Frequently asked questions about our tours to Skye
How do I book a Heartland Travel bus tour?
Easy. Just click on the book now button, you will be taken to our secure booking system, pick the date you wish to tour and make you’re booking.
Where will my tour leave from?
- Our Land of Legends 1 Day Tour departs from Stance ZE Waterloo Place, Edinburgh at 8 am.
- Our three day tour of the Highlands, Skye and Loch Ness departs from Stirling, Dundee and St Andrews
- Our four day tour Classic Skye and Inverness leaves from Stance ZE Waterloo place in Edinburgh at 8.30 am, and then from Stirling Railway station at 9.45am.
- Our private tours departure points can be arranged around what works best for you.
What is included in your price?
All of our tours include transport by luxury minicoach, and the services of a Heartland Travel tour guide/driver. Our prices do not include entrance fees to any tourist attractions we visit on tour. Our three- and four-day tour costs do not include accommodation costs – we simply book your accommodation for you and you pay the provider on arrival. You will also find that we offer ‘optional extras’ for a small fee, like the scallop fishing trip at Strome Ferry for £10. Again, you just pay the provider directly if you want to take part
Do you have a set minimum number of passengers on the tour?
We do not have a minimum number of passengers for our tours. You can book with confidence that our tours will always run.
What would happen if I was late?
Heartland Travel can’t delay tour departures for late arrivals, however we will always try to help you join the tour at a later stage, where possible. If this happens, any additional costs incurred will be paid by the late passenger, not Heartland Travel or any other passengers on the bus.
Can you pick me up for my tour?
We can only pick up tour passengers who have booked private tours of Scotland. These passengers can be picked up from anywhere in Scotland. All other tours offer a number of pre-arranged pick up points – just choose the pick-up point that suits you best.
Where does my tour come back to?
Our Loch Lomond and Trossachs day tour returns to Waterloo Place in Edinburgh. Our three-day Highlands, Skye and Loch Ness tour offers drop off points in St Andrews, Dundee and Stirling, as does our four-day Skye and Inverness tour. Passengers who have booked their own private tour can pre-arrange to be dropped off at a location that suits them best.
Can you take me onward to my next destination?
If you are a passenger on a private/bespoke tour, yes. If you are on our one-, three- or four-day tours then we will drop you off at one of our pre-arranged drop-off points.
What are your buses like?
You will travel in a new, luxury 16-seater minicoach.
Can I pre-book my own specific seat?
No, we’re afraid not. However, our tours are small, informal and relaxed, and groups get to know each other well during each tour. If you need a specific seat, or would like to change seats during your tour, we and the other passengers will do our best to help you.
Is there a toilet on the tour bus?
No, we’re afraid not. However, we do know Scotland well, and will let you know in plenty of time when we are approaching the next toilet stop!
Where will I stay on my overnight bus tour?
On our three day tour, we will stay at the Station Master’s Hostel at Strome Ferry, which costs £20 per person per night, to be paid directly to the hostel. On our four-day tour, we offer a choice of accommodation to suit your budget. You can choose from hostel accommodation at £15-£20 per person, Bed & Breakfast at £35-£45 per person, or hotel accommodation at £45 and above per person.
Who do I pay for my accommodation on my overnight tour?
Accommodation costs should be paid to the accommodation provider directly, not Heartland Travel.
How do I book and create a private tour?
We don’t need you to have a clear plan of exactly what you want to do, when, or where to stay. All we need is a vague idea of what you would like to see in Scotland, and we can create a tour around that for you. We will discuss how long you want your tour to be, what pace you want to set, and what your budget is too. Just email us on info@heartlandtravel.co.uk or call us on +44 (0) 1786 812531 to discuss your idea.
Can I hire your minibus for other things?
You most certainly can. You can hire a 16-seater minibus for whatever you need, whether it be airport transfers, weddings, hen and stag nights, festivals, golf, football or any other group events. Our driver can pick up and drop off wherever you need.
Can I bring all my luggage onto the bus with me?
Yes, of course you can. Your luggage will stay on the bus until we reach our accommodation (on the three- and four-day tours). Just remember that our tours are informal, so do try to travel light. This will make moving luggage easier for you and for your fellow passengers too.
Is it safe to leave my things in the bus when we are out and about?
Our bus is always locked when we stop for a walk, for lunch, and is emptied at our overnight stops. Though the bus is always secured, we do recommend that you carry no valuables with you on any Heartland Travel tour – travel light! If you are particularly concerned about your belongings (perhaps you have a good camera with you), then you may want to consider taking out travel insurance.
Do you take children?
Scheduled tours - We welcome children who are over the age of five. We’re sorry but we can’t travel with children younger than that, as it can be difficult for the young child to remain seated throughout our journey and can be disruptive for other passengers too.
Private tours - We are happy to take children of any age on our private tours. Just let us know what ages they are and we will provide the appropriate car seat
Private tours - We are happy to take children of any age on our private tours. Just let us know what ages they are and we will provide the appropriate car seat
What kind of clothes should I wear?
Scotland’s weather is beautiful but changeable, so dress in layers that can be added to or taken away as needed. Ensure you have waterproof walking boots, a waterproof jacket, and a hat and gloves too. Even in summer, the hilltops we may explore can be both wet underfoot and breezy too. There’s some helpful information here: http://www.heartlandtravel.co.uk/what-will-i-need.html
Do I need to bring any special equipment with me on the tour?
No, just sensible clothes for being outdoors. As well as layered clothing, waterproofs, and strong shoes, you might consider sunblock in summer months, insect repellent, and binoculars if you have them to help spot wildlife on our tour. Remember your camera! There’s some helpful information here: http://www.heartlandtravel.co.uk/what-will-i-need.html
What language will the tour guide speak?
All our tours are conducted by a knowledgeable and experienced English-speaking tour guide. While the tour will be conducted in English, we are used to travelling with passengers of all nationalities and will do our very best to make your tour a memorable one – wherever you are from. If you wish to book a private tour to be delivered in the language of your choice, we can provide a quote for the cost of a translator.
Are your return times guaranteed?
We are sorry, but our return times cannot be guaranteed. We strive to return at the published return times, but cannot be held responsible for delays caused by traffic, weather, or any other unforeseen circumstances. If you absolutely must return by a specific time, please let us know at the time of booking your tour with us.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you wish to cancel your tour booking up to 7 full days prior to departure, there will be a 90% refund. If you cancel within 7 days, no refund applies. If you wish to change tour dates, we will try to accommodate your requirement.
Should I take out travel insurance?
Travel insurance is not included in the tour price. If desired, you can purchase travel insurance independently prior to departure on your tour.
Can I see your full terms and conditions?
You can find Heartland Travel’s full Terms and Conditions here: http://www.heartlandtravel.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.html
How can I ask more questions not listed here?
Just email us on info@heartlandtravel.co.uk or call us on +44 (0) 1786 812531. We’d love to hear from you!
