Essential Info

What's Included in our Holiday Price

• Comfortable hotel, guesthouse or bed & breakfast (B&B) accommodation specific to each trip as detailed in the trip description.
• Some holidays are fully inclusive while offers are just B&B. Please check the trip information for further clarification.
• You will always have a professional North-West Frontiers guide with you on your holiday. Some trips have a free day for you to rest or explore at your own lesuire. Your guide will be only too happy in making suggestions so you can make the most of your time.
• Free transport by minibus from/to the holiday start/finish point and throughout the trip (except on the day off) is provided. Ferry tickets are not always included; please check the specific trip description for details.
• Our holiday prices are per person, based on two people sharing a room unless otherwise stated on the specific trip details.

Holiday Insurance

Valid and adequate travel insurance is compulsory for all clients and is a condition of accepting your booking that you have agreed you will have insurance by the date of your departure. Particular attention should be made to cover cancellation and personal accident.

We can only recommend a suitable policy for UK residents only. Campbell Irvine are one of the country's leading providers of suitable insurance.

Single Travellers

We have many clients that travel solo/independently on our holidays. Accommodation can be provided in either shared twin rooms or a single room. If you would prefer a single room then a single supplement will apply with the amount varying for each trip. We suggest that if you require a single room that you book early to avoid disappointment as on some trips there are only limited rooms available.

Intineraries

For all our holidays we have an itinerary which is in the trip description on the website. Due to the nature of the activities involved in your holiday it may be necessary to change the described details due to circumstances beyond our control such as weather. If this does occur we will endeavor to maintain the integrity of the holiday you have booked and you can rely on our experienced leaders to find something suitable.

Room-type Explanation

• Single - room with one bed for single traveller
• Twin/share - room with two single beds
• Double - room with one big bed for two people
• Family or Triple - room with either a double bed and a single bed or three single beds
• En suite - bathroom within your bedroom
• Private facilities - your own bathroom nearby your bedroom
• Shared facilities - you share toilet and shower with other guests

Accommodation

Since the start in 1986 we have built up an extensive range of partnerships with hotels, guesthouses and B&B's. Some accommodations have been working with us for over 10 years. All accommodation is handpicked and you can ensure a friendly and warm welcome. We can guarantee that each of them will do their very best to give you a pleasant and relaxed stay.

Meals & Dietary Requirements

All meal arrangements are indicated in the trip information on the website and in the trip dossier. Scotland has some fabulous cuisine, with great local produce including the wonderful fresh seafood. All dietary requirements can be catered for although we requested that you let us know on booking.

Group Size & Group Members

North-West Frontiers is proud to offer only small group holidays. We believe that part of the enjoyment of being in our wild lands is the space and freedom that this offers. Our small group holidays provide this allowing us to ensure your safety, minimize our impact and let you have a great holiday.

Weather

Scotland's weather. What can we say? Four seasons in one day!! May and June tend to be settled and can provide a riot of colour along with the longest day-light hours. September is another settled month with the colours beginning to change as we head into autumn. July and August are the warmest months with average temperatures around 16c, but it's not uncommon to add another 10c onto this. Rainfall tends to be less from spring into summer before increasing as we lead into autumn and winter, with the east of Scotland dryer. The winter snows tend to arrive November through to April with the east being colder than the west.

No matter what the weather Scotland is still a stunning place to adventure in. Its assets are its changeable weather providing superb light and a different experience each day. Remember come prepared, with an open mind and no matter what the weather you'll still have a memorable holiday.

Travel to your Holiday Starting Point

All of our holidays start at locations that are easily reached by train or bus from most cities in the UK. On booking we will provide you with up to date information about travel arrangements to the starting point of your holiday. If you need any information prior to this we will be only too happy to help you with your arrangements.

Travelling by train to your starting destination is a great way to enjoy the highland scenery and some rail journeys are amongst the most scenic in the world. The "sleeper service" which runs from London Euston to Inverness and Fort William is the classic way to arrive in the Scottish Highlands. Please visit ScotRail for up-to-date rail information and on-line ticket bookings.

CityLink operates coach services between Glasgow/Edinburgh and many Scottish cities. Especially in July and August booking is advisable. An on-line booking facility is available.

Caledonian MacBrayne operates the ferry services between the Scottish mainland and the many Scottish islands off the west coast. The ferries to Orkney and Shetland are operated by NorthLink Ferries, with departures from Scrabster and Aberdeen. Pentland Ferries sails from Gills to Orkney. All companies have an on-line booking facility.

The following airlines fly to Inverness:

• Easyjet (from London, Gatwick, Luton, Bristol)
• Flybe (Birmingham, Manchester, Belfast, London Gatwick)

If you are travelling from outside the UK, then the best way to reach our holiday starting points of Inverness or Fort William is by flying to Glasgow or Edinburgh, where you can continue your journey by train or coach. You can also fly to Inverness (see above).

Both Glasgow and Edinburgh are served by direct flights from Europe, the Middle East, America and Canada. Below you will find a selection of the most popular connections.

To Glasgow from:

• Amsterdam (KLM & easyJet)
• Copenhagen (bmi)
• Dublin (Aer Lingus)
• Nice (Globespan)
• New York (Continental)
• Philadelphia (US Airways)
• Toronto (Air Canada)
• Reykjavik (Icelandic Air)

To Edinburgh from:

• Amsterdam (KLM & easyJet)
• Brussels (bmi)
• Dusseldorf (Lufthansa)
• Munich (Easyjet)
• Copenhagen (bmi)
• Frankfurt (Lufthansa)
• Nice (Globespan)
• Paris (BA & Air France)
• Stockholm (SAS)
• New York (Continental)
• Toronto (Air Transat)
• Milan (Easyjet)
• Geneva (Easyjet)

Airlines do to change schedules and new airlines are expanding their destinations. We endeavor to keep this information updated but you are advised to check with your own Travel Agent.

Health & Well Being

For our overseas clients, no vaccinations are required if you visit the UK. If you have any medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or allergies or if you suffer from vertigo you should let us know when booking.

All our leaders hold a current outdoor first aid certificate and will carry a group first aid kit during the trip. We recommend clients carry their own small personal first aid kit.

We do recommend that you have some insect repellent for protection from the Scottish "midge" and consideration should also be given towards tick bites. Sun protection cream should also be carried.

Clothing & Equipment

You should bring comfortable lightweight, waterproof hiking boots, made of Goretex or leather. Please be sure your boots are well broken in before your holiday. It is best to take clothing which you can layer for changing temperatures. T-shirts will work well as the layer next to your skin.

When the weather is rainy or windy, it is better to have a lightweight synthetic layer next to your skin. The next layer(s) should be a medium-weight garment, such as fleece. On top of the middle layer you may need to wear waterproof gear including a jacket and rain pants - breathable waterproof gear is recommended. It is also important to carry a woolen or fleece hat and a light pair of gloves.

During the day you will need to carry a small daypack. Also think about a water bottle, thermos and your camera. You may consider bringing trekking poles as the ground can be rough.

Having the right clothing and equipment can go a long way to making your life comfortable when the weather is not great. A full clothing and equipment list specific to the type of holiday will be provided in the information pack, although if you have any questions or are unsure then please contact us.

Maps & Books

Our trip dossiers detail the maps for each trip along with a recommended reading list. Our leaders will have all the necessary walking maps on the trips. However if you would like to buy your own maps (on-line) we recommend the Ordnance Survey 'aqua3' - all weather maps' from Chartech. Amazon is a good point of call for guide books and recommended books.