Alba Ballooning
Alba Ballooning
5
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5.0
82 reviews
Excellent
78
Very good
1
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Syed A
Geel, Belgium70 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
We had booked flights but due to poor weather over the last few years hardly any flights could take off... meaning the company could not sustain :(
Written 1 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear SalamTraveler. I welcome all reviews but your statements are incorrect. The company has NOT gone bust. To go bust means that a company can't meet its liabilities and ceases trading - we are in neither state. We have just had to cease our public flights for the weather reasons the website homepage explains, and no doubt explained to you, and are in the process of refunding or transferring elsewheres our remaining unflown valid voucher holders. I'm guessing (as you don't state your name) that you are one of these and have probably received a refund from us which you would not have done if we had indeed gone bust! You are also incorrect in claiming that hardly any flights could take-off unless you regard us doing over 1200 flights in the past 18 years as being "hardly any"!!! Again, this is stated on our website homepage. I have been very grateful for all the understanding, support and sympathy I have received from my customers, flown and unflown, at this frustrating and difficult time in dealing with the impact of Scottish weather which has certainly reduced the number of flights that we were able to make these past few years to the point at which continuing the public flights has ceased to be financially viable, very sadly. Incorrectly claiming that we have gone bust or done hardly any flights doesn't help, I assure you.
Written 2 March 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
bobby_gers
Dundee, UK8 contributions
Sep 2017 • Solo
After a very long wait with an awful lot of bad luck and several cancellations I finally realised a childhood dream and had the most wonderful balloon flight on Monday . This is definitely the only way to travel. The most amazing flight from Peebles in a perfect evening , well worth the wait, patience and perseverance paying of .Thank you so much Pete and Sue ,for their patience, and a truly wonderful experience . I highly recommend Alba ballooning to anyone wishing to have an awesome time.
Written 29 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ALAN M
Gatehouse of Fleet, UK8 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
Had to rebook three times to get the right weather conditions for our flight, but what a flight! We had a brilliant journey from West Linton to Temple near Edinburgh at 3000 feet. Hands on, when setting things up and when packing up at the end improved the experience for us. I would recommend booking with Alba Ballooning, who are a very professional company. It was worth the wait.
Written 20 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bvjyvbjjg564
Falkirk, UK1 contribution
Aug 2017 • Solo
A exhilerating experience. A marvellous flight but standing in a field of uncut hay (grass we were besieged by millions of midges. Not nice. But best of all - a few days later I recieved a parking fine for £100, for overstay in car park.
It would have been nice if someone had forewarned me. Apparently no one else used the car park.
It would have been nice if someone had forewarned me. Apparently no one else used the car park.
Written 14 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Sheila. I'm glad that you enjoyed the flight especially as you had to make quite a few bookings before getting suitable weather. I'm sorry that you felt it was spoilt by midges after landing but, unfortunately, as ballooning takes place in the evening when the winds are light, this is prime 'midge time' too on occasion. Nothing we can do about that. I don't understand why you left your car in the pay carpark as, apart from there being prominent signs all around it, I tell all the passengers about the time restriction in the arrival briefing and to move their cars to an adjacent free parking area (as everyone else did) if they wish to save the £8 charge. So I don't know why you didn't hear this or act upon it. I recall that you were concerned when we returned you to that free parking area as your car wasn't there with the others so both my driver and myself walked you across to where you had left your car and saw you safely on your way home. Nevertheless, as a goodwill gesture, if you send me the ticket. I will pay it for you. Kind regards. Pete.
Written 15 September 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nazera R
35 contributions
Sep 2017
Well worth waiting for the right weather conditions for an absolutely amazing experience and definitely up for doing this again
Written 4 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nazera. Thanks for taking the time to write and for such a positive review. Great that you got such awesome weather conditions for your flight. Well deserved! Best wishes. Pete and the team.
Written 6 September 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tom P
Hawick, UK1 contribution
Sep 2017 • Solo
After many cancellations due to inclement weather - had my flight Friday evening. It was bought last year by my younger son - and was actually seen by him during his home visit briefly from New Zealand. Couldn't have worked out better.
Great experience.
Many thanks to Pilot Peter.
Great experience.
Many thanks to Pilot Peter.
Written 3 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Tom for taking the time to write your lovely review. Glad that you got such perfect conditions for your flight from Kelso and along the river Tweed. Well deserved after your persistence in booking this year! Best wishes. Pete and the team.
Written 6 September 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Steven R
Livingston, UK13 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Wow, just wow!! The only way to travel!! I received my ticket as a birthday present last July with my wife and after checking she hadn't changed our will we booked for the end of the month. Unfortunately, Scottish weather dictated and we were cancelled 9 times as a result! Peter the owner was sympathetic to the point we felt sorry for him but at the start of July this year our time came! We were the most unfortunate ones on our trip with the other couples having only been cancelled 3 or 4 times so don't lose heart as we almost did. Nervously excited, we helped build up the balloon and as the midges started to bite, of we flew waving to the gathered crowd below! Stunning views from 700ft up at our highest travelling from West Linton to Penicuik and after a 40 minute flight travelling at nearly 20mph at one point and down we came, near perfect landing! Wee glass of bubbly and a certificate to celebrate. Thanks Peter the pilot, one of the bucket list!!
Written 1 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for writing that detailed and informative review of your flight (especially the superlative start!) and glad that you clearly enjoyed it. Best wishes. Pete
Written 4 August 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David W
Edinburgh, UK15 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
There aren't many perfect ballooning days in Scotland so to get a launch on our first attempt was amazingly fortunate. And the weather - if there's a better day this year then it will be one for the record books. We took off from Peebles as the early morning mist was being slowly burnt off by the warming sun. As we gracefully rose up in the air the scenery was spectacular - 360 degrees of clear blue sky and views of the Scottish Borders, the Lothians and South Lanarkshire stretched out below us. If we had binoculars we would have seen the southern Highlands. Fife was clearly visible together with the new Queensferry road crossing. The gentle breeze carried us over the rolling hills and we took delight in spotting deer, buzzards and herons. Sheep and cattle took some interest in us too. While the clear safety briefing at the start of the trip had indicated the various possibilities for landings, Peter's skill ensured we landed very gently at the preferred landing site after a perfect hour of ballooning. Our reward for packing away the balloon and basket was a much appreciated glass of Bucks Fizz. All in all a tremendous experience, very well organized and we would thoroughly recommend. Thanks for allowing us to tick off a "bucket list" item - Wyllie Family
Written 18 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for that lovely review. Certainly was a great flight over Peeblesshire and the weather couldn't have been better for you. Best wishes. Pete and the team.
Written 19 July 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ruth E
Edinburgh, UK11 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Meeting point was easy to locate, driver turns up with balloon basket on trailer so no chance of missing him. Jump in the land rover and its a quick trip to a nearby field depending on wind direction, it was great fun learning and helping out with the inflation very good instructions from Pete our pilot. Then the fun begins when you lift up above the trees and drift along. It was so peaceful up there i would recommend it to anyone with a sense of adventure. Landing was a couple of bumps to the ground hut nothing that isnt expected your in a basket afterall. Team work to get the air out of balloon then a glass of champagne. Great bunch of people and a great evening. Thanks again we had an amazing experience.
Written 18 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Ruth for taking the time and thought in your kind review. It was indeed a lovely flight over Peeblesshire and into Midlothian with a landing at my favourite farmer's farm; he's always so supportive of our ballooning endeavours and we're assured of that friendly reception which finished a perfect evening. Best wishes. Pete.
Written 20 May 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nutmeg27
Aberdeen, UK8 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
If you are considering flying in a hot air balloon, do it! If you have decided to fly in one, do it with Alba Ballooning! From start to finish we were treated with the utmost courtesy and care. We were given clear and friendly instructions, both as to how best to help unpack and spread the balloon before it was inflated, as well as how to climb into the basket and what position to adopt on landing. Peter was obviously an experienced and skilful pilot, and he was also a great guide in the air, pointing out landmarks in the countryside spread beneath us, or further in the distance. Once aloft, all was so peaceful, drifting along in the evening air - a never-to-be-forgotten experience! It was harder work to pack the balloon up again, but our fellow crew members were a lovely bunch, and it was a good team-building challenge! It was a nice touch that the champagne was not distributed until we had met up again with our "followers", so that they could join in too. Well worth the wait for the right weather!
Written 30 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for that lovely and informative review and taking the time to write it. Glad that you enjoyed the balloon flight experience, and all the bits associated with it too! Best wishes. Pete and the team!
Written 2 May 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ofek100
Tel Aviv District, Israel24 contributions
Hi
Just wanted to ask about the weather and if you fly it on 6-7 October morning
As well as asking about the price
Sigi
AlbaBallooning
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom5 contributions
Hi. I'm afraid that we aren't taking any new business at this time whilst we focus on flying our existing customers. Please see our website for all details. Thank you. Kind regards. Pete.