Walkabout Scotland
Frequently asked questions
Please click on the questions below to find out the answers!
Where do your tours leave from?
How fit or experienced must I be to enjoy the tour?
How big are the groups?
What equipment do I need?
Are all meals included?
What will our guide be like?
Will I have to carry my bags each day?
Do you cater for vegetarians?
What is the accommodation like on longer tours?
What about the Scottish weather?
Do you cancel if the weather is bad?
How much do your tours cost?
What is your policy on cancellations?
What is your Environmental policy?
If your question is not listed, please contact us by clicking here.
Where do your tours leave from?
All our tours depart from Edinburgh city centre from the corner of Waverley Bridge and Market Street. This is just outside Waverley Train Station, near the Edinburgh Dungeons and immediately outside the Lothian Travel shop. Other pick-up points en-route can also be arranged if needed.
How fit or experienced must I be to enjoy the tour?
We offer walking for all abilities and ages. A reasonable level of fitness is suggested for most of our tours, however previous hiking experience is not essential for many of our trips and we will provide enough guides to cater for different paces and levels of fitness. Our aim is to let you walk at a pace you will enjoy - whether that be an easy stroll or a full-on challenging ascent of our highest mountains. Please just call us if unsure.
How big are the groups?
Our walking tours and holidays are run in small groups of around 5-8 people, occasionally as many as 10. For groups of any more than 6 or 7 people we normally have a second guide on the trip. This enables us to keep the walking groups small, offer flexibility in the walks we do and for us to be able to take care of everyone in the group.
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What equipment do I need?
For all our weekends and holidays it is essential that you come fully prepared - please see our kit list for full details. As a minimum for all our tours you will need to bring walking equipment such as waterproof jacket and trousers, warm clothing, hat, gloves, boots and walking day-sack. For our day tours we can provide most equipment free of charge, although hiking boot hire is £2.50 per day. Please always try to avoid wearing jeans and make sure to bring some water.
Are all meals included?
All our easy and moderate grade holidays are full board, with evenings a time to relax, enjoy good food and reflect upon the day. Full board includes breakfast, packed lunch and 3 course evening meal, with evening meals organised for the whole group at local inns, restaurants or at your guesthouse or hotel. On some holidays the final night's evening meal may be left free to allow for some flexibility on the last night of the trip.
For our more challenging grade holidays evening meals are not included in the trip price but are organised for the group each evening at a local inn or restaurant.
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What will our guide be like?
Our guides are our greatest asset! Highly praised for their professionalism, caring approach, enthusiasm and sense of humour, our guides will ensure that you have a unique walking holiday that you will never forget. All our guides hold a minimum of the UK summer mountain leader award, have a wealth of experience and are passionate about what they do, bringing to each and every trip a love of the outdoors and a desire to share this with others. Our guides have a wide variety of different interests which will complement your walking holiday experience and will introduce you to the many different facets of Scotland's landscape and culture in a relaxed and informal way throughout your trip. But more than just professional, our guides are just plain good, honest, caring people – as passionate about your enjoyment as they are about the glens and bens.
Will I have to carry my bags each day?
No - all you need to carry during the day is a small day sack for hiking with. Your main luggage will be transported by us during any accommodation transfers. Read our recommended kit list.
Do you cater for vegetarians?
No problem. Please just advise on any specific dietary requirements when you book.
What is the accommodation like on longer tours?
We use comfortable and friendly family run guesthouses or small hotels, with some trips also offering an option of hostel accommodation. Whether centre based or place to place the focus is on quality, individuality and a warm welcome. We personally visit and review all our accommodation providers every year. Rooms are normally en-suite, however for some of our more remote holidays (e.g North West Highlands and some areas of Skye) this will not always be possible. We will advise you before the trip if this is the case.
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What about the Scottish weather?
Scottish weather can be very changeable - particularly in the mountains. Be prepared for either very hot sunny and dry, or very cold, windy and wet - all in the same day! Make sure you have warm clothes and waterproofs as well as your sunglasses.
Do you cancel at all if the weather is bad?
No - our trips run whatever the weather! If the weather is too bad or dangerous then we will alter the programme and take an alternative lower level walk but we will still get you out to some great places and stunning scenery. We might also of course get to the pub a bit earlier that day…
How much do your tours cost?
Each of our day tours costs £50, (concessions £40). For all holidays and weekend tours, please refer to each individual holiday page.
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What is your policy on cancellations?
For a full description of our cancellation policy, please see our booking conditions.
Walkabout Scotland – Environmental Policy
We have always tried to treat all the areas visited on our tours with the minimum possible amount of environmental pressure. We don’t admit to having all the answers but Walkabout Scotland has always been about a low-impact form of tourism:
- By having small group sizes (max 8) our impact on the environment and local population is kept as minimal as possible.
- We support local traders by using locally owned accommodation, cafes and restaurants where possible.
- We try to ensure that our tour transport fits the group size.
- We encourage travel to and from Edinburgh by train where possible.
- We try to avoid inner city Edinburgh car journeys where possible, use recycled stationery.
- Suggestions for improvement are welcome
You can book your trip online now! If you need more information, please do contact us.
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