W I L D S C O T L A N D GUIDANCE FOR WILDLIFE , ADVENTURE & ACTIVITY TOURISM

OPERATORS IN SCOTLAND

COVID -19 GUIDANCE

ISSUE 5 / / 12TH AUGUST 2020

Introduction/ About

Specific update relating to 1 metre physical distancing

Operator / business C-19 restart check list

Check list continued

Generic Guidance / pre delivery

Generic Guidance / pre delivery

Generic Guidance / during delivery

Generic Guidance / post delivery

On the water activities C-19 Guidance

On the land activity C-19 Guidance

Accommodation C-19 Guidance

Other useful information

Disclaimer

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O N T H E W A T E R A C T I V I T I E S

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O N T H E L A N D A C T I V I T I E S

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A C C O M M O D A T I O N  

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Images Paul Tomkins / VisitScotland & CANVA

British Cave Rescue Organisation

Scottish Mountain Rescue

Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Staying Safe and Protecting Others - Phase 3

Tourism and Hospitality Guidelines

This guide has been produced by Wild Scotland to support and signpost operators and businesses in

the Wildlife, Adventure and Activity Tourism Sector in Scotland to websites and other information

pools to provide them with guidelines to ensure they operate safely and securely for the benefit of

themselves, their staff, their visitors and the wider public.

The suggestions are not meant to be definitive or finite, they are there to aid everyone to make

sensible decisions within their own operations.

Guidelines have been collated from a number of sources including NGBs, National Parks, Emergency

Services, Uk & Scottish Government and other useful websites / links.

We recommend that you follow and respect guidance from Scotland's Rescue Services and are

fully aware of any restrictions that may be in place due to Covid-19 before you plan and head

out:

Covid-19 guidance from Scottish Government relevant to tourism activity:

ABOUT

PAGE | 03Covid-19

Guidance for Wildlife, Adventureand Activity Providers in Scotland

Click on the logo for the latestCovid-19 advice from theCairngorms National Park

Authority

Click on the logo for the latestupdates and advice relating to

the Scottish Outdoor AccessCode

Click on the logo for thelatest Covid-19 advice from

Loch Lomond & The TrossachsNational Park Authority

As of Friday 7th August, we can confirm that the Regulations providing for the 1 metre physical

distancing rule in relation to passenger transport service premises now include tourism transport

operations – if available for use by the public. This would include for example: wildlife watching

day boat trips, sailing day trips, other tourism boat day trips, transport of guests to activities by

minibus etc. This means that face coverings must be warn on vehicles and vessels providing

these services and at off-road premises where passengers get on and off those service.

Physical distancing of 1 metre must also be observed at such premises.

Please bear in mind that there will be limits on the scope of the application of the passenger

transport rules and all proposed tourism activities must be considered on their own merits.

The Transport Scotland Guidance for Transport Operators covers physical distancing

requirements and risk assessments on vehicles and vessels (as opposed to on premises). It is

framed broadly as being applicable to operators of transport services and provides for 1 metre

physical distancing requirements in respect of vehicles and vessels.

Whilst tourism and hospitality activities consistent with passenger transport services are included

in the existing regulations providing a physical distancing exemption of at least 1 metre, all other

activities or elements of an experience should adhere to the Scottish Government Guidance for

the Tourism and Hospitality sector, which covers the whole sector, including marine and

adventure tourism.

Please note that any overnight activities must also adhere to the General Guidance and Tourism

and Hospitality Guidance, meaning that and the usual household limits apply, and at this point,

no more than three households can meet together indoors (including on a boat), and physical

distancing of 2 metres must be maintained at all times.

In short, the Transport Guidance for Operators allows businesses to operate at 1 metre on

board vehicles and vessels and would enable for example a larger capacity for day trips on

boats or transport to and from activities in minibuses etc.

S P E C I F I C U P D A T E R E L A T I N G T O 1 M E T R E P H Y S I C A L D I S T A N C I N G F O R M A R I N E D A Y T R I PO P E R A T O R S & A C T I V I T Y O P E R A T O R S U S I N G T R A N S P O R T E . G M I N I B U S E S T O T R A N S P O R TV I S I T O R S

PAGE | 04Covid-19

Guidance for Wildlife, Adventureand Activity Providers in Scotland

OPERATOR / BUSINESSRESTART CHECK LIST

Are you aware of all relevant current Government guidance andstatutory requirements - www.hse.gov.uk; www.gov.scot; Tourism andHospitality Guidelines

Have you checked with your insurance as to what is covered?

Have you carried out a satisfactory risk assessment for any proposedactivities and included Covid-19, noting the impact of socialdistancing? Find out HERE about doing a COVID risk assessment and workingsafely during the coronavirus outbreak.

British Cave Rescue OrganisationScottish Mountain RescueRoyal National Lifeboat Institution

Have you taken appropriate actions to mitigate the risk of requiring theemergency services? First Aid information for first responders HERElatest updates from the following:

Have you taken appropriate steps to mitigate the risk of infectionamongst staff, clients and the wider public?

PAGE | 05

If claims related to Covid-19 are not covered, have you made this

clear to your staff and clients?

Consider adding a statement or acknowledgement of risk with

regard to Covid-19 on your clients booking forms.

Do you know how you will handle situations where your policies andprocedures in relation to Covid-19 are not followed?

OPERATOR / BUSINESSRESTART CHECK LIST

Are you confident you can offer an appropriately ‘Covid-19secure’environment for your clients?

Do you know how you will manage a contact or suspected contact withCovid-19?

Do you have a weekly plan to implement all of the above?

Have you effectively communicated any new / revised operatingprocedures with staff?

PAGE | 06

GENERIC GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESSES / OPERATORS OFFERINGWILDLIFE, ADVENTURE AND ACTIVITY EXPERIENCES

What I Know:

Thinking about yourVISITORS

Thinking about YOURSELFand your STAFF

Inform your clients that if they have

symtoms however mild, or are in a

household where someone has symptoms,

they should not leave their house to take

part in activities. As part of the booking

procedures, ask your clients to complete a

medical declaration that references the

above.

Should you or your staff

have symptoms, however mild, or are in a

household where someone has symptoms,

they should not leave their house to provide

any form of activity.

Use equipment rotation when possible and

aim to ensure used equipment is not re-

issued for 72 hours or more, unless you are

able to thoroughly clean your equipment in

line with manufacturer’s instructions on

Covid-19 cleaning.

Operators should consider using an effective

equipment management system to

ensure equipment is both traceable and

trackable at all times.

Ask your clients to have hand sanitiser

available to them in their vehicle.

Inform your clients that it is unlikely

that public toilets will be open.

Consider whether any of the

activities/experiences can be kept

local to the clients’ accommodation

for comfort breaks.

Health

Client Payments Avoid cash payments wherever possible.

Ask clients to make payments in advance

electronically

Establish a safe means of electronic payments

where possible.

Travelarrangements

Ask clients to minimise the

number of vehicles travelling to the meet

and greet location.

If appropriate, keep social

distancing by meeting guests at an

appropriate location rather than collecting

them from their accommodation.

Minimise the vehicles you use.

Consider whether you need a vehicle to

transport clients or can revise your

activity/experience to avoid the use of a

communal one. Can staff use their own

vehicles alone to travel to meeting points.

Consider whether you need a trailer.

Equipmentconsiderations

Explain your equipment cleaning protocols

to your clients in advance of the

activity/experience. Explain where it is not

possible to offer certain equipment for

shared use due to the inability to ensure

hygiene rules can be adhered to.

Consider whether alternative

arrangements to mitigate any loss of

experience due to non-sharing of

equipment can be implemented.

Hygienearrangements

Ensure you have hand washing facilities or

hand sanitiser available in your vehicle or with

your staff and at the meeting point for clients to

use on arrival.

Provide disinfectant spray and/or wipes to use

in any circumstances where social distancing

can’t be maintained on surfaces and/or

vehicles during the activity/experience.

Pre

-de

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ry o

f act

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yPAGE | 07

GENERIC GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESSES / OPERATORS OFFERINGWILDLIFE, ADVENTURE AND ACTIVITY EXPERIENCES

Pre

-de

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f act

ivit

y

Food & Drink Ask your clients to bring their own food and

drink with them as it is unlikely that any

facilities will be open and you aren’t in a

position to offer any during the present

circumstances.

Ensure you and/or your

staff have their own food and drink with them

as it is unlikely that any

facilities will be open.

Avoid cash payments. Ask clients to make payments inadvance.

Ensure you are visible to avoid your clients

having to search for you.

Ensure your location enables an easy process

to issue any equipment needed by your clients,

which minimises your time here. Where clients

need assistance to put on specialist activity

equipment,

aim to use other group members to support

them unless absolutely necessary.There is

always a need to check that it’s fitted correctly.

TRAVELarrangements

Ask your clients to make themselves known

to you. Where possible, ask your clients to

be as activity ready in their attire, as

possible.

Ask clients to help one another in putting

on specialist activity equipment and inform

them that you will check to ensure it is fitted

correctly.

Where possible, encourage your clients to

be as activity ready in their attire, as

possible. Where this is not possible, ask

that they respect local residents and local

communities and do so as quickly and

discreetly as possible.

Where possible, aim to be changed and ready

for the activity on arrival at the meet & greet /

parking location.

Changing

Check that the venue you wish to use is open.

Avoid crowded areas and respect legitimate access restrictions and

impacts on local communities (e.g. being prepared to change activity venues or timings to

avoid crowding, particularly at known activity ‘hotspots’; moving carefully through ‘pinch

points’ including car parks, access points, narrow paths, gates and stiles – and/or coordinating

venues and timings with other providers to avoid overlap and liaising with landowners /

managers). Be creative and have several options in mind.

Meet & GreetlocationThis may not be where

you need to be for the

activity delivery but may

be the best location to

meet and greet as parking

may be a concern at the

actual activity location.

Consider being able to

walk to the activity site

from the ‘meet & greet’

location.

Where parking is needed either at the ‘meet & greet’ location or the activity location, ensure

there is sufficient space for you and your clients to do so safely, whilst respecting the local

residents and rural communities.

Parking

Activity VenueWhen choosing a venueremember that theremay be communitymembers in or near thevenues that are stillshielding or practicingstringent socialdistancing and to be asconsiderate as possible.

What I Know:

Thinking about yourVISITORS

Thinking about YOURSELF andyour STAFF

PAGE | 08

TRAVELarrangements

Once fitted, there should be no need to re-

adjust any equipment but if there is a need,

ask a group to assist. (within own social

group unit).

EquipmentConsiderations

Be aware that during the lockdown with having less of a human presence in the countryside it

is possible that you could encounter wildlife, plant and animals in areas not usually

occupied. This is an opportunity to share nature with your clients, avoid causing disturbance

and be aware of protected species.

HygieneArrangements

Ensure youhave handsanitiseravailable for

Du

rin

g th

e a

ctiv

ity

Ask your clients to have hand sanitiser

available to them at all times.

Ensure you have hand sanitiser available for use

at all times.

Physical Support&/or Help

Explain to your clients how you aim to

manage the activity and how you will be

looking to others within the group (within

own social group) to help and support,

under your guidance.

Aim to manage the activity in a way that does

not require you to provide any ‘hands on’

physical support. This may be a different

approach to the one you have used previously.

First Aidarrangements

Inform your clients that where possible,

you will be asking other group members

to assist with any first aid, under your

direction and that should you need to

administer first aid directly, you will

do so, taking all the necessary and

available precautions.

Ensure you are stocked up on surgical gloves

as you are likely to be using more of these.

Make sure your first aid kit is easily accessible

and laid out in a way that makes it easy for your

clients to find what they are looking for.

Familiarise yourself and your staff with UK

Government advice for first responders.

GENERIC GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESSES / OPERATORS OFFERINGWILDLIFE, ADVENTURE AND ACTIVITY EXPERIENCES

What I Know:

Thinking about yourVISITORS

Thinking about YOURSELFand your STAFF

PAGE | 09

WildlifeWatching

Choose appropriate meeting places to

start your experience, ensuring you can

stay socially distanced from the clients

and others throughout the period within

the location you have chosen.

Ensure the locations you choose will enable

you to stay socially distanced from your clients

and others on any tracks and paths.

Consider short transfers from one location to

another with staff and clients travelling in their

own vehicles to optimize the experience and

ensuring you stay away from crowded areas.

Be aware that during lockdown wildlife has been relatively undisturbed by people.

It is possible that you may have unexpected wildlife encounters and plant life may be more

abundant. Take care not to cause disturbance or destruction and be aware of protected

species. Be prepared to move your activity rather than cause disturbance. Treat this as an

opportunity to share nature with your clients.

PLEASE SEE SPECIFIC WILD SCOTLAND WILDLIFE WATCHING GUIDANCE HERE

Keep an eye on the fit of your clients'

equipment and should the need arise, request

that a member of the group (within own social

group) assists with the re-adjustment.

WildlifeConsiderations

Co

nsi

de

rati

on

s S

pe

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c to

Wild

life

Wat

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GENERIC GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESSES / OPERATORS OFFERINGWILDLIFE, ADVENTURE AND ACTIVITY EXPERIENCES

What I Know: Thinking about your

VISITORSThinking about YOURSELF

and your STAFF

Check that the venue you wish to use is open.

Avoid crowded areas and respect legitimate access restrictions and

impacts on local communities (e.g. being prepared to change activity venues or timings to

avoid crowding, particularly at known activity ‘hotspots’; moving carefully through ‘pinch

points’ including car parks, access points, narrow paths, gates and stiles – and/or

coordinating venues and timings with other providers to avoid overlap and liaising with

landowners / managers). Be creative and have several options in mind.

Avoid cash payments. Ask cliets tomake pments in advance.

TRAVELarrangements

Where possible, encourage your clients to

return home before changing. Where this is

not possible, ask that they respect local

residents and local communities and do so

as quickly and discreetly as possible.

Where possible, aim to change when you get

back to your place of business.Changing

Be aware that during the lockdown with having less of a human presence in the countryside it

is possible that you could encounter wildlife, plant and animals in areas not usually

occupied. This is an opportunity to share nature with your clients, avoid causing disturbance

and be aware of protected species.

Where parking is needed either at the ‘meet & greet’ location or the activity location, ensure

there is sufficient space for you and your clients to do so safely, whilst respecting the local

residents and rural communities.

PersonalClothing

Ensure youhave handsanitiser

il bl f

Po

st-d

eliv

ery

of a

ctiv

ity

Recommend that everyone washes their clothes after the activity.

Post sessionREVIEW

Inform your clients that you will be sending

them a feedback form, which will include

any thoughts on how you might improve

your provision during this time.

Consider the most appropriate way to obtain

feedback from your clients that will enable you

to make any necessary changes to the

management of your activities.

Follow Ups Inform your clients that

you will be following up to ensure that all

group members continue to feel

well, following the days activity.

Follow up with the group

within the week to ensure that remain fit and

well.

EquipmentConsiderations

Ask your clients to return any equipment

they have hired/borrowed and place the

items in a designated location.

Use equipment rotation when possible and aim

to ensure used equipment is not re-issued for

72 hours or more, unless you are able to

thoroughly clean your equipment in line with

manufacturer’s instructions on Covid-19

cleaning.

Providers should consider using an effective

equipment management system to ensure

equipment is both traceable and trackable at all

times.

The guidance above relates to a range of adventure activity businesses i.e. micro and SME’sthrough to very large outdoor activity centres and operators, many of who will have anaccommodation offer as integral to their provision.

The above information has been adapted to suit Scottish Wildlife, Adventure and Activity

Operators and originates from the information compiled by the Outdoor Alliance Wales.

PAGE | 10

COVID - 19 GUIDANCEFOR ON THE WATER ACTIVITY OPERATORS& BUSINESSES IN SCOTLAND

Powe rboa t i ng (R IBS /Spo r t s boa t s /PWCs ) , Y a ch t s a i l i n g / mo to r boa t c r u i s i ng

w i nd su r f i n g and d i ngy s a i l i n g Roya l Yach t i ng As soc i a t i o n Sco t l a nd , Sa i l

S co t l a nd , B r i t i s h Ma r i n e (UK Wide )

Su r f i ng - Sco t t i s h Su r f i ng Fede r a t i o n*

Canoe i ng / k a y a k i ng - Sco t t i s h Canoe As soc i a t i o n*

Padd l eboa r d i ng - B r i t i s h S t and Up Padd l e Boa r d i ng As soc i a t i o n

Wa te r s k i ng and wakeboa r d i ng - Wa te r s k i & Wakeboa r d Sco t l a nd*

Canyon i ng - t o f o l l o w s o o n

Coa s t e e r i ng - Na t i o n a l Coa s t e e r i ng Cha r t e r

D i v i ng - BSAC UK Gu i d ance

Open Sw imm ing - Sco t t i s h Sw imm ing*

Ang l i ng - Ang l i ng Sco t l a nd L t d*

O n t h e w a t e r a c t i v i t y g u i d a n c e

Below is an up to date list of the most relevant Covid-19 guidance relating to each on the water activity.

We encourage all water based activity operators invest extra time in planning their activity.

We recommend that you have your own Covid-19 risk assessment and operational plan applying relevant

and up to date advice from: National Governing Bodies & Scottish Government/UK Government.

We also recommend adhering to important guidance from RNLI Scotland and HM Coastguard.Please note, there maybe some guidelines missing - we will update as and when possible. All guidelines marked with an * have been officially approved.

PAGE | 11

COVID - 19 GUIDANCEFOR ON THE LAND ACTIVITY OPERATORS &BUSINESSES IN SCOTLAND

Wa l k i ng / h i k i ng / moun t a i n ee r i ng / s k i i n g - Moun t a i n ee r i ng Sco t l a nd*

Cyc l i ng / moun t a i n b i k i ng - Deve l op i ng Moun t a i n B i k i ng i n Sco t l a nd*

Or i e n t e e r i ng - Sco t t i s h Or i e n t e e r i ng*

A r che r y - Sco t t i s h A r che r y *

Cav i ng - B r i t i s h Cav i ng As soc i a t i o n

Bushc r a f t - t o f o l l o w s o o n

O f f r o ad / 4 x4 / quad -b i k e s e t c - t o f o l l o w s o o n BORDA

Z i p l i n e s / h i gh r ope s - Eu r opean Rope s Cou r s e As soc i a t i o n

Wi l d l i f e wa t ch i ng - Wi l d Sco t l a nd

Hang G l i d i ng and Pa r ag l i d i ng - Sco t t i s h Hang G l i d i ng & Pa r ag l i d i ng

Fede r a t i o n*

Ho r s e r i d i ng / t r e k k i ng - Ho r s e Sco t l a nd*

Coun t r y Spo r t s i n c l ud i ng c l a y p i geon and r i f l e s hoo t i ng - Sco t t i s h Coun t r y

Spo r t s Tou r i sm G roup

Sco t t i s h D i s ab i l i t y Spo r t *

Upda t ed gu i d ance f r om Spo r t Sco t l a nd abou t 1 : 1 coach i ng .

Sco t t i s h Cyc l i ng*

O n t h e l a n d a c t i v i t y g u i d a n c e

Below is an up to date list of the most relevant Covid-19 guidance relating to land based activity.

We encourage all operators to invest extra time in planning their activity.

We recommend that you have your own Covid-19 risk assessment and operational plan applying relevant

and up to date advice from: National Governing Bodies & Scottish Government/UK Government.

We also recommend adhering to important guidance from Scottish Mountain Rescue.Please note, there maybe some guidelines missing - we will update as and when possible. All guidelines marked with an * have been officially approved.

PAGE | 12

COVID - 19 GUIDANCEFOR ACCOMMODATION PROVIDERS INSCOTLAND

You t h Hos t e l s - Hos t e l l i n g Sco t l a nd

Moun t a i n Bo t h i e s - Moun t a i n Bo t h i e s As soc i a t i o n

Se l f Ca t e r i ng - As soc i a t i o n o f Sco t l a nd ’ s Se l f -Ca t e r e r s

Ho t e l s & Bed and B r e a k f a s t - UK Tou r i sm & Hosp i t a l i t y Gu i de l i n e s

Camps i t e s , ho l i d a y t o u r i ng pa r k s - B r i t i s h Ho l i d a y & Home Pa r k s As soc i a t i o n

Gove r nmen t adv i c e on c a r a v an s i t e s and ho l i d a y pa r k s

A c c o m m o d a t i o n G u i d e l i n e s

PAGE | 13

Below is an up to date list of the most relevant Covid-19 guidance for accommodation providers.

Other useful Information PAGE | 03

Below is a further list of helpful links relating to the outdoors.

Padd l e spo r t Equ i pmen t Peak UK

Cov i d -19 l i n k s and r e s ou r c e s f o r equ i pmen t owne r s Pape r t r a i l B l og A r t i c l e

1 : 1 coach i ng - gu i d ance f r om Spo r t Sco t l a nd

F i r s t A i d adv i c e f o r F i r s t Re sponde r s f r om UK Gove r nmen t

S c o t t i s h N a t u r a l H e r i t a g e – G u i d a n c e f o r L a n d M a n a g e r s & S c o t t i s h O u t d o o r A c c e s s C o d e

C a i r n g o r m s N a t i o n a l P a r k

F o r e s t r y & L a n d S c o t l a n d

N a t i o n a l T r u s t f o r S c o t l a n d

L o c h L o m o n d & T r o s s a c h s N a t i o n a l P a r k

S c o t t i s h C a n a l s

A s s o c i a t i o n o f D e e r M a n a g e m e n t G r o u p s

J o h n M u i r T r u s t

S c o t t i s h E n v i r o n m e n t a l P r o t e c t i o n A g e n c y

S c o t t i s h W i l d l i f e T r u s t

T r e e s f o r L i f e

H i s t o r i c E n v i r o n m e n t S c o t l a n d

C o v i d - 1 9 l i n k s a n d r e s o u r c e s f o r e q u i p m e n t o w n e r s a n d m a n a g e r s

C o a c h i n g / G u i d e s

C o v i d - 1 9 g u i d a n c e f r o m l a n d m a n a g e m e n t a g e n c i e s

M o r e u s e f u l i n f o r m a t i o n

PAGE | 14

D I S C L A I M E R

T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s p r o v i d e d i n g o o d f a i t h a s a n a i d e m e m o i r e f o r o p e r a t o r s

a n d o t h e r s t o u s e d u r i n g t h i s p e r i o d o f C o v i d - 1 9 r e s t r i c t i o n s . I t i s n o t

i n t e n d e d t o d o a n y t h i n g o t h e r t h a n p r o v i d e a s i g n p o s t t o p o s s i b l e w a y s o f

w o r k i n g t o m a k e a l l a c t i v i t i e s / e x p e r i e n c e s a s s a f e a s p o s s i b l e f o r s t a f f ;

c l i e n t s a n d t h e w i d e r p u b l i c d u r i n g t h i s t i m e . I t i s n o t i n t e n d e d t o b e a

c o m p l e t e l i s t o f a c t i o n s b u t a s a n a i d t o s t a r t t h o u g h t p r o c e s s e s f o r a n y

o p e r a t o r s a n d t o m a k e s u g g e s t i o n s o n a r e a s f o r c o n s i d e r a t i o n .

A l l o p e r a t o r s r e m a i n l i a b l e f o r t h e i r o w n a c t i o n s a n d f o r t h e s a f e t y a n d

s e c u r i t y o f t h e i r s t a f f a n d c l i e n t s a n d m u s t c o n t i n u e t o e n s u r e t h a t t h e y

a l w a y s h a v e t h i s i n t h e f o r e f r o n t o f t h e i r m i n d s .

W e s h a l l u p d a t e t h i s d o c u m e n t f r o m t i m e t o t i m e a s a n d w h e n o t h e r

i n f o r m a t i o n b e c o m e s a v a i l a b l e , b u t w h e n c o m p l e t i n g p r o c e d u r e s , a l l

o p e r a t o r s m u s t c h e c k t h e c u r r e n t r e q u i r e m e n t s a p p l i c a b l e t o t h e i r o w n

o p e r a t i o n s .

T h e a u t h o r s d o n o t a c c e p t a n y l i a b i l i t y f o r t h e i n f o r m a t i o n p r o v i d e d .

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W I L D S C O T L A N DS U I T E 2 1 2 I 8 , C H U R C H S T R E E T I I N V E R N E S S I I V 1 1 E A

W I L D - S C O T L A N D . O R G . U K I I N F O @ W I L D - S C O T L A N D . C O . U K