LOCH NESS
ISLE OF SKYE
Outlander
Highland Explorer Tours 2019 Inverness Departures FROM
RESERVATIONS: +44 (0)131 558 3738 highlandexplorertours.com FREE WIFI
£42 10%
MINI-GROUPS SAVE
AWARD-WINNING TOURS LOCAL SCOTTISH GUIDES GUARANTEED DEPARTURES Small group experience Outlander Eilean Donan Castle Whisky tasting Isle of Skye
96%
Over of our travellers recommend us on tripAdvisor
Passionate TRUSTED UNIQUE PASSIONATE: ALL SCOTLAND – Subtle flavours and magnificent mountains, friendly locals and frantic battles, beautiful lochs and boisterous traditions. We share all of Scotland’s secrets, beauty and history with a passion.
Guide Ange
LOCAL GUIDES – Knowledgeable as Celtic Druids and as fiery as Viking Warriors, our local Guides reveal all the stories and history with a passion that truly brings Scotland to life. AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES – Taste what the Scots have eaten for centuries and go to places only the locals know. We’re proud to show you the treasures that won’t be found in a guidebook.
The Storr, Isle of Skye
TRUSTED: MULTI-AWARD WINNING – Thirteen years’ experience, 5-star award from VisitScotland and TripAdvisor’s ‘Certificate of Excellence’; It’s no secret that we deliver an exceptional standard of service. SUSTAINABILITY – We protect the environment we’re passionate about. This commitment is recognised by national tourism awards, and proven by our innovative Eco Scheme where we match every £1 you donate. See page 14 for more details. OUR GUARANTEE – Our fleet is built for your comfort with USB charger points and free WiFi. We never cancel a tour and promise a fantastic time or we will refund the price of your tour.
HIGHLAND TOURS
TOUR ROUTE
1 DAY Loch Ness, Whisky & Outlander TOUR ROUTE
1 Day Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle TOUR ROUTE
Quiraing Uig Kilt Rock ISLE Achnasheen OF SKYE Portree Beauly Fairy Pools
2 DAY Isle of Skye Explorer
Clava Cairns INVERNESS ABERDEEN
Loch Ness
Eilean Donan Castle FORT WILLIAM
DUNDEE OBAN STIRLING
GLASGOW
EDINBURGH
= no. of overnights
Eilean Donan Castle
UNIQUE: EXPLORE MORE – Our trips give you versatility and the choice to see Scotland your way. Saunter around a beautiful town, delve into a historic castle; it’s your trip, and it’s your choice. SAVINGS – Mini Groups – Save 10% when ‘4 or more’ adults book any day tour together. – Multi Trip Deals – Save 10% when two day tours are booked together. FREE WIFI – Available on-board our mini-coaches
CONTENTS 1 Day Tours Loch Ness, Whisky & Outlander Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle
9 11
2 Day Tour
SMALL GROUP TOURS
Isle of Skye Explorer
13
Sustainable Tourism
14
Terms & Conditions
15
Tours at a Glance
16
we tr avel because the world is beautiful.
Loch Ness
We want to keep it that way.
DOWN UNDER TOURS a f a m i ly o f br a n d s
ttc.com
A FAMILY OF BRANDS We at The Travel Corporation (TTC), Highland Explorer Tours’ parent company, have been creating enriching travel experiences for over 100 years. As a fourth-generation, family-owned business, we provide a rich tradition of expertise, delivering exceptional hospitality, outstanding quality and superb value no matter which of our companies you choose to travel with.
EVAN EVANS
TRAVELLED BEFORE? If you are a previous guest of The Travel Corporation we would like to offer you a discount on your next adventure with us. For more information, visit ttc.com/loyalty.
AAT KINGS
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM We are proud to be active partners and supporters of the TreadRight Foundation’s sustainability work and projects. Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands, the TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that works to help ensure the environment and communities we visit remain for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has supported more than 50 sustainable projects worldwide. When travelling with Highland Explorer Tours you can support some of these projects. To learn more about our past and current projects, visit TreadRight.org.
SHAMROCKER ADVENTURES
TREES FOR LIFE UK based Trees for Life is a charity working to restore the Caledonian Forest, which formerly covered a large part of the Scottish Highlands. Since 1989, Trees for Life has been helping to bring the forest back from the brink, both through natural regeneration and by planting trees. Trees for Life is the beneficiary of Highland Explorer Tours Environmental Charity Offering Scheme. For more information see page 14.
HAGGIS ADVENTURES
7
Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness
“Highland Explorer Tours manages to pack a ton of sights and information into a one-day trip. Our tour guide, Michael, was absolutely brilliant at giving us the historical context of all the sites as well as providing much needed entertainment throughout the journey.� JOSH | JANUARY 2019
1 DAY TOUR LOCH NESS, WHISKY & OUTLANDER
LOCH NESS CRUISE OPTION
Loch Ness Urquhart Castle Beautiful Beauly Priory, as seen in Outlander Whisky distillery visit Culloden Battlefield
Clava Cairns Standing Stones – Inspiration for Craigh Na Dun in Outlander
Join us on a jam-packed journey in the Highlands, to enjoy many iconic Scottish experiences in just one day. Our adventure begins at the legendary Loch Ness, where you have the option to take a cruise to the ruins of Urquhart Castle; prime monster spotting territory! After lunch in beautiful Beauly we visit a Highland whisky distillery, where the best way to learn about the “water of life” is to taste it. Learn the true story which inspired Outlander at Culloden Battlefield, and attempt your own journey through the stones at Clava Cairns. We return to Inverness in the early evening. Depart central Inverness and journey to the world-famous Loch Ness, where you will have the option to join a cruise to the ruins of the 13th century Urquhart Castle, or to explore the nearby village of Drumnadrochit. Free time to enjoy lunch in one of the charming local cafés in beautiful Beauly and walk it off exploring Beauly Priory; used in the filming of Outlander. Our next stop is a Highland whisky distillery, where you can join an optional tour to learn about whisky production and sample a wee dram.
APRIL - SEPTEMBER
WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY & SUNDAY DEPARTS RETURNS ADULT CONCESSION
Listen to tales of the Jacobite rebellions and the brutal Battle of Culloden, on our visit to Culloden Battlefield. Outlander fans will love the mysterious burial chambers and standing stones at Clava Cairns. When you’ve heard the harrowing history behind the Outlander story, you might not want to travel back in time to meet Jamie Fraser after all! Return to Inverness in the early evening.
08:45 17:30 £45 £42
INCLUSIONS Local Scottish Guide Beauly Priory WiFi R
EXPLORE MORE Loch Ness Cruise & Urquhart Castle (ADULT / CONCESSION FROM £21.50) (Reserve at the time of booking)
Highland Whisky Distillery Tour (ADULT / CONCESSION FROM £6.00, pay in cash locally)
LOCH NESS CRUISE & URQUHART CASTLE Enjoy this fully guided cruise on the mysterious Loch Ness including entry to the ruins of Urquhart Castle situated on the north west shores of the Loch. Cruise duration approximately 1 hour. Free time at Urquhart Castle approximately 1 hour.
Culloden Visitor Centre (ADULT / CONCESSION FROM £11.50, pay locally)
ISLE OF SKYE
Beauly
Clava Cairns INVERNESS
Loch Ness FORT WILLIAM
Quiraing
ABERDEEN
Uig ISLE OF SKYE DUNDEE
OBAN STIRLING
GLASGOW
EDINBURGH
9
The Storr, Isle of Skye
“We had an amazing time on the Isle of Skye tour! Our tour guide Rich told us lots of great stories and showed us beautiful sights. Thank you for this amazing experience!” A MBER | OCTOBER 2018
1 DAY TOUR ISLE OF SKYE & EILEAN DONAN CASTLE Loch Ness
EILEAN DONAN CASTLE OPTION
Eilean Donan Castle Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye Lealt Falls, Isle of Skye Kilt Rock waterfall, Isle of Skye Portree, Isle of Skye
We depart Inverness, for a full-day adventure to the magical Isle of Skye. Drive along the world-famous Loch Ness, and towards the west coast, where mountains give way to vast sea lochs. Venture inside Eilean Donan Castle on an optional tour. Cross the Skye Bridge, and learn about the island’s history and mythology and enjoy the scenic drive, arriving back to Inverness approximately 8pm. We leave behind the ‘Capital of the Highlands’, for a full-day adventure to the magical Isle of Skye. We drive along the worldfamous Loch Ness – home of the elusive monster – and onwards through the mountains towards the west coast. Majestic mountains give way to vast sea lochs, once used by Vikings as an access route to our lands. We stop at the romantic Eilean Donan Castle with time for you to explore inside.
APRIL - SEPTEMBER
TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY DEPARTS RETURNS
After crossing the Skye Bridge, learn about the island’s myths and legends, as well as tales of rival clans and a fugitive prince. Enjoy lunch in the main town of Portee and visit the colourful harbour. Explore the Isle of Skye’s stunning coastline, and marvel at the Old Man of Storr, Lealt Falls and Kilt Rock. Take in the last of Skye’s otherworldly landscape as we drive through the Highlands back to Inverness.
08:00 20:00
ADULT CONCESSION
£59 £56
INCLUSIONS Local Scottish Guide WiFi R
EXPLORE MORE Eilean Donan Castle (ADULT / CONCESSION FROM £7.00, pay in cash locally)
EILEAN DONAN CASTLE Eilean Donan Castle is situated on a sea loch surrounded by magnificent Highland scenery. This magical and idyllic setting is what makes this one of Scotland’s most iconic attractions. Take a tour to find out about the castle's colourful history.
Kilt Rock ISLE Portree OF SKYE
Achnasheen
Eilean Donan Castle
INVERNESS
Loch Ness Quiraing
FORT WILLIAM
ABERDEEN
Uig ISLE OF SKYE DUNDEE
OBAN STIRLING
GLASGOW
EDINBURGH
11
Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye
“A brilliant tour that made me absolutely fall in love with Scotland and its castles, ancient myths and my personal favourite - the fairy pools! This trip would not have been complete without our amazing tour guide and bus driver, Kirsty. I absolutely loved her stories and her Scottish playlist!� I M A N N E | M AY 2 0 1 8
2 DAY TOUR ISLE OF SKYE E XPLORER LOCH NESS CRUISE OPTION
Loch Ness Eilean Donan Castle Fairy Pools, the Isle of Skye The Quiraing, the Isle of Skye Portree, the Isle of Skye Old Man of Storr, the Isle of Skye
Escape Inverness and embark on a two day adventure through the stunning Scottish Highlands to the enchanting Isle of Skye. After an optional cruise on Loch Ness to the ruins of Urquhart Castle, we journey through Glen Shiel, past Eilean Donan Castle, and over the Skye Bridge. Marvel at the Cuillin Mountains and magical Fairy Pools, before settling into pretty Portree for the night. Listen to myths and legends as we drive across the otherworldly landscape, to the Quiraing, Kilt Rock, Lealt Falls, and the Old Man of Storr. DAY ONE: Start the day with monster spotting at Loch Ness and take an optional cruise to the ruins of Urquhart Castle. The road to Skye is a scenic drive like no other, through the dramatic Glen Shiel, past waterfalls and sea lochs and on to the romantic Eilean Donan Castle. After crossing the iconic Skye Bridge, we journey into Skye’s ancient Cuillin Mountains to visit the vibrant, translucent Fairy Pools. Skye is a land of history and mystery, and your guide will keep you thoroughly entertained with tales of clan feuds, faeries and giants. Spend the night in Skye’s capital, Portree, where the evening is yours to visit the colourful harbour, and sample local whisky and seafood.
MAY - OCTOBER
FRIDAY
DAY TWO: After a hearty highland breakfast, we leave Portree and head to the North of the Island to visit the Quiraing and to enjoy the infamous panorama of the spectacular Skye landscape. Other highlights include Kilt Rock, Lealt Falls, and The Old Man of Storr. After another day of exploring, we leave the Isle of Skye and head back to Inverness, taking the scenic route. We arrive back in Inverness early evening after an excellent couple of days exploring the Highlands and Islands.
DEPARTS RETURNS
08:45 17:30
ADULT CONCESSION
£159 £154
INCLUSIONS Local Scottish Guide One Night B&B Accommodation WiFi R
EXPLORE MORE Loch Ness Cruise & Urquhart Castle (ADULT / CONCESSION FROM £21.50) (Reserve at the time of booking) Eilean Donan Castle (ADULT / CONCESSION FROM £7.00, pay in cash locally)
LOCH NESS CRUISE Falkland & URQUHART CASTLE Enjoy this fully guided cruise on the mysterious Loch Ness including entry Falkland to the ruins of Urquhart Castle situated on the north west shores of the Loch. Cruise duration approximately 1 hour. Free time at Urquhart Castle approximately 1 hour.
Quiraing Uig Kilt Rock ISLE OF SKYE
Portree
Achnasheen
Fairy Pools Eilean Donan Castle
INVERNESS
Loch Ness Quiraing
FORT WILLIAM
ABERDEEN
Uig ISLE OF SKYE DUNDEE
OBAN STIRLING
GLASGOW
EDINBURGH
= no. of overnights 13
WE CARE Highland Explorer Tours are delighted to have achieved gold status in the Green Tourism Business Scheme. This scheme recognises our company’s ongoing commitment towards sustainability that is achieved by excellent practices throughout the company. Coach travel has been proven to reduce congestion and cause less pollution per passenger kilometre than any other form of transportation. Our coach fleet is among the most efficient in
Europe and complies with EU emissions standards. Highland Explorer Tours has been awarded with a 5-star accreditation by Ecostar scheme that provides recognition and guidance on environmental best practice to coach operators. Highland Explorer Tours, as part of The Travel Corporation, is proud to commit to using environmentally friendly paper for the body of our brochures. This brochure is made of material from well-managed, FSC certified forests and other controlled sources.
Edinburgh
a f a m i ly o f br a n d s
ENVIRONMENTAL CHARITY OFFERING ttc.com
(ECO) SCHEME Highland Explorer Tours are committed to sustainable tourism and to preserving Scotland’s natural wildlife, environment and unique cultures for future generations to enjoy. We have pioneered an Eco Scheme where you can make an optional £2 donation when booking any tour. We will match every donation you make.
Trees for Life are an award-wining charity working to restore the Caledonian Forest in the Highlands of Scotland. The charity has funded the protection of a number of existing forest remnants and have so far planted over half a million trees. For more information go to www.highlandexplorertours.com/about-us/sustainable-tourism
ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT We are committed to making your tour with us as enjoyable as possible no matter what your individual needs are. Nevertheless, there are certain limitations that may arise due to the local and rural nature of Scotland. The following is intended to provide useful information for anyone travelling with us. Our coaches generally pick up and drop off customers at our overnight accommodation properties, although there may be a short walk to meet the coach at some locations. The accommodation establishments are of 3-star standard or equivalent and are located in a mixture of small towns and rural villages; some of which may have sloping streets and uneven paths. The properties are generally less than one mile away from the village/town centre and all the locations have taxis available on request from the accommodation reception.
14
Guest houses only provide breakfast whereas hotels have dinner and breakfast options available. There will always be vegetarian options available but in more rural locations, gluten free and dairy free options may be limited. It will not be possible for guests to prepare their own food in guest house or hotel kitchens. With only a very few exceptions all B&B and Highland hotel bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms. Level-entry showers, ground floor bedrooms and adapted toilets are very limited, only available on request and cannot be guaranteed. There may be several steps before accessing the reception area from the front entrance and Highland hotels do not have lifts/elevators. Please contact us for advice about evacuation or porters should you need assistance.
HIGHLAND EXPLORER TOURS - TERMS & CONDITIONS Once Highland Explorer Tours, a trading name of Radical Travel Group Limited, hereinafter referred to as “the Operator”, confirms your booking a contract is made between the Operator and you upon the terms and conditions set out below. Your statutory rights are not affected. In a booking with more than one passenger the “lead passenger” will be deemed to have accepted the terms and conditions on behalf of all passengers within the booking. The “lead passenger” is the passenger who makes the booking on behalf of all passengers in a multi-passenger booking and is named in the “lead passenger” field within the booking. Within these Booking Conditions, “you” and “your” means all persons named on the booking (including anyone who is added at a later date).
Photography: Scottish Viewpoint, Jacobite Cruises, Historic Scotland, David Win, DRW Photography, Dennis Hardley photography - www.scotphoto.com, Lynne Morris Photography, The Lovat Hotel, Stephen Bridger Photography, Visit Scotland, Kenny Lam, Richard Nixon, Gillian Renilson, Rich Lawrence, Sharon Pleimling, Michelle Morgan, and Graham Stevenson.
1. Booking/Acceptance 1.1 The Operator accepts a booking on the understanding that a deposit or full payment has been collected and held either by the Operator directly, or by an authorised travel agent on the Operator’s behalf. Bookings made via the Operator’s own website are considered as made with the Operator directly. 1.2 On confirmation of your booking, subject to availability and at the Operator’s discretion, the Operator will reserve your place(s) on your selected products (“tours”). It is your (or on bookings involving more than one person, the lead passenger’s) responsibility, as the customer, to check the accuracy of your booking and travel dates. A contract is only made between you and the Operator upon your booking being confirmed and accepted and communication thereof to either you or your authorised travel agent (hereinafter referred to as “confirmation”). 1.3 On confirmation of your booking, a Booking Statement indicating the amount paid and an e-ticket will be sent to either you or your travel agent. 1.4 If you wish to book to travel at student prices, you must have an ISIC, ITIC or ISE student card or a Student Flights ID Card, valid at the time of and for the duration of your travel with the operator. 2. Travelling 2.1 The Operator’s E-tickets/Booking Statements confirming ‘Full Payment’ are not transferable. Your E-ticket/Booking Statement indicating that full payment has been made must be produced at any time at the Operator’s request. Photo identification is required for all tours. 2.2 Baggage is restricted to one reasonable sized suitcase or backpack and one small carry-on bag per passenger (maximum combined weight 15kg). Baggage in excess of this limit may not be carried. 2.3 It is your responsibility to check-in with the Operator not less than 15 minutes prior to the specified departure time. The Operator will not be liable for any service that departs or returns later than its specified time, even if as a result you miss a connecting service. The Operator will use its best efforts to ensure that departure and return times are met. 3. Cancellations & Changes 3.1 Cancellation of your booking must be in writing to either the Operator (for direct or website bookings) or the authorised Agent through which your booking was made. If your booking was made through an authorised Agent, all amendments and cancellations must be made directly through the Agent and not with the Operator (the Agent may also levy cancellation charges in addition to those noted below – please check with the Agent at time of booking). When written notification has been received by the Operator, a fee will be levied to cover the costs incurred. The amount of the cancellation fee will be dependent on the number of days prior to the departure date of the tour (not including the day of departure or the day of notification). 3.2 Cancellation of individual passengers from a multiple booking where a group discount applies (‘4 or more’ discount) may mean that the discount applied on booking will be forfeited, due to the qualifying criteria no longer being met. If the cancellation results in the qualifying criteria no longer being met then the total price payable for the remaining passengers on the booking will be adjusted, and any forfeited discount will be reclaimed through deduction in calculating any refund due to the cancelling passengers. The following cancellation policies apply: HIGHLAND EXPLORER TOURS. 3.3 For trips booked more than 45 days prior to the confirmed/nominated departure date, any cancellation outside 15 days will incur a 25% fee. Any cancellation 14 days or less before the nominated date of travel will incur a 100% fee. 3.4 Add On Products: (Special conditions apply to non-standard products). Please check our website for updated terms and conditions relating to these products. 3.5 Private Group/Bespoke Group – specific cancellation fees apply to each tour, the Operator will inform you of these prior to payment. A non-refundable deposit will be required at time of booking to cover any accommodation, third party supplier, meals and attraction costs. Where bookings include entrance fees to attractions, accommodation, involve accommodation upgrades or specific accommodation requests any cancellation fees incurred by the Operator will be passed on to you in addition to the standard Private Group/Bespoke Group refund policy. 3.6 If after your booking has been confirmed, you wish to change to an alternative departure date, or wish to change to another tour, one date change per person per tour is permitted without incurring an administration fee (except where charges in lieu of clauses 3.8 or 3.9 apply) subject to the tour being available and minimum notice of 45 full days given (not including the day of departure, or the day of notification). Any additional date and/or tour changes will incur an administration fee of 25 GBP per person per tour (except where charges in lieu of clauses 3.8 or 3.9 apply) subject to the tour being available and minimum notice of 45 days given (not including the day of departure, or the day of notification). For travel during the 2019 operating season, the operator must be advised in writing of the new nominated departure date with a minimum notice of 45 days given (not including the day of departure, or the day of notification). For travel during the 2020 operating season the new departure date must be confirmed by 31st December 2019 and will be subject to the confirmed brochure prices and booking terms and conditions of the 2020 Operating season. It is your responsibility to notify the operator in writing of your new nominated departure date. If the Operator has not received notification prior to the minimum notice period given the Operator will assume that you have cancelled your tour and cancellation charges in accordance with clause 3 will be levied by the Operator. Any changes of departure date or tour where between 15 and 44 full days notice is given (not including the day of departure, or the day of notification), will incur an administration fee of 25 GBP per person per tour subject to availability and charges in lieu of clauses 3.10 or 3.11 where the new departure date/tour must be immediately nominated. These changes may result in the loss of any special discounts applied to the originally booked Tours and are in addition to any fees that may be levied by your Travel Agent. 3.7 Tour changes to one of a lower value or seasonality will result in the loss of any special discounts applied to the originally booked tour and will be subject to an administration fee equivalent to the cancellation fee on the original tour booked. 3.8 Tour
changes to one of higher value or seasonality will require the difference in price to be paid. This may also result in the loss of any special discounts applied to the originally booked tours. 3.9 If the reason for your cancellation is covered under your insurance policy, you may be able to make a claim under that policy. 3.10 No name changes are permitted. 4. Your Responsibilities 4.1 The tour products offered are forms of transportation. For this reason, the Operator’s representative cannot offer constant special attention or assistance should you have any physical disability requiring such attention. 4.2 Passengers must be aged 5 or over and be accompanied by a person 18 years or over. There is no upper age restriction. 4.3 Passengers with specific physical or medical requirements. We will try to accommodate any passenger on tour but due to the nature of the product, we are required to consider specific physical or medical requirements on a case by case basis. We also ask that all passengers familiarise themselves with our Accessibility Statement. We will do our best to accommodate any passenger who may have specific assistance requirements provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing such necessary assistance and do not require special assistance from the Operator’s personnel. Any medical or physical condition requiring third party attention or treatment must be advised in writing to our Reservations Team when the booking is made. We ask that any special requests or requirements concerning travel arrangements or accommodation also be made at time of booking to ensure we can provide the best service possible. If submitting such notification, it is your responsibility to ensure it is acknowledged with your booking confirmation. The Operator cannot guarantee travel in the absence of such an acknowledgement. We will pass on any reasonable requests to the relevant suppliers but cannot guarantee that your requests will be met. The fact that a special request has been noted on your confirmation invoice or on any other acknowledgement is not confirmation that the request will be met. Failure to meet any special requests will not be a breach of contract on our part unless the request has been specifically acknowledged and confirmed as guaranteed by our Operations Team. The Operator reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt that the individual cannot cope with the requirements of the tour and who may require services and facilities that the Operator cannot guarantee will be available. The nature of the tours means that not every type of disability can be accommodated despite reasonable endeavours of the operator. Most tours involve getting on and off coaches, trains, boats or ferries, sitting for long periods on coaches without toilet facilities, walking and other physical activities which may involve steps and stairs at sightseeing stops, visitor attractions and accommodation units. Coaches are not adapted to carry wheelchairs and do not have ramps, lift or low floor access. Collapsible wheelchairs can generally be carried in the luggage hold but you must check in advance with our Reservations Team to ensure that this is the case for your tour. The Operator cannot carry any motorised wheelchairs under any circumstances. You agree not to hold the Operator responsible for any decision made by them or by any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you, or to provide any service to you in the absence of written acknowledgement and acceptance of your special request or of your specific assistance needs from our Reservations Team. Please note that 100% cancellation charges would apply in these circumstances. 4.4 It is your responsibility to have a valid passport and all necessary visas, permits and certificates on your person for your selected itinerary, to have all necessary vaccinations and to comply with applicable laws. Schengen Visas – it is your responsibility to have your passport stamped on entry to the European Union. The Operator will not allow you to travel if you do not have a valid visa for your destination. The Operator will not allow you to travel without a valid passport. 4.5 You agree to comply with the authority of the Operator’s representative and the laws and regulations of the countries visited, including customs and foreign exchange restrictions. If you do not do so, you may, at the discretion of the Operator’s representative, be asked to leave the tour. No refunds will be issued in such circumstances. 4.6 You agree that the Operator’s representative may take photographs and films of you while you are a passenger. These may be used in the Operator’s Group brochures and/or advertising and publicity material (including social media) without obtaining any further consent or payment in respect of such photographs and/or films. 4.7 You agree that the Operator may use any text written in comments books, recorded in customer surveys or input to online forums, in Group brochures, websites and/or advertising and publicity material without obtaining any further consent or payment in respect of comments. 4.8 There may be times when the Operator’s personnel have to make a decision in the interests of safety. It is a condition of bookings that you comply with the authority and decisions of the appointed representative of the Operator. If you do not comply with the said representative or are not compatible with the general enjoyment and well-being of members of the tour, the Operator reserves the right to refuse to allow you to continue the tour. In such a case the Operator will not be liable for any refund, compensation or any additional costs incurred by you. The Operator cannot accept liability for the behaviour of others on your tour nor if any facilities are curtailed as a result of their actions. 4.9 The Operators do not tolerate any form of abuse, verbal or otherwise, of its personnel. Any passenger abusing or threatening personnel will automatically forfeit their right to onward travel. 4.10 You are responsible for looking after your personal belongings whilst travelling. The Operator cannot be held responsible for any personal belongings left behind or damaged on any tour irrespective of the circumstances. 4.11 It is the responsibility of the passenger and authorised travel agent on behalf of the passenger to check the accuracy of dates booked upon receipt of their Booking Statement confirming ‘Full Payment’. 4.12 If you paid a Concession price on booking, you will be required to prove this entitlement at check-in for each departure. Should you not be able to do this, you will be charged the difference between the normal tour price and the discounted price in addition to an administration fee of 25 GBP. 5. Local Tours & Excursions 5.1 You may have the opportunity to purchase local tours or excursions from your Guide or Check-in Staff. These tours and excursions are run by local operators and will be subject to their terms and conditions. 5.2 Local tours and excursions purchased via Guides/Check-In staff are non-refundable. It is your responsibility to meet the tour at the designated departure point and time. Travel on local tours and excursions will only be permitted on presentation of the issued voucher to the named operator. 5.3 Local tour and excursion vouchers that are lost or stolen cannot be replaced. 5.4 Please note that prices printed in brochures are correct at the time of print and maybe subject to change.
6. Insurance 6.1 There is no travel insurance cover included in the price of any tour or product represented in this brochure or on the website. 6.2 The Operator strongly recommends that you take out comprehensive insurance cover for cancellation, medical expenses, personal accident, personal baggage, money and public liability before you travel. You may also wish to indemnify the Operator against all third-party claims, actions, damages and remedies that may be brought against the Operator in respect of your travel needs/requirements. 7. Changes by The Operator 7.1 Prices in this brochure are based on costs and exchange rates at August 2018. Should these costs change it may be necessary to make a surcharge on the price of your tour. Should the total tour price increase by more than 10% you will have the right to cancel within 7 days of notification without penalty. 7.2 No surcharge in respect of costs or currency fluctuations will be made once payment of the deposit for your tour has been received. This guarantee excludes fuel surcharges and does not apply to any taxes, charges or levies imposed by any government or their agencies. In exchange for these guarantees, no refund will be made if costs are reduced. The surcharge will only be made where the increase in cost will affect the price of the tour by more than 2%. 7.3 The Operator reserves the right to vary, modify or cancel any itinerary, either part or wholly. If this is necessary, they will substitute alternative arrangements of comparable value, or at the Operator’s discretion provide a full or partial refund. 7.4 If access to any country or area is prohibited for reasons of force majeure (i.e. circumstances such as political unrest, war or threat of war, riots, civil strife, closure of airports or ports, industrial disputes, terrorist activity, natural and nuclear disasters, fire, epidemic or health risk, Acts of God, adverse weather conditions or other similar events beyond the Operator’s control) the Operator reserves the right to amend or alter the product, or fully or partially withdraw the programme. If the Operator cannot offer suitable substitute services, you will be entitled to a refund (less reasonable expenses incurred by the Operator in respect of your booking). The amount of the refund will be calculated pro-rata based on used portion of the tour. 7.5 The Operator reserves the right to alter or substitute the type of vehicle mentioned in the brochure or websites. 8. Weather Conditions 8.1 Under no circumstances can the Operator be held responsible for any delay, deviation or cancellation due to weather conditions, nor can any ticket be cancelled or amended by you at any time on the basis of weather conditions. 9. No Smoking Policy 9.1 The Operator operates a No Smoking Policy on all its vehicles. 10. Dispute Procedures 10.1 If you have a complaint in respect of any Operator, you should inform the Operator’s Representative at the time. Any complaint that cannot be resolved by the Representative should be submitted in writing within 28 days of the incident to The Customer Services Manager, Highland Explorer Tours, 60 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1TB, Scotland, United Kingdom so that your complaint can be passed to and then investigated by the Operator. The Operators will not consider complaints after the 28 day period from the end of your tour. 10.2 The contract and all matters arising in respect hereof shall be subject to Scots Law unless the Operator agrees otherwise in writing. 10.3 If any provision of this contract is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be deemed to be rewritten to give effect to the same purpose within the permitted limits of the law. The validity and enforceability of the other provisions shall not be affected. 10.4 If you are unsuccessful in any legal action instituted against the Operator, you agree to pay all the Operator’s costs, including but not limited to attorney/client costs. 10.5 Our Guarantee Policy. Any Issues need to be raised whilst on tour to info@highlandexplorertours.com or 0131 558 3738. If these issues are not resolved to your satisfaction a full refund will be awarded. 11. Contracting Parties 11.1 The booking conditions detailed herein contain the entire contract between you and the Operator. No representation, term, warranty or condition can be expressed or implied by reference to any other writing, advertisement or conversation. This contract may only be varied by a duly authorised officer or Director of the Operator in writing. 11.2 Your contract is with the Operator. At any time, and at the Operator’s complete discretion, the Operator may nominate to you in writing any other company or person to have the benefit of some or all of those provisions of this contract, which the Operator may then specify, as if you had agreed the provisions concerned directly with that company or person in the first place as well as agreeing them with the Operator. The Operator may at its complete discretion assign all or any rights and liabilities arising under or by virtue of this or any other contract with you. 11.3 All bookings with carriers and other service providers are subject to their terms and conditions and limitations of liability. Please note that some of these limits or exclude liability in respect of death, personal injury, delay and loss or damage to baggage. Whilst the Operator cannot accept any responsibility for any loss as a result of such actions or as a result of any act or omission of any such third parties, the Operator will give reasonable assistance in helping to resolve any reasonable dispute. 11.4 Many accommodation arrangements referred to in this brochure are provided by third party providers (unless stated otherwise). They are subject to the terms and conditions, and limitations of liability, imposed by the provider. 11.5 Every effort is made to ensure brochure accuracy at the time of going to print, however the Operator cannot be held responsible for printing and typographical errors, or errors arising from unforeseen circumstances. 12. Validity The programmes advertised in this brochure are valid for the 2019 operating season unless stated to the contrary. These Terms and Conditions supersede all previous Terms and Conditions issued and are valid for all reservations made on or after 1st August 2018, until replaced. 13. Highland Explorer Tours – Operating Company All Highland Explorer Tours are operated by: Radical Travel Group Limited Atholl Exchange, 6 Canning Street, Edinburgh EH3 8EG. Registered in Scotland No 136334
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TOURS AT A GLANCE DAY
TOUR
DEPARTS
RETURNS
ADULT FROM
CONCESSIONS
TUE
1 Day Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle (April - September)
08.00
20.00
£59
SAVE £3
WED
1 Day Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle (April - September) 1 Day Loch Ness, Whisky & Outlander (April - September)
08.00 08.45
20.00 17.30
£59 £45
SAVE £3 SAVE £3
THU
1 Day Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle (April - September) 1 Day Loch Ness, Whisky & Outlander (April - September)
08.00 08.45
20.00 17.30
£59 £45
SAVE £3 SAVE £3
FRI
1 Day Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle (April - September) 2 Day Isle of Skye Explorer (May - October)
08.00 08.45
20.00 17.30
£59 £159
SAVE £3 SAVE £5
SAT
1 Day Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle (April - September)
08.00
20.00
£59
SAVE £3
SUN
1 Day Loch Ness, Whisky & Outlander (April - September)
08.45
17.30
£45
SAVE £3
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HIGHLAND EXPLORER TOURS – a division of Radical Travel Group Ltd. This brochure is made of material from well-managed, FSC certified forests and other controlled sources. Also available online. Please pass on or recycle. MARCH 2019
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a f a m i ly o f br a n d s
IN PERSON: •Our Office – 60 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1TB •VisitScotland Inverness iCentre •Your Hotel Concierge or Guest House Reception
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BUS STATION STANCE 6
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HOW TO BOOK YOUR TOUR: BY PHONE: +44 (0) 131 558 3738 ONLINE: www.highlandexplorertours.com EMAIL: info@highlandexplorertours.com
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TOUR CHECK IN
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@HIGHEXTOURS /HIGHLANDEXPLORERTOURS /HIGHEXTOURS
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ALL TOURS DEPART FROM: Inverness Bus Station Stance no. 6 Margaret Street Inverness
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
INVERNESS ICENTRE TOURIST INFO
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