Mountain Innovations is a specialist walking company currently operating exclusively in the Highlands of Scotland. We differ from most other walking companies in that your guides and instructors are also your hosts at your accommodation. We offer a complete hospitality package in house.

We firmly believe ‘the day’ doesn’t finish with the walk or coaching. It's about returning after a brilliant day out to “Cake-O’Clock” - a welcoming mug of tea, freshly baked cakes and a roaring fire. The superb home cooking, the totally relaxed and friendly atmosphere of our own lodge (or holiday Cottage) and being with like-minded people, make for a brilliant holiday.

Walking & Mountaineering Courses in the Highlands of Scotland
Established for over 10 years now, we are an owner-run provider based in the Scottish Highlands. Your hosts; Andrew and Rebecca provide for you through-out your stay and are always on hand to ensure your holiday exceeds expectations. Andrew’s knowledge of the mountain environment is extensive. Complemented by expeditions around the world, having a background in geology and a keen interest in natural history, he’s a mine of information.

Mountain Courses and Walking Holidays Scotland
Rebecca has worked, trekked & travelled extensively through SE Asia. Having a great love of food she brings her knowledge of global cuisines to produce her highly regarded and creative dishes. Bread is baked daily and the same care and attention is paid to the expedition food – homemade and dehydrated to save weight. Carrot and Cardamom soup in a snow hole! Why not? No one else goes to these lengths.

We are very proud of all the great testimonials Mountain Innovations receives. You arrive as a guest and leave as friends. It can't be beat!
So come and enjoy a complete adventure with us!

This isn't something that we only pay lip service to because it makes guests feel good about booking or increases our profits. It is endemic through Mountain Innovations whole operation and it stems from Andrew's life long interest in the natural world and a deep desire to see it flourish. Biodiversity is the modern term for what we aspire to. It is based on a belief that the greater the indigenous biodiversity, the stronger and more productive the environment is, and the more able it is able to support the high demands man places on it. This isn't to say, of course, that mankind need not reduce its demands on the environment on which we all still ultimately depend.

Let's be honest, in this world of ours where we are so dependant on oil, it's virtually impossible to be totally environmentally responsible. Be suspicious of anyone who claims they are! Virtually everything we all do or create oil will have had some involvement. This isn't to say being environmentally sustainable isn't worth striving for, we would say it's vital. With our Cairngorm based holidays we have complete control of our operation and through our desire to minimalise our demands on the environment we provide some of the most environmentally sustainable holidays and courses available.

What we actually do - our Environmental Policy.
This is the important bit and what often costs time. Overall our approach is to abide by the 3 R's: Reduce, Re-use, Recycling, in that order. In fact Mountain Innovations goes one stage further with a 4th R - Resourceful - sustainably, of course.

We are the only operator who can claim to be sustainably self-sufficient in anyway. It may only be in 3 things: herbs, kindling and compost, but it is a start. We have been self sufficient in these things since we opened in 1998. Why is it good to be self-sufficient. Well there is far less, virtually zero, inbound energy. There's no packaging and in our case, no transport involved.

We compost all kitchen vegetable waste and non-woody garden waste i.e. all weeds, 'soft' cuttings, lawn cuttings, etc. We have over 4 cubic meters of composting capacity which is a lot but is an appropriate for the size of the grounds and amount of waist vegetable matter produced. Their size and construction allows adequate heat build up to result in the destruction of weeds and their seeds - therefore reducing the need for organic herbicides. Soil is added to form good compost. This is then spread on the garden and vegetable patch and some is riddled to produce fine potting compost. This way the nutrients are returned to the ground. We don't use horticultural peat products - the use of peat by British gardeners has resulted in the destruction of a number of bog habitats in Ireland.

All woody garden waste resulting from tree and shrub pruning are cut up, dried and used as kindling on our wood burning stove & open fire. This avoids having to purchase kindling that inevitably has far more in-bound energy or using firelighters which have their origins in fossil fuels.

We source as much local produce as we can, not least from out fantastic local butcher going by the name of Mr Mustard. We employ local instructors and guides and operate year round in the Highlands helping to sustain the local economy throughout the quieter periods. We have a shop in the village open 7 days a week and a fantastic post office open from 7am!

Newspaper and cardboard - these are reused for drying boots and lighting fires. We reuse office paper by printing on the reverse for internal company use. Junk mail, waist office paper and excess newspaper, steel and aluminium cans are all placed in our black box and collected by Highland Council for recycling.

Wood Fuel - we burn cut-offs (a saw mill waste product) in our wood burning stove and on the open fire. The wood is cut and chopped mainly by hand to minimise the use of power tools. Over the forthcoming year we plan to increase are use of wood as a fuel to reduce our demand on less environmentally friendly types of energy.

Why is wood good? Well, as long as it's grown sustainably, it doesn't introduce more carbon into the natural carbon cycle, as do fossil fuels. This is one way Mountain Innovations reduces its carbon emissions. Basically wood is a vehicle by which we convey the sun's energy to where we want it.

Going full circle When man first step foot on these Isles he would have used wood as a fuel. This is becoming one of the important fuels for the future here in the Highlands and we are now looking it a wood pellet burner for Fraoch Lodge.

Wood Ash is used on the garden as a potassium fertilizer. This is riddled to separate the ash from the charcoal which is returned to the wood stove.

Nothing left on the hill. This includes things like banana skins, orange peel, uneaten food, etc. Although all these things are ultimately biodegradable, they only do so very slowly in the mountain environment. Apart from looking unsightly, encourage scavengers like Seagulls and Crows up into an environment in which they do not belong and, come the spring/summer, they will raid the nests of species such as Ptarmigan and Snow bunting.

Native Trees to the region are encouraged to grow in the garden of Fraoch Lodge. One area of the garden has been over planted with non-native trees. These are in the process of being thinned to create more space and light for the native trees and organic growing. Inappropriately placed self-sown native saplings are transplanted to more appropriate locations. The wood is used for heating.

Glass is recycled via the local bottle banks, though we do feel that re-use would be far more preferable to avoid the huge amount of energy used to melt the glass down to make new bottles. We have notices in our accommodation encouraging guests to recycle glass and newspapers.

Clothes and footwear are also sent for reuse or recycling and replaced computer equipment is sent to a charity that sends it on to less developed countries. Our used printer cartridges are set away for recycling and all unwanted furniture is collected by a local charity working to help the homeless.

We are signed up to Green Electricity whereby the supplier plants trees on the basis of the number of units sold. Mountain Innovations has a policy of replacing broken or worn out lighting and appliances with energy efficient versions. Guests are encouraged to take showers rather than baths to conserve water. There are notices in the bathrooms to this effect. We minimise the use of water in the garden and do not water the lawn however dry. We've also reduced the over capacity in our toilet cisterns to further conserve water.

Carrier bags are re-used for carrying groceries so we reduce our demand. They are also used as bin liners. We do not use large black dustbin liners preferring to regularly wash the dustbin out.

We encourage guests to use public transport by offering free transfers between Inverness Airport and Aviemore train station and by using a minibus to transport our guests between the accommodation and the start of the route when on our guided walking holidays or courses.

Minimizing your impact Mountain Innovations is always looking for new ways of reducing our demands on the natural environment, so you can be rest assured that by booking on a Mountain Innovations holiday or course you will be keeping you impact on the environment to an absolute minimum.

Departure Guarantee
We are proud to continue to offer our unique departure guarantee*. If your booking is confirmed by Mountain Innovations you can be assured that your holiday will run. We can offer this guarantee as we are unique amongst walking holiday operators in Scotland by providing all the parts of your holiday (guiding, accommodation and catering) in-house.
* Mountain Innovations reserves the right to alter the venue and itinerary of holidays advertised as based away from Fraoch Lodge.

Terms & Conditions
1. Deposit: a non-refundable deposit of 50% of per person is required with your booking. The contract shall be formed when the company acknowledges acceptance of the customers booking form and required payment.

2. Payment: The balance is due 28 days before arrival. No contract exists until we have acknowledged our booking with a receipt and an invoice for the balance. In compliance with the UK Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 a client deposit account has been arranged with the Royal Bank of Scotland to protect monies paid in respect of travel arrangements offered in the Brochure and to cater, where necessary (and subject to the terms of the insurance policy), for a refund of such monies in the unlikely event of our financial failure. The balance of payment is due 28 days prior to the commencement of the course. Credit/debit cards accepted are: Visa, Mastercard, Switch, Delta & Solo. Non-refundable deposits will be debited on receipt of the booking form. Balances will automatically be debited to your card 28 days prior to the commencement of the course.

3. Departure Guarantee: We are proud to continue to offer our unique departure guarantee*. If your booking is confirmed by Mountain Innovations you can be assured that your holiday will run. We can offer this guarantee as we are unique amongst walking holiday operators in Scotland by providing all the parts of your holiday (guiding, accommodation and catering) in-house. * Mountain Innovations reserves the right to alter the venue and itinerary of holidays advertised as based away from Fraoch Lodge.

4. Green Travel discount: For the green travel discount to apply to your booking you must notify us of your travel plans at least 28 days before your course/holiday is due to commence. For full details of Mountain Innovations' Green Travel discount please go to: www.scotmountain.co.uk

5. Accommodation is usually in twin rooms unless stated otherwise and we request that clients who book individually share a twin room. Where a single room is requested, we will do everything we can to accommodate that request. However, where we cannot achieve this, requesting a single room may attract a supplement. When making a booking you accept that this additional supplement may apply and, where appropriate, you will be advised and invoiced for the relevant amount. On some itineraries please note that no single accommodation is available.

6. Winter Equipment: It is the client's responsibility to ensure you have the right equipment for the course. Some hire equipment can be organised through Mountain Innovations. All clients on winter courses must inform Mountain Innovations of your requirements when your balance of payment becomes due i.e. 28 days before the course begins. If Mountain Innovations are not informed of your requirements in enough time to organise the correct equipment for you, you may be refused access on to the hill. All clients must inform us of boot size as well as make and model of your own boots. The safekeeping of all equipment issued for use during the activity is the customer's responsibility. With exception of fair wear and tear, the company recerves the right to charge for equipment that has been lost of misused.

7. Dietary requirements: You must notify us of any special dietary requirements of intense food dislikes when the balance of payment becomes due (28 days prior to the commencement of your course/holiday). The company can not be expected to cater for any special provision at short notice.

8. Cancellation: If you wish to cancel after your booking has been confirmed, write to us. The date of cancellation shall be the date we receive your letter. Cancellation charges: up to 28 days prior to arrival, deposit only Less that 28 days, full cost.

9. Changes in booking: We will try to accommodate changes in bookings. If it is possible for your booking to be changed there will be an administrative charge of £15.

10. Minors: We do not accept bookings from under 18s unaccompanied by a parent or guardian.

11. Liability: Mountain Innovations accepts no liability for the death of, or personal injury to anyone whilst undertaking any activities organised by us, nor for any loss or damage resulting therefrom unless caused by the proven negligence of the company or its servants. We do not accept loss or expense due to delays or changes in travel services, sickness, weather or any other cause outside the control of Mountain Innovations.

12. Complaints: If you have any complaints let us know as soon as possible during your holiday. We will do our very best to sort them out.

13. Activities: Clients must recognise that mountain activities are hazardous by their nature and must accept a certain element of risk.

14. Insurance: Clients are advised to take out insurance, which covers cancellation, activities and private property.

15. Courses: When a guide is specified by name Mountain Innovations will endeavour to supply that guide. However, if he/she is not available a fully qualified alternative will be provided.

16. Itineraries: Clients must accept that routes mentioned on holiday itineraries are provisional. Final choice of route on the day is at the discretion of the guide provided by Mountain Innovations Ltd.

17. Photographs: From time to time photographs taken on Mountain Innovations courses and holidays may appear in the Mountain Innovations brochure and promotional material. If customers do not wish to be photographed please raise this with the course instructor/holiday guide at the time.

18. Data Protection: The personal information requested by Mountain Innovations at the time of booking plus any subsequent information is held in its original form and on computer. The information is required to assist the company, employees, agents and sub-contractors to deliver the course and in maintaining the company's high standards of delivery. By providing us with the information to process your booking you are agreeing that the information can be kept and accessed by authorised company personnel. Contact details will be used to advixe you of future offers either by post or email. If you do not want to receive future mailing please advise us.