Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about our tours.
If you can’t find the answer here, then drop us a line and we’ll be happy to help!
What makes Adventures Around Skye different?
What sets us apart is our reasons for founding Adventures Around Skye and our commitment to ensuring you receive the tour you genuinely desire.
You may or may not know that we’ve been running the Isle of Skye – Travel Tips group on Facebook since we moved here as a family, and have helped countless people plan their trip. We do this by answering questions, providing advice and a little guidance. We are now a community of 40k+ and we’re proud that it remains one of the friendliest groups of its kind.
One thing led to another, and after being constantly asked to take people on tour, we now do it ourselves.
We do it because we have seen how overwhelming it can be, but also how essential it is to get a visit to Skye just right for people, and we want to ensure we are with you from the very start.
Join the group, ask questions and find out for yourself.
We want to help you get the most out of your time on Skye. That means taking you to sights you want to see, but also to places you may not even know about, and ensuring you don’t miss out on the wealth of history and culture this island has to offer.
How can I book my tour?
Booking with us is easy. Simply send us a message through our contact form or email us at tours@adventuresaroundskye.com with a few details, including your proposed tour dates, the number of people, your potential pickup location, and any interests/ideas you have.
We will get back to you as soon as possible with our availability, Terms and Conditions, and a few further questions.
Once you’re happy, you can book! Your tour is confirmed only once a deposit is paid.
Easy right?
How much is a tour?
A full 8-hour day tour starts from £575 for up to 7 passengers. Extra hours can be added by negotiation at an additional rate.
How far in advance should I book?
We are a family-run company, and there is only one Sonja, so our availability is run on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you book, the more likely we’ll be free for the dates you want to join Sonja exploring Skye.
How do I pay?
We offer various payment methods, which we can share with you when you contact us about your tour. These include bank transfers and online payments by card. We kindly request that you make a non-refundable deposit to secure your tour date, with the remaining balance due closer to the tour date.
If you are booking close to your tour time, you will be required to make a full payment. We will share all of this information and work out the best option for you once you get in touch with us.
What’s the maximum number of people you can take?
Our van can take up to seven passengers.
Do you operate all year?
We take enquiries for tours at any time, but please note that Skye is very seasonal, so many attractions are closed in winter and daylight hours are much shorter. If you would like a tour during the winter months, please get in touch, as it will likely be of a shorter duration, and we will adjust the price accordingly.
Do you offer a half-day tour?
We do not offer any half-day tour options as standard. If you would like to discuss the possibility of a tour for less than 8 hours, then please get in touch.
Where will we go on our tour?
That’s entirely up to you! As part of your tour, we will arrange a one-hour Zoom Consultation to get to know you and what you’d like to do, and go from there (note: if you book very close to the tour time, this may not be possible, but we will still engage with you to make a plan before the tour itself).
We pride ourselves on making every tour unique by combining the highlights of Skye with lesser-known places that you may not have otherwise discovered.
Do you take children on tour?
We have two small ones of our own, and we understand what it’s like to travel as a family! Having said that, an adult must accompany under-18s, and we do not supply car seats for children under 1.35m tall, which is a requirement of UK law.
Tour days can also be very long for young ones. Please do get in touch however, and we can discuss options.
Can I change the date of my confirmed tour?
We can accommodate tour date changes if and when we have availability, but there is no guarantee. If the date you wish to change is available, then there is no charge to do so. However, please note our cancellation policy in case changing is not an option.
What is your cancellation policy?
Tours are confirmed with a 25% non-refundable deposit. Tours cancelled with 14 days’ notice or less incur a 50% charge of the total fee, 7 days’ notice or less incur a 75% charge of the total fee, and 48 hours’ notice or less incur a 100% charge of the total fee.
We recommend that you arrange suitable travel, medical, and cancellation insurance at the time
of booking. This may allow you to claim back costs mentioned above in the event of a
cancellation.
Are your tours accessible?
You must be able to climb safely in and out of the van to take one of our tours. Many of the stops will involve uneven ground. We are happy to discuss your needs and determine whether we can arrange a suitable tour, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch regarding this.
What if the weather is bad?
The weather in Skye is extremely changeable! You should come prepared for all types of weather, with proper waterproof clothing and shoes. There are not a lot of indoor options, but the weather often changes so much throughout the day that we can work around it in order for you to still have an enjoyable day exploring the island. We do need to be flexible and you may not always be able to see everything you have your heart set on, but we have many alternatives to offer!
In the event that there are weather warnings and the weather is too dangerous to go out (which would be very rare during the travel season), we will attempt to change your tour to another date at no additional cost to you, or cancel with a full refund if that is not possible.
Do I need to bring lunch?
There are many places to eat across Skye, including takeaway and sit-in options. We will discuss your ideas with you before the tour and have a rough idea of possible lunch options. If you would like to bring a packed lunch, then that’s no problem, as you can bring food and drink in the vehicle. Let us know if you need recommendations!
Is the cost of attractions included?
No, if you would like to visit locations such as Dunvegan Castle, Armadale Castle & Gardens, or the Skye Museum of Island Life, you will need to cover the cost of these yourself in addition to the tour. We will cover the cost of any car parking charges.
Do you have insurance?
We are fully insured to carry paying passengers in our van, and we also have public liability insurance.
What language are the tours in?
We conduct our tours in English. If you are interested in Scottish Gaelic, we have some (currently very limited, but learning!) knowledge that we’re more than willing to share!
Tipping your guide
We’re aware that tipping is a customary practice for some, but there is no obligation to do so here; it is entirely up to you.
Card or cash?
Most places on Skye accept payment via card, although some prefer cash due to the associated fees.
We suggest carrying a small amount of cash with you, but card payments should be acceptable for the majority of transactions.
What should I wear?
The weather on Skye can change at the drop of a hat, so we suggest wearing clothing to suit both the potential weather and the planned day.
Good waterproof trousers and jackets are a good idea, but these could be just packed away in a bag. Comfortable shoes suitable for hiking and the outdoors are recommended, especially when doing longer walks.
We suggest avoiding jeans due to their lengthy drying time, and ponchos should be left at home because the wind tends to blow them all over the place.
More information about clothing and gear to bring can be discussed once you’ve booked and have your Zoom consultation with us.
Luggage
If you will be bringing suitcases on tour with you for any reason, please let us know in advance so we can ensure we have the necessary space to get everything from A to B.
Comfort Breaks
We can make as many comfort breaks as needed, but please be aware that there are not always available facilities at every stop.
Snacks and food
Talking about food in Skye is one of our favourite things! We’re happy to share recommendations for some of our favourite lunch spots. However, some areas have limited options, and depending on your tour day, certain places may be closed.
You are more than welcome to bring a packed lunch on tour (we can make suggestions for acquiring one if you’d like), or we will suggest other sit-in/takeaway options for you.
Time on and off the bus?
We aim to give you the maximum time out of the tour bus, to enable you to experience as much of Skye as possible. However, this will also depend on your pick up/drop of location and the places we plan to visit.
Reviews and feedback
We continually strive to enhance our tour experience, so we welcome any feedback. As a small family business, we also really appreciate reviews and sharing your experiences with others.
Still have a question?
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help!