upon the date your cancellation is received the following amounts will be retained:
More than 56 days before start: Deposit only.
56-31 days before start: 50% of the cost of the holiday.
30 days or less before the start or after the holiday has commenced: 100% of the cost of the holiday.
However, if you get someone to take your place, you will receive a refund of any money paid less an administration charge of £50.
Unforeseen events can easily lead to holidays having to be cancelled. For this reason we urge all clients to take out appropriate travel insurance at the time of booking to cover themselves against holiday cancellations.
***Covid-19. Please note that, if you have to cancel your holiday due to Covid-19 (e.g. if you become ill or have to self-isolate, or if travel restrictions make reaching the islands impossible) then we will refund all money paid except for any deposits we have paid to accommodation providers that we cannot reclaim.
If you have to cancel your holiday after it has started then we will not pay any refunds.
If we cancel your holiday for any reason, including those related to Covid-19, we will refund you any money you have paid to us. We will not, however, be liable for any additional costs you may incur due to our cancellation.***
Alterations. When we receive your booking, we will make bookings with accommodation providers, ferry companies and trip operators for the holiday itinerary that you have requested. If you subsequently wish to make changes to your holiday itinerary we will do our best to help with this. However, unless we can negotiate refunds with the accommodation providers, you will still remain liable for the costs of the original itinerary, and you must agree to pay the additional costs arising from any changes you request.
Please note that we cannot accept any changes less than 30 days before the start of the holiday.
All changes will incur a £50 administration fee. If you make repeated requests for changes, each change will incur this fee.
Accommodation. Accommodation is provided in B&Bs or hotels as agreed with the client at the time of booking. Normally, all rooms will have ensuite or private bathrooms. However, it may occasionally be necessary to use accommodation with a shared bathroom if the booking is late and that is the only accommodation available.
Travel to and from the Hebrides. The price of the holiday does not include travel to and from the islands.
Delays. Weather in the Scottish islands can be unpredictable, and there may occasionally be disruptions to flights and ferry services to the islands.
In the event of travel disruption during your holiday preventing your from reaching your B&B or hotel, we will arrange alternative accommodation for you. Please be aware that, especially in high season, accommodation in the Scottish Highlands and Islands can be in very short supply and you must therefore be willing to accept whatever alternative accommodation we can find for you. We will do our best to find good quality B&Bs or hotels, but the choice of accommodation is likely to be very limited in high season.
Please note that in these circumstances we will not be able to provide refunds if the alternative accommodation is not of the same type or quality as that originally planned, as we will still need to pay the island accommodation providers for the nights that we have booked and not used.
Hidden Hebrides will not be responsible for any additional costs (e.g. accommodation) incurred as a result of any travel delays you may encounter in reaching the start point of your holiday, though we will do our best to provide advice and assistance in the unfortunate event of this happening. Equally, we may not be able to reschedule your holiday in the event of any delays in your travel. Please make sure that your travel insurance covers you against additional costs incurred through any such delays.
***Covid-19. In the very unlikely event that you contract Covid-19 during your holiday, or are required to self-isolate, please be aware that you will need to do this on the islands. Ferry and plane companies will not accept passengers in either of these circumstances.
We, along with the local health authority, will help you find accommodation if this happens, but you must accept liability for any accommodation and other costs you may incur.***
Equipment. It is essential that you bring the appropriate equipment with you on your walking holiday. Weather in the Hebrides is famous for its unpredictability - it is not uncommon to experience strong sunshine, ferocious gales and heavy showers all in the same week. Your equipment needs to be up to this. Failure to bring the appropriate equipment may put your life in danger.
It is your responsibility to bring appropriate walking equipment for your holiday. A list suggested kit for the holidays is available on the Hidden Hebrides website. This equipment list is only a suggestion, and it is up to you to ensure that you have the necessary equipment for your holiday.
The Walks. It is a fundamental condition of all our holidays that you accept that walking in the wild and sometimes remote terrain of the islands is not risk – free. By booking a holiday with Hidden Hebrides Ltd you agree that you accept and understand these risks and have the skills and experience for any walk that you choose to undertake whilst on your holiday.
The suggested walks that we provide in our information pack represent what we consider some of the finest walks on the islands. However, we accept no liability for any injury or loss that may occur to you whilst undertaking any of these walks. The decision to undertake any of the recommended walks is yours alone, and you accept that the route descriptions – whilst accurate to the best of our knowledge – may not cover all the hazards that you may encounter on the walk. Any walking (or any other activity) that you undertake whilst on your holiday is carried out entirely at your own risk.
Insurance. We very strongly recommend that you take out appropriate travel insurance for the duration of the itinerary and for the activities undertaken. The insurance must include cover for cancellation and curtailment, medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation), personal accident, injury and death. In the event of emergency medical rescue and/or repatriation from a trip by whatever means, the responsibility of such costs will be borne by the client. It is therefore essential that adequate cover is in place.
Please take out travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday. This will protect you in the case unforeseen events lead to you having to cancel your holiday with us.
Force Majeure. Hidden Hebrides will not be liable for any loss, damage or expense resulting from force majeure or any unforeseen circumstance out with the control of the company. Hidden Hebrides will only be liable for loss or damage caused by the proven negligence or default of Hidden Hebrides, its suppliers, agents or employees, in performing their obligations under this agreement.
Liability. Hidden Hebrides will accept liability for the negligence of its employees causing direct physical injury to passengers only to the extent that it is obliged under Scottish law. We cannot be held responsible for any mishap to yourself or your property, and in particular for the consequences of ferry cancellations, vehicle accidents, strikes, sickness, Government or police intervention or other such happenings amounting to force majeure.
Hidden Hebrides shall not be liable for any damages caused by the total or partial failure to carry out the holiday if such failure is: attributable to anyone other than the Hidden Hebrides leaders; unforeseeable or unavoidable and attributed to a third party unconnected to Hidden Hebrides; a result of unusual or unforeseeable circumstances, reasonably beyond the control of Hidden Hebrides; a result of an event which Hidden Hebrides or any of its agents, even with all due care, could not foresee. Where Hidden Hebrides is found to be liable for damages in respect of its failure to carry out the holiday, the maximum amount of such damages, compensation and loss of enjoyment will normally be limited to two times the cost of the trip. Where the damage relates to damage caused by the provision of road, rail, river or sea transport, or hotel accommodation, any compensation payable will be limited by the Athens Convention 1974 (sea) and the Paris Convention 1962 (hotel accommodation).
Any independent arrangements you make which are not part of the trip are entirely at your own risk. We shall not be liable for any consequential loss or costs e.g. missed transport connections incurred by you as a result of cancellations or delays experienced on the holiday.
Complaints. We will always strive to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible. In the unlikely event of any complaint please bring it to the attention of the group leader as soon as possible and they will try to resolve the situation. If this cannot be resolved, please contact us by writing within 7 days of the end of the holiday.
Guided Day Tours.
Contract. By making a booking with us, you are entering into a contract with Hidden Hebrides Ltd.
Booking. If you would like to book one of our guided day walks please contact us using the Contact Form, or ring us on the number at the bottom of the page. We will then get in touch with you to discuss your requirements, and arrange the details for the walk. If you are unsure of where you would like to go please feel free to get in touch with us to discuss the many options available to you. We will do our best to arrange a memorable day's walking that is specially tailored to your interests.
To reserve our guiding services we will require payment in full at the time of booking.
We can accept payments by cheque or by PayPal.
Cancellations by You. All guided day tours can be cancelled at any time up to 28 days in advance without charge. No refunds will be made for cancellations after this time.
Cancellations by Us. We will do our best to undertake all walks booked with us. However, we reserve the right to cancel the walk at any time for reasons outwith our control. If this occurs, a full refund will be made.
Bad Weather. Weather in the Hebrides can be unpredictable, but it is rarely dangerous. As long as you have the correct clothing, it is possible to enjoy a great day's walking whatever the weather. Strong winds, for example, offer the opportunity for spectacular coastal walks on the west side of the island, with awe inspiring waves crashing against rocky coastlines.
We will therefore only cancel a walk due to bad weather if the conditions (usually either severe gale force winds, torrential rain or unseasonal snow) make driving conditions impossible. If we are willing to lead the walk, and you decide that you no longer wish to go out due to inclement weather, we will treat this as a cancellation and no refund will be payable. In this instance, we will consider re-arranging the walk at no cost, but cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so, especially at busy times.
Medical Conditions. Please alert us to any medical conditions which may affect you on your walk, such as diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, vertigo or heart conditions. This information will be kept strictly confidential.
Equipment. Please ensure that you bring appropriate equipment along on your walk. At a minimum you will need waterproof jacket and trousers, boots or wellies, and a small daysack. Please also bring a packed lunch and juice / water.