Our courses and expeditions are designed to educate, motivate and inspire our clients. All of our courses and expeditions carry an element of risk but these risks are balanced by the very real benefits that instructors and clients can enjoy from being in the mountains.

We aim to educate our clients to the risks involved and make them aware of the processes we use to manage risk whilst at the same time accepting that we cannot remove all risk to either clients, instructors or those people around us.

The mountaineering community recognises that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering carry a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should therefore be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.

Instructors/Leaders Qualifications: All instructors and leaders used by SOTRG will have the appropriate qualification for the activity being undertaken. In winter we sometimes use Trainee WMCI’s, these individuals are already qualified to work in Summer in all aspects of technical mountaineering and are preparing to take their final assessment. Any trainee used by SOTRG is being mentored by us and we know very well, they have also been though a number of mentoring phases before working with SOTRG clients. You will always be made aware if your instructor is a trainee prior to booking.

Insurance:.
All instructors and leaders hold individual Public Liability Insurance.
Clients are recommended to take out personal accident and cancellation insurance. We suggest the BMC.

The participant, customer, parent or guardian should, as far as is reasonably practicable, take responsibility for ensuring:

• That the activity offered suits participants’ needs, expectations and capabilities
• That participants’ actions conform to any safety guidance given during the process of instruction or supervision
• That any distress or concern during, or resulting from, the activity is drawn to the
  immediate attention of the instructor/leader in charge
• That they are aware of the recognised risks and hazards associated with the activity and
  are prepared to accept them
• That the equipment and clothing used are suitable for the activity and worn as directed and that due regard is given to care of the environment and other users.

PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT:
When an activity becomes predictable and absolutely safe, it ceases to be exciting or by definition to be an adventure. For an activity to be adventurous it must have an uncertain outcome and it will carry risks. Going into mountainous regions is implicitly hazardous, and if we add to that an adventurous activity, then by necessity the hazards are increased. This implies an inherent and intractable risk of injury or, in the extreme, loss of life. Anyone considering taking part in a trip needs to consider this very seriously and to take responsibility for their own participation and acknowledge and accept these risks.

Scotch on the Rocks Guiding reserves the right to remove participants from courses and expeditions on the grounds of safety at their discretion without refund or compensation.

Overseas Expeditions: Our expeditions and courses are educational, and they are exciting, they will take you to parts of the world that will make a big impression on you and equally will benefit from the impression that we can offer them. You will experience moments that will remain with you for the rest of your life. Sadly, some of these areas are impoverished. This alone is an important incentive to go but it means we operate invariably in regions with limited infrastructure. If you are injured, problems with infrastructure alone can mean a delayed evacuation and so a worse medical outcome than for a similar accident nearer to home.

For us the benefits of mountaineering expeditions overseas far outweigh the negatives, that is why we do what we do and we hope the same will be true for you. In order to take part in a truly exciting, adventurous activity with all the rewards of experiencing diverse cultures and sharing unforgettable memories with newly found friends, you have to accept the risks involved.

The BMC and Mountaineering Scotland acts on behalf of walkers, climbers and mountaineers in the UK and offers the following participation statement that we ask you to agree to:

“The BMC recognises that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.”

Complaints:
All complaints should be addressed in writing to:
Sandy Paterson, 10 Farquhar Street, Hopeman, Elgin, Moray, IV30 5SN

sandy@sotrg.co.uk

Complaints will be investigated by Sandy Paterson in the first instance. Where a complaint remains unresolved Scotch on the Rocks Guiding agree to the matter being referred to the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI).

INSURANCE & LOSS

Our courses do not include any personal accident, cancellation, third party liability or personal injury insurance. We recommend that you take out your own policy. We will accept no responsibility whatsoever in respect of loss or damage to personal property.