GOING FORWARD WITH HEATHERLEA
26 June 2020

We are preparing to resume our holidays in the UK later this summer. Heatherlea will not reopen immediately on 15th July, please watch this page for more announcements as our plans develop. If you are booked on a tour in July or August, we will contact you in person. 

As we prepare to reopen, we are experiencing great demand for tours due from mid-August, and are pleased to announce special deals so you can return to Scotland’s wide-open spaces at great prices. Read the detail in our latest ENews, or go directly to our ‘Short Breaks’ and ‘Birders Blast’ pages to see the special deals.

Looking forward to 2021
‘New horizons and old favourites’ is the theme of our preparation for 2021. In Scotland, some island trips are already full, and many 'Mainland’ holidays based at Mountview Hotel are also close to capacity. Availability is limited, as we know you will understand.

With the help of our local agents and friends across the world, we have developed new practices to modernise for the ‘new normal’, and see this as a vitally important development to the Heatherlea service. To summarise the key points:

• During the remainder of 2020 and 2021 should we feel that a tour is at risk before your balance payment is due, we will contact you to chat through the options.
• If we have to cancel a tour due to FCO Travel Advice, we will either refund you in full within 14 days, or transfer to a different departure. This applies to all tours, anywhere in the world. (Please note that if you choose to cancel your holiday before we officially cancel a tour, our booking conditions will apply, though you may be able to claim back our cancellation charge from your insurer).
• For holidays in 2022 or later, you can book any tour without paying any deposit. When the holiday is one year ahead, or earlier should it become full, you will be invited to pay a deposit in the normal way to secure your place on the tour.

NEW! The HEATHERLEA Five-Year Holiday Planner
Our clients are planning ahead more than ever before. To help you map out your trips, we are delighted to introduce our ‘Five-year Holiday Planner’ (available late-July). This allows you to construct a personal forward diary of Heatherlea holidays, which you can then reserve without initial obligation for those more than one year ahead.

Additions, changes and developments to the Planner will be advised every month, so you are fully up to date. Remember, for holidays over one year ahead you may reserve your place without deposit, and as the holiday approaches we will keep in touch before you pay your balance.

Finally, we hope our 2021/22 Brochure will be available this time next month, both electronically and by hard copy in the post. Heatherlea fully intend to forge into the future stronger than ever, and we look forward to taking you birding again!

Kevin, Caryl and all the Heatherlea Team

 

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Mr Jonny Pott

With deep sadness, I have to report the passing of our dear friend and much-loved Heatherlea Guide, Jonny Pott. Jonny died peacefully in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, late on the evening of Thursday 16 April, with his family around him.

Jonny had been suffering for some time with an incurable condition which he bore bravely and with great dignity. His optimism for life never departed, and even when retiring from Heatherlea on health grounds earlier this year, his only thought was to return in some role where he could be involved with wildlife and our clients. Very sadly, this was not to be.

My heartfelt sympathies to his family, and to all friends in the wider Heatherlea family, many of whom had known and loved Jonny for years.

Sustained by his strong religious faith, Jonny was an inspiration, not least to those who joined him in enjoyment of our wonderful Scottish natural history. His tales, good humour, and caring personality will always be remembered by everyone who knew him. Jonny was committed to many good works, and his effort for the poor in Haiti is worthy of mention on this saddest of days.

Jonny Pott was perhaps the kindest and most humane person I have ever met. I am privileged to have known him.

Kevin Shaw, 17 April 2020

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Welcome to Heatherlea, your natural destination for wildlife!

 

 

Birding & Wildlife Holidays in Scotland and Worldwide

Heatherlea are your natural choice! We specialise in friendly holidays to see birds and mammals in the wild. Our fully inclusive tours include comfortable en-suite hotel accommodation, all food, transport and the services of top quality experienced Leaders. Everything you need!

We have recently launched all our dates and destinations for 2021 holidays, with many exciting new tours in both the UK and further afield. Read all about our tours on this website, and please also see our new 2020/21 Brochure!

Click here to read our 2020/21 Brochure, all holidays now booking!