Terms and conditions

Acceptance of the conditions detailed below as per Scottish Law and Custom is implied when a booking is made.

1. Payment - we accept Visa, Mastercard, Switch, Solo, JCB and Visa Electron cards
2. Children and Families - we are happy to carry children who are charged at the concessionary rate (under 12's)
3. Tours - the price quoted for each tour is inclusive of transportation and guiding only. Lunch and other refreshments are not included. Entrance fees to attractions are not included although reduced prices are sometimes available.
4. Smoking - smoking is not allowed on the mini-coach.
5. Behaviour - we reserve the right to refuse to carry any person or persons whose behaviour is causing offence or alarm to others. In such cases full cancellation charges will apply.
6. Vehicles - we reserve the right to change the type of mini-coach used if the circumstances dictate this is necessary.
7. Luggage -luggage is limited to one small item per person.
8. Alterations to Itineraries - we reserve the right to change timetables or tour itineraries due to weather, availability of attractions, roadworks or other circumstances beyond out control.
9. If you book online within 24 hours of departure you MUST also phone us to confirm your booking.
10. Cancellations - where the passenger cancels a tour reservation, the effective date of cancellation will be the date on which we receive notification by telephone, email or in writing.  Your notice of cancellation must be confirmed (in writing or verbally) as received by Heart of Scotland Tours to be effective.  No refunds are offered if a customer is late for a tour/cannot find the pick-up point. Please be there 15 mins before the advertised departure time. Cancellation charges for 2010/11 are applied as follows:
    
    • Day of departure - 100% of full cost
    • 0 - 5 days - a full refund will be granted by Heart of Scotland Tours if the seat can be resold. Every effort will be made to resell the seat but a 50% charge will be applied if the seat cannot be resold. In the event of a tour being cancelled by Heart of Scotland Tours the customer will be fully refunded and every effort made to find a suitable alternative.
    
    
11. Complaints - all complaints should be initially directed to your driver/guide who will make every effort to resolve the problem. In the event that a complaint cannot be resolved on the day of the tour then it should be made in writing to nick@heartofscotlandtours.co.uk.
12. Travel insurance is recommended.

OVERNIGHT TOURS - TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

Overnight tours are operated by Real Scottish Journeys whose terms and conditions are outlined below.

Heart of Scotland Tours terms and conditions are different and can be viewed here.

1. You are booking and paying for transportation and the services of a driver/guide only. Accommodation, meals, refreshments and entry fees are NOT included.

2. Accommodation: The cost of your accommodation is NOT included and you should budget for two nights accommodation on Skye (on the three day tour) and one night in Inverness (on the two day tour). Choose from camping (three day tour only), the best hostels in Scotland or the best B&B’s. Tell us your budget and we will try to find the best option for you. We book it in your name and you pay for it on arrival. Some B&B’s only accept cash payment and it is always a good idea to have cash when travelling in rural Scotland.

Accommodation Price Guide:

• Camping from £5 per person per night (showers included)
• Hostels from £12 to £18 per person per night (Doubles sometimes available)
• B&B from £25 to £35 per person per night
• Hotels £45+ per person per night

Real Scottish Journeys will check availability of accommodation in Skye and Inverness. Some B&B’s will offer evening meals if booked in advance. Alternatively clients will be directed to a local pub, hotel or restaurant.

Please note that accommodation may be in a rural area and may involve a short walk. If clients are self catering there will be ample opportunities to buy groceries each day. Accommodation will be reserved in the clients name in the following categories: CAMP, HOSTEL, B&B and HOTEL.

It is unlikely that the client will know the name of their accommodation prior to the morning of departure. Please note the client pays the accommodation provider directly and the client may remain liable for the total cost of the accommodation in the event of cancellation by the client. Some of the smaller family run establishments may only accept cash.

Your reservation will only be confirmed when full payment is received by Real Scottish Journeys or Heart of Scotland Tours or an agent appointed by Real Scottish Journeys or Heart of Scotland Tours.

3. Cancellations - a cancellation more than 14 days before tour departure – 100% refund. A cancellation less than 14 days before tour departure – entirely at our discretion but typically no refund unless the seat(s) can be resold in which case 100% refund.
Real Scottish Journeys or Heart of Scotland Tours reserves the right to cancel trips under exceptional circumstances.

In such cases clients will be promptly informed and offered:

• a transfer to a substitute tour or an alternative tour provided by another tour operator.
• a full or partial refund of any monies paid to Real Scottish Journeys, Heart of Scotland Tours or appointed agents.