Frequently Asked Questions

Q) How do you book a tour?
A) Phone the office number on 0141 416 1915, we can take a verbal booking and send out a booking form to you. Or you can email us at contact@ecossetours.co.uk and we will send out a booking form to you. Or you can download one and print off from our website and send it to us. We need confirmation in writing within seven days with your deposit of £50 to secure a place on a particular tour. Once you have returned the completed booking form and have paid your deposit you hereby accept our terms and conditions. If the tour you wish to go on is within eight weeks of departure you will have to pay the full tour price. If we do not receive the balance, we shall be entitled to cancel the booking and retain your deposit.

Q) Can I pay the tour costs up?
A) Yes. There is no problem if you would like to pay your tour up as long as the final amount is paid 56 days before departure.

Q) How do I pay?
A) Payment is by cheque or postal order made payable to "Ecosse Battlefield Tours Ltd", please enclose a stamped addressed envelope for your receipt.

Q) Is my money safe?
A) Yes. Ecosse Battlefield Tours Ltd are members of the Travel Trust Association and comply with the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992. Your money is deposited in a trust account and cannot be released to Ecosse Battlefield Tours Ltd until your tour has taken place. This regulation is a guarantee that you will get a full refund of all monies paid in the most unlikely event of us failing to provide the Tour booked.

Q) Is there a local pick up point in the Central Belt of Scotland?
A) Yes. The main touring coach can pick up from Paisley, Glasgow, East Kilbride and Hamilton.

Q) Do I need a passport?
A) Yes. You must have a passport and it must be valid for at least six months by your return date. You can apply for a passport application form at most Post Offices or online at www.ips.gov.uk. For passport advice any day of the week, call 0300 222 0000 between 7.00 am and 11.00 pm.

Q) I have special dietary requirements?
A) Please advise us in advance of any particular dietary needs e.g. vegetarian or gluten-free etc.

Q) Do I need travel insurance?
A)Yes. It is a condition of booking that you have comprehensive travel insurance and are not travelling against medical advice. Details of the insurance arranged must be provided to us prior to your journey departure. "It's So Easy Travel Insurance" is recommended by the Scotland Patients' Association. They have no upper age limit for single trip policies and an upper age limit of 75 for annual, multi-trip policies.
Whether or not you have a medical condition or are travelling with someone who does, please see below.
Details of the policy can be found at www.itssoeasytravelinsurance.com or call 0845 222 4205.

Q) I have an EHIC card, do I still need private travel insurance?
A) Yes. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance. Under our terms and conditions everyone travelling on an Ecosse Tour must have comprehensive travel insurance, you will not be permitted to travel without it. You can take your EHIC as this might assist with some costs you may incur under your private travel insurance.

Q) I don't have an EHIC Card, where can I get one?
A) Pick up a form from your local Post Office or telephone the EHIC application helpline on 0845 606 2030 to apply for your free European Health Insurance Card card. Or you can go online to www.ehic.org.uk.

Q) I have a medical condition, where can I get travel insurance?
A) "It's So Easy Travel Insurance is recommended" by the Scotland Patients' Association. They provide travel insurance that can include a wide range of medical conditions. If you are travelling with someone who has a medical condition, it's important you are also covered by the same policy, in case you need to claim for something related to the person who has the condition. Details of the policy can be found at www.itssoeasytravelinsurance.com or call 0845 222 4205.

Q) If I take ill and have to cancel from the tour, do I get all my money back?
A) If you have taken out fully comprehensive travel insurance your insurance company should be able to refund you provided the claim meets the criteria of the policy. Full details should be available to you from your insurance company.

Q) Is Ecosse Battlefield Tours Ltd insured?
A) Yes. We are fully covered for public liability. We own our fleet of modern coaches and fully comply with EU regulations for coaches operating in Europe.

Q) I want to travel with my father who has mobility problems.
A) If you let us in advance of anyone with mobility problems we can advise P & O and the hotels. Both have limited number of cabins and hotel rooms specially adapted for people with reduced mobility problems.

Q) My father can't walk very far, will he still be able to come on the tour?
A) Yes. We will endeavour to ensure that everyone can participate in the tour as best as we can. However, some ground is rough and broken and there are stairs down dugouts and trenches etc, so some parts of the tour would remain unsuitable. It should be advised that there is walking involved in the tours and appropriate sturdy footwear must be worn. Walking sticks are available for those who may need them. Please let us know in advance if there is anyone with reduced mobility in your party.

Q) Are the coaches non-smoking?
A) Yes. But we make regular stops for comfort reasons.

Q) Luggage
A) Please try and keep your luggage as compact as you can and to one medium sized piece only.

Q) How big are your coach tours?
A) We can accommodate any size of group from 16 to 75 for bespoke tours (tailor made) but for our regular tours our minimum tour size is 20 passengers.

Q) What is included in the price of a regular tour?
A) Executive coach travel, en-suite cabin and breakfast on P&O ferry outward and return journey, bed and breakfast accommodation, plus services of guide throughout.

Q) What is not included in the price?
A) Your travel insurance, any single supplements, lunches, evening meals and museum entry fees.

Q) I have never been abroad before and will be travelling alone; will I be accompanied during the tours?
A) Ecosse Battlefield Tours has experienced couriers and guides to make sure your tour will be a memorable experience and one to be cherished.

Q) As I am travelling alone, can I share accommodation with someone to cut cost of single supplements?
A) Where possible, anyone travelling alone and wanting to share with a person of the same sex can do so. We will help arrange single travellers to share accommodation as they require it. All hotels carry a single supplement so it certainly helps cut down the cost of your trip.

Q) I have to cancel my tour, what do I do?
A) All cancellations must be made in writing to us at Ecosse Battlefield Tours Ltd, 12 Stewarton Drive, G72 8DF, Scotland UK. We can only accept cancellations in writing and it is only effective from the date we receive it. If you need to cancel you will lost your deposit.

Q) What are your cancellation charges?
A) Because we incur costs from cancellations, our cancellation charges apply as indicated in the following table:

In addition, where payments have been made by us to suppliers, these costs will be non refundable by us. However, please note that cancellation charges may be covered under your insurance policy.

Q) Can I make alterations to my booking?
A) You may substitute another person in the place of any of your group at no extra charge, should you or any member of your group become unable to come on a Tour.

Q) What if Ecosse Battlefield Tours cancel a tour date?
A) Tours will not normally be cancelled unless due to a 'Force majeure', and you will be informed in writing as soon as possible. An alternative tour will be offered, but if this is unacceptable then a full refund will be made. Tours are conducted with a minimum of ten people. If the tour is not full, you will be offered an alternative tour date and if that is not acceptable you will receive a full refund.

Q) I know where my relative is buried and/or named on a memorial. Can I visit them?
A) We will try and meet every request to visit the last resting place of a relative or friend or visit a memorial where they are commemorated if it is feasibly within travelling distance of our tour itinerary.