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Heathery Heights provides the course materials and the loan of a map and compass for the duration of the course. Areas used for courses may vary so we do not expect you to bring a map.

If you are a beginner and have not yet bought a compass, you may wish to wait until you have attended the course to determine the type of compass best suited for your needs. We occasionally have some for sale if required.

If you already have a compass you are welcome to use your own but please check with the trainer to see if it is appropriate (compass types can vary and older ones may be worn and difficult to read or have bubbles), otherwise we can lend you one for the duration of the course.

Heathery Heights offers a wide range of walks. Many are on steep and rough terrain, often pathless, which is not suited to a wheelchair. However, there are several walks we can create as bespoke experiences that may be appropriate for wheelchair users of varying length and depending on the type of wheelchair used. Please note that although we can guide you on a walk, we do not provide assistants to help with handling the wheelchair but we will do our best to create your own mini wheelchair adventure.

Heathery Heights does not have its own transport service and does not provide transport unless specifically indicated within the description of the walk, activity or experience ie occasionally it may be indicated that a public bus or a minibus will be required for linear walks. Where possible we will tie in with local public transport services.

Transport options in Argyll include buses (Scottish Citylink and West Coast Motors), trains (ScotRail and Trainline), ferries (Calmac and Western Ferries) and Private Hire. There are also a range of local bike hire services including Oban Cycles, Rusty Cycle Shed, Kintyre E-Bike Hire and Gigha Boat and Activity Centre. Many of the islands also have bike and boat hire.

Heathery Heights does not book or provide accommodation. However, we are in touch with several providers in our local area and we can certainly recommend places you might be interested in or other sites which offer relevant information for the type of accommodation you require. Please note Heathery Heights takes no responsibility for any accommodation you book.

Whilst endeavoring to avoid changes or cancellations Heathery Heights has the right to change or cancel services in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of sale or offer the customer an alternative date or refund as appropriate. Please see the Heathery Heights Terms and Conditions for more information.

Heathery Heights always recommends that you have adequate Activity, Travel and/or Holiday Insurance. This helps to protect you from losses caused by delays, illness, unavoidable cancellations and much more. Heathery Heights does not cover you for any loss other than those pertaining to its own Public Liability Insurance and according to Scottish Laws. Please see Heathery Heights Terms and Conditions for more information.

Heathery Heights will indicate where parking may be found under the description of each walk, experience, or activity. However, we cannot guarantee that car parks will have space so please allow plenty of time to secure parking and to get to the meeting point. Google Maps can be very useful.

If you are delayed, please contact us as soon as you can. However, do bear in mind that some activities take place away from a good signal and we may have no service. We recommend you have travel and holiday insurance to cover you for any losses incurred due to delays that are caused through no fault of your own. If the delay does not impact other customers, we will do our best to ensure the activity or part of the activity is able to go ahead; obviously this will depend on the activity booked and will be at the discretion of Heathery Heights in line with our Terms and Conditions.

Heathery Heights will specify the start time under the description of each walk, experience, or activity. Please allow plenty of time to get to your activity and allow time for going to toilets, putting on boots, etc. Please do not arrive late for your booked activity as we cannot expect other clients to wait and may have had to set off if you are not there on time.

Heathery Heights will specify the meeting place under the description of each walk, experience, or activity with brief directions, a Grid Reference and a Postcode where known. For some courses we send out full details of the exact location a few days in advance (ie to take into account weather conditions if wild swimming is included) but the main area will be indicated when you book the activity. For bespoke experiences meeting points will be arranged for the activity booked and with your specific travel needs in mind.

Heathery Heights does not provide meals for walks, activities or experiences unless otherwise indicated and you will need to bring your own food for all day trips or backpacking experiences. Where Heathery Heights includes the possibility for a meal or drink this will either be shown as optional or included for each specific experience.

Heathery Heights does not provide packed lunches or meals for walks, activities or experiences unless otherwise indicated and you will need to bring your own food for all day trips or backpacking experiences. Where Heathery Heights includes the possibility for a meal or drink this will either be shown as optional or included for each specific experience (ie lunch at a cafe or tasters on a foraging course).

A headtorch & spare batteries are required for challenge walks, sunset walks, navigation courses and night walks. They are also recommended for your emergency kit and should be carried during winter months where the daylight hours are short. Each walk or experience will also indicate if a headtorch is necessary. Please see the Heathery Heights Kit List.

Please see the Heathery Heights Kit List. We strongly recommend you wear walking boots with ankle support, especially if you are new to hill walking. However, more seasoned walkers may find that sturdy walking shoes, or trainers made specifically for trail or fell use, with a good grip, may be more comfortable for easier terrain, tracks and trails. Each walk will give an indication as to the difficulty and terrain likely to be encountered. Fashion trainers or trainers used for indoor sports are not suitable.

The length of time it takes to break in new boots will vary depending on the materials used.

Fabric boots generally take less time and wearing them round the house and for a few short walks will probably suffice. Remember that once they have been worn outside most suppliers will not accept returns (unless faulty) so wear them round the house for the odd hour over a few days first (make sure you do this within the time that fulfils the supplier’s returns policy). That way if they pinch or are too big you have the chance to return or exchange them for another make or size. You also need to look out for a good fit around the heel, not too tight, as you do not want your foot to slide forwards, this can cause toe problems on steep ground (and a few blackened toenails to boot).

Leather boots and heavier boots tend to take longer to break in. It is still worth going through the process of wearing the boots around the house to check there are no unwelcome pinch or rub points before going outside in case you need to return them. Thereafter it is worth wearing them for short walks over a couple of weeks. Some boots are great after just 10-20 miles whereas others may take a good 50 miles to really bed in. Ensure that they are kept treated as per manufacturer’s instructions to keep leather waterproof and supple.

Heathery Heights strongly recommends you wear walking boots with ankle support for all our activities unless it states otherwise. This is especially important if you are new to hill walking. However, more seasoned walkers may find that sturdy walking shoes, or trainers made specifically for trail or fell use, with a good grip, may be more comfortable for easier terrain, tracks and trails. For hillwalking and rough steep ground, we ask you wear walking boots that are fit for purpose with ankle support. Each walk will give an indication as to the difficulty and terrain likely to be encountered. When buying new boots we advise that you break them in prior to an activity to help reduce the likelihood of blisters. Fashion trainers or trainers used for indoor sports are not suitable.

Heathery Heights welcomes well behaved dogs on most of its guided walks with the stipulation that dogs are kept under close control or on a lead as appropriate. Clearing up dog mess also means that you will need to carry sufficient dog waste bags and a means to carry them out to dispose of in a bin; this is especially important where there are farm animals, water courses, buildings, paths, beaches, parks, historic monuments and areas where people or children are likely to explore, walk and play. A useful link for those walking their dogs in Scotland can be found here, and for England and Wales here.

However, Heathery Heights ask that you do not bring your dog on a navigation course. There may also be experiences where bringing a dog is not appropriate due to the nature or rules of a particular area or building that are beyond our control.

Each walk or experience that can be booked online will indicate whether bringing your dog is appropriate. When booking bespoke experiences Heathery Heights will discuss your requirements.

Heathery Heights always ask that you carry a waterproof jacket in your rucksack as a minimum even if the weather and forecast are good. This is especially important if you are out walking for the full day; on a course or backpacking experience; on an evening or night walk; during colder months (October to April). However, if it is glorious sunshine with a good forecast waterproof trousers are not usually necessary. The main reasons for carrying a waterproof jacket are:

• The weather can change quickly in Britain, especially in the hills; varying microclimates between mountains and glens do not always match a general forecast.
• The waterproof jacket is there for emergency use. If something does happen in the hills, remote areas, where there is no shelter or at night, you have an extra layer to keep you dry and warm whilst the emergency is dealt with or you await assistance.
• A waterproof jacket adds a valuable insulation layer when stopped for a break, in cool winds and as temperatures drop when gaining height or in the evening. However, a windproof is often better for walking in - if it is not raining - unless your jacket is highly breathable.

Please see the Heathery Heights Kit List for essential and non-essential clothes and equipment that we recommend.

When you book onto one of our walks or activities - be they online or bespoke – we will send you a kit list with items and equipment required for the day. Each event will also indicate what else is included (what we supply) and what else you should bring ie a packed lunch.