Travel Planning and Advice

We’ve been back up and running trips throughout UK and Ireland since the summer of 2020. We remain optimistic and will keep this page updated as government guidance is updated.

Please be aware that we are working to government guidelines, as well as with local suppliers, and as such, things are subject to change at short notice. Due to the changing nature of the guidelines, any trips we run over the next few months may well look a wee bit different to trips run in the past. However, all inclusions will still be a part of the trip and therefore any changes do not equate to a “significant change” as defined by the package tour regulations. We will of course consult with all partners as and when changes are required.

Private and custom trips benefit from a 76 day cut off for trip cancellation and deposit refund (minus admin fee). Please read more here. Unless otherwise agreed partners for whom we deliver small group trips are subject to our standard Terms and Conditions.

In some cases, we may be in touch with you to say the trip cannot be confirmed until closer to travel time. If this is the case then clients have the option of staying on the trip until we can confirm if the trip is running, or postponing their trip to a future date.

As with any travel, we strongly recommend trip/travel insurance. This should cover any last-minute trip cancellation as well as any travel undertaken to get to and from the trip.

The UK and Irish governments have advised that further restrictions could be reinstated if necessary. If this is the case we will be in touch as soon as possible to discuss these changes and the options.

If you have an enquiry for an upcoming trip with us, then we would be delighted to help.

We have a range of recommended itineraries that are perfect for bubble travel. If your clients would prefer to customise, our friendly team is available to chat through options.

Please note that any new booking will only be accepted on the provision that if the trip is unable to go ahead due to Covid-19 restrictions, the trip will be suspended. Trip payments will be held indefinitely and can be put towards any Wilderness Scotland, Wilderness England or Wilderness Ireland trip in the future.

1. We ask that you bring a least 1 test with you on your trip for the mid-week test but we will also have some available for use.
2. On any trips that involve ferry crossings to islands, it is recommended that you take a test on the day of travel to the Islands prior to departing. Please bring more tests with you if this is required.
3. Our guides will be following the same testing procedure but will in fact be taking two tests before trip departure to confirm negative results before travel. They have also been vaccinated according to eligibility guidelines.
4. By joining the trip you agree to make us aware if you test positive for Covid at any point before or while you are on the trip.
5. We request that all travellers bring a minimum of 2 reusable masks so they can wash one each evening and leave the other to dry.
6. That clients declare to us if they have had Covid or Covid-like symptoms.
7. That clients self-health check regularly and declare to the guide as soon as possible if they do feel any Covid symptoms. It would be beneficial if they would bring a thermometer to keep track of their temperature.
8. That clients do not travel if feeling unwell or are symptomatic before the trip.
9. That each client agrees in good grace to follow all guidelines and procedures set out by the Wilderness guide and any suppliers we use.

To stay informed, we recommend you visit the Irish Government’s website where they are updating the situation regularly.

The majority of restrictions in Ireland including social distancing and most mask-wearing have been removed.

If you are travelling from outside the UK then you must review the contents of this section of the Scottish Government guidance before considering travel to Scotland.

Travel advice for travellers visiting the UK from common locations.

United States   |   Canada   |   Australia

We recommend you check your own government advice with regards to travel to the UK and Scotland.

Travel advice for travellers visiting Ireland from common locations.

United States   |   Canada   |   Australia   |  United Kingdom

We recommend you check your own government advice with regards to travel to Ireland.

Be sure to remind clients to read through all pre-trip information for new Covid-19 details and requirements, such as pre-trip Covid testing requirements, bringing your own face masks, and being aware of rules which apply across the UK and Ireland but may be different to the rules where your clients live.

We recommend you and your clients also check with airline/train companies for specific requirements they may have in place.

We genuinely sweat the details so that you can rest at ease knowing that your clients are in safe hands and there’ll be no unwanted surprises. Raise any questions with us ahead of your client’s trip – we’re delighted to help.

The Protect Scotland app from NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect is a free, mobile phone app designed to help us protect each other and reduce the spread of coronavirus.

The app will alert you if you have been in close contact with another app user who tests positive for coronavirus. And if you test positive, it can help in determining contacts that you have otherwise missed while keeping your information private and anonymous.

If you would like to download this app then please do so here.
https://protect.scot/

It may be a bit different to your clients’ last holiday. But spending time in nature is healthy for the body and for the soul.

The info on this page and in your client’s pre-trip pack will help to prepare your clients on what to expect and feel confident about travelling.

Standing on top of a hill or cresting a climb on your bike will feel as amazing as it always has. As you soak in the views and relish the feeling of personal achievement, it will feel like a holiday!

And one thing is for sure – travel and reconnecting has never been more important to people. So encourage them to come and enjoy the space, freedom, wild landscapes and fresh air which Scotland, England and Ireland are famous for.

All travellers will need to wear a mask while travelling in our vehicles and in other locations specified by Government regulations. 

There may be occasions when travellers will need to put a mask on briefly – for example, if your guide is assisting you with some equipment.

But you can reassure your clients they will not need a mask during the day’s activities – so they can hike, cycle or paddle breathing in the fresh air and enjoy unencumbered views.

Currently, there are no enforced social distancing rules within the UK or Ireland, although it is strongly advised to keep a one-meter distance within indoor settings.  (Note that the two-metre distancing rule remains in healthcare settings).

It’s fortunate that in the wild and remote places we visit, social distancing is easy to adopt. The guide will be available to explain any local practices or requirements.

Yes.

Where it is practical to do so, your clients are welcome to use their own vehicle throughout the trip.

There will be no reduction in price as we will still be operating our vehicle on the trip. Trips which involve ferry crossings may be more challenging to arrange due to limited capacity on some ferries.

If your clients are planning to bring their own vehicle, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can plan accordingly.

We’ve run trips in the UK and Ireland for many years, so are extremely well-connected in communities across the countries.

While there will always be some who disagree, the overwhelming feeling, and our own experience, is that communities across the UK and Ireland are looking forward to welcoming visitors once again.

As always, it is important to have adequate travel insurance which covers your clients specific needs, including any known medical conditions or activities they plan to do.

It is also worth checking the detail of the policy around travel disruption including delays or cancellations as policies do vary.

The Association of British Insurers has a Q & A that is more relevant for travellers from the UK but raises useful questions to put to your clients’ own insurer.

All of our guides and concierge will complete training on our new operating procedures before leading a trip.

As well as ensuring the safety of your clients and the other travellers, our guiding and concierge team will be able to advise the group on relevant procedures so that each traveller can play their part in keeping the whole group safe while still enjoying their holiday.

All of our equipment will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before being re-issued for the next trip. On trips, any equipment your client is given will be theirs throughout the trip rather than a shared piece of equipment. Of course, our group leaders will be able to clean and disinfect equipment as required during the trip.

Whilst in the vehicle, all passengers will be asked to wear face coverings and windows will remain open to provide fresh air circulation.

Of course, all vehicles will be subject to enhanced cleaning. Hand sanitiser will be available in the vehicles.

>Accommodations: Each accommodation may have slightly different arrangements in place to ensure it is operating safely. The guide will explain to clients the arrangements at each accommodation before arrival.

Restaurant: Each restaurant and cafe will have slightly different arrangements in place to ensure it is operating safely. The guide will explain the arrangements before entering. We will always adhere to government advice, which may include groups being split into smaller tables to ensure we allow for social distancing. In accordance with government rules in Ireland, you currently have to show proof of vaccination in order to avail of indoor dining.

Snacks: We will continue to provide snacks throughout the trip to keep everyone fuelled. However, snacks will be individually allocated rather than being from a shared basket.

Our guides and group leaders have been trained in updated first aid best practices designed to keep themselves and the rest of the group safe from infection in the unlikely event of an accident.

Hygiene advice has not changed since the start of the outbreak, so we reiterate it below as so often the basic messages get lost in all the noise.

Frequent and thorough hand-washing with soap for at least 20 seconds is a key method of avoiding contracting and spreading any germs while travelling and is seen as particularly important to avoid Coronavirus / COVID-19. If hand-washing and soap are not available, then hand sanitizer is recommended.

Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose unless your hands are clean.

Avoid close contact with people that look or feel unwell, their personal items and any surfaces they may have touched. Maintaining a distance of over 1 meter is recommended by the World Health Organisation.

If your client is on any medication, please ask them to pack additional supplies should their return home be postponed.

We recommend visiting this World Health Organisation page on protective measures you can take to minimise the risk to yourself and others.

Our client’s health and safety is of the utmost importance to us. See below the steps we are taking to protect our clients and mitigate the risk of contracting and spreading Coronavirus / COVID-19 while travelling on our tours.

• We request that all travellers wear a face mask while in our vehicles at all times.
• While vehicles are moving, we’ll ensure that windows are open to increase fresh airflow and circulation.
• Each vehicle will be thoroughly sanitised at the start and end of the trip. 
• Each vehicle will be provided with hand sanitiser and tissues. 
• We will dispose of any rubbish bag with tissues at the end of every day. 
• We use the sanitizing spray to wipe down van surfaces daily.
  

We request that all clients DO:

• Notify your guide if you are feeling unwell at the earliest opportunity.
• Meet and greet your guide and other participants with the namaste gesture.
• Avoid unnecessary personal contact (hugs, kisses, high-fives etc.) and passing around of objects. 
• Please make the effort not to touch your face and follow the personal hygiene recommendations.
  
• Wash your hands properly and often.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough and sneeze.
• Put used tissues into a bin and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Avoid close contact with people who are not well.
• Stay at home if you are sick to help stop the spread of whatever infection you may have.

We request that all clients DON’T:

• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
• Do not share objects that touch your mouth – for example, bottles.
• Do not pass your phone or camera to others.

Above all, we want to be as respectful of each client’s feelings and concerns surrounding Coronavirus / COVID-19 and we would request that if clients are travelling with us, that they make their feelings known in an understanding and respectful way to the guide, so that they, in turn, can make any necessary adjustments and relay information as appropriate to the group.

The symptoms of Coronavirus / COVID-19 are:

• A dry cough
• A raised temperature (over 37.3 C)
• Shortness of breath
• Loss or change in sense of taste and small
• Runny nose
• Headaches
• Fatigue (mild or severe)

Our guides have also been trained on how to handle a situation where they or a member of the group show symptoms of Covid-19. This forms a key part of our updated operating procedures and is in line with Government advice.

This does not necessarily mean that someone has the virus but UK government and UK National Health Service advice is that anyone manifesting Covid-19 symptoms should take a lateral flow test if you suspect you have symptoms. This is applicable for visitors to Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales. In Ireland, we recommend taking an antigen test. If you test positive, please inform your guide immediately and safely.

It is requested that you do not visit a doctor’s surgery, hospital or pharmacy if you test positive.

For more information, we recommend visiting the following pages:

• UK National Health Service
• NHS Inform Scotland
• Republic of Ireland