General

The properties featured are offered for self-catering let on a weekly basis, usually Saturday to Saturday ( 4 pm on the date of arrival to 10 am on the date of departure) unless otherwise stated, subject to the Hiring Terms and Conditions. Please note that the prices are correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change and do not necessarily imply availability.

Booking your Holiday
To book a property, use the availability and pricing link at the bottom of each cottage page. This will show you all available dates for that particular cottage. Once you have decided on a property which is available, you can use the online secure booking facility to book it. You can choose to pay online or alternatively we will hold on to a booking for you for up to five days until we receive your payment. If you prefer, contact our booking line staff on +44 (0)1738 451610 who will be happy to help you choose the right cottage for you.

NOTE: You may also book a property by phoning or faxing us at the number above.

Holiday Protection

As soon as you make your initial payment you automatically receive Cottages and Castles Holiday Protection Scheme cover UNLESS you book one of our larger properties or castles that is referenced with a P property code. Holiday Protection Cover is not included in these bookings. We can recommend an insurance underwriter to you for holidays at these properties. Details of the Cottages and Castles Holiday Protection Scheme are laid out later.

Good Housekeeping

In some cases, owners ask for a Good Housekeeping Deposit prior to the commencement of each holiday. This is returnable to the hirer less the cost of making good any damage or loss to the property or for excessive cleaning found necessary following the period of occupation. The amount of such deposit if required is shown with the letters DS beside the rent. This amount is payable with the balance of rent.

Paying for your holiday

We have tried to make paying for your holiday as simple as possible. The initial payment is 30% of the total hire charge and may be paid by cheque, cash, credit card (Mastercard/Visa) or debit card (Switch, Delta etc). The balance is payable no later than six weeks prior to commencement of the holiday. If you are booking within six weeks of the start of your holiday, payment in full is required with your booking form. An Information Sheet, including directions and key instructions, is issued on receipt of the final payment. Hire charges include VAT where applicable and holiday protection cover, where applicable.

Booking from Overseas

Overseas visitors are most welcome and because of the difficulties distance can impose we allow up to seven days for bookings to be confirmed from the date a telephone reservation is made. However, we require payment of the balance of charges EIGHT weeks prior to the commencement of the holiday.

Payments from overseas should be made by credit card, (Mastercard and Visa), debit card, sterling travellers cheques or an international money order in Sterling . Any bank charges incurred will be payable by the hirer. Please note that our holiday protection scheme covers persons resident in the UK, EU countries, North America, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

England for Runaways

Customers booking through our agent in Germany , England for Runaways , will adhere to its booking and payment terms and conditions.

Cancellations

Please note that, once a booking has been confirmed, you are liable for the whole cost of the holiday. However, if the reason for cancellation is not covered by our Holiday Protection Cover, (see Holiday Protection Scheme) we will, in any event, endeavour to re-let the property and, if successful, we will make a full refund, less an administration charge of £55 (inclusive of VAT). Accordingly, it is important that cancellations are intimated to us by telephone followed by immediate written confirmation.

Equipment

Each property is furnished and equipped to cater for the stated permitted occupancy and includes pots and pans, crockery, cutlery, iron and ironing board. Major items of domestic equipment are listed in individual property details. Details are thought to be correct at the time of going to press. However if any items are of particular importance, eg dishwasher, microwave, video, please check with us beforehand.

In certain areas TV channel choice and reception may be poor. Some properties have baths only. If no shower is mentioned it means there is no shower at the property, not even over the bath.

Water supplies

In many areas of rural Scotland water is by private supply which comes from peaty grounds and, even when it comes from a mains supply, can be very brown. This is especially noticeable after heavy rainfall. Although unsightly, we believe it is safe to drink. However, for peace of mind you may prefer to boil water for drinking or purchase bottled water.

Pets

Unless otherwise stated, pets are welcome at a supplement of £10 per week and details must be supplied on the booking form. Normally only one pet will be allowed and must be kept under strict control at all times.

Smoking

Some of our owners operate a strict no smoking policy. Where we state ‘no smoking' or the no smoking symbol is used, there must be no smoking inside a property. In those properties where smoking is permitted, this is in public rooms only and smoking is strictly prohibited in bedrooms.

Linen

All properties are supplied with pillows and duvets or blankets but in some cases not linen. Unless otherwise stated, guests must bring their own duvet covers, sheets, pillowcases, towels and tea towels.

Cleaning

All properties are cleaned thoroughly between each let. However, as only a limited period of time is available to clean properties, it is a condition of your let that you leave the property and its contents clean and tidy.

Short Breaks

Many of our properties accept short breaks. These can be reserved during off-season and taken at last minute at all other times. Please telephone for availability.

Complaints

It is important to the property owner and CKD Galbraith that holidaymakers enjoy their holiday and every effort has been made to ensure this. However, in the unlikely event of dissatisfaction with the property or any subsequent problem, the holidaymaker must immediately contact the owner or caretaker/keyholder so that the opportunity to rectify the problem is given. Under no circumstances will any refund be considered if the property owner/caretaker has not been given the opportunity to rectify any problems during the Hirer's let. 

HOLIDAY PROTECTION SCHEME

Cottages & Castles (acting as agents for property owners) provides a guarantee for tenants who have to cancel their holiday at a cottage.

If it is necessary to cancel your holiday, for any of the reasons A 1-5 below, you may do so at any time up until the close of business on the last working day before your tenancy commences and we will refund your balance. Your deposit is not refundable. If you have made a late booking and paid in full you will receive your payment minus the normal deposit sum (usually 30%).

There is no charge for this holiday protection – it is included in the cost of your holiday. Please note that the protection does not apply to holidays in our properties with codes beginning with P (usually castles, mansions and lodges).

Deposits may be transferred to a different date for a holiday at the same property within 12 months of the original holiday date, subject to availability, but not, however, for a different property. If the new booking is at a higher rate the tenant must pay the extra cost. No refund will be made if the new date is at a lower rate.

A:

1  Death, accidental bodily injury, or illness (excluding pre-existing or chronic illness/conditions) of:

a) the Proposer and/or persons with whom he/she has arranged to travel, being those named on the booking form.

b) any close relative or business associate of the Proposer or of any person with whom he/she has arranged to travel or arranged to meet at the specified holiday establishment.

2  Jury service, witness call, pregnancy, compulsory quarantine or unemployment through redundancy after the date of booking and prior to the commencement date of the holiday of the Proposer or persons with whom he/she has arranged to travel or arranged to meet at the specified holiday establishment, being those named on the booking form, occurring after the effective date of this insurance.

3  Fire or theft which is the subject of an insurance claim at the Insured's main residence or business premises within seven days before commencement of the holiday.

4  Occupational postings not contemplated at the time the holiday is booked.

5  Cancellation or curtailment of scheduled transport services due to strikes, riots or civil commotion, but limited to the cost of alternative transport up to £50 per person for the outward journey only.

But not , however:

B:

1  Disinclination to travel.

2  Failure of public or private transport.

3  Suicide, attempted suicide, insanity, the influence of intoxicating liquor or the effect of drugs not taken in accordance with treatment prescribed and directed by a qualified medical practitioner or booking a holiday which is or would be against the advice of a registered medical practitioner.

4  Pregnancy unless occurring after the inception of the insurance.

5  Any loss which is otherwise insured.

6  Holiday accommodation booked outside Great Britain , Northern Ireland , Isle of Man and the Channel Islands .

7  Holiday accommodation booked by any person living outside Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, EU countries, North America, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

This guarantee is exclusive to Cottages & Castles. It does not constitute an insurance policy, nor is the scheme underwritten by an insurance company. We recommend that you approach your own insurance company if you wish to insure against the points above, loss or injury while on holiday or loss of your deposit. Once a deposit has been received your booking is covered by our guarantee. This guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions on our website and may be amended at any time.

If you wish to cancel your holiday please telephone Cottages and Castles immediately on 01463 224707 / 226990 during office hours, 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.

HIRING TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1  Cottages & Castles Ltd act only as agents for the owners of properties featured in this brochure. The hiring contract is between the Hirer and the owner.

2  The receipt of a signed booking form and initial payment by the agency is treated as a firm booking and, if accepted, the Hirer becomes liable for the full balance of charges which are payable six weeks prior to the commencement date of the holiday. Non-payment of the balance of hire charges by the due date will result in the agency treating the property as being available for re-booking.

3  If the Hirer cancels a confirmed booking he/she remains liable for payment of the full cost of the holiday. Upon receipt of written confirmation of the cancellation from the Hirer, the Agency will endeavour to re-let the property and if successful will make a full refund to the Hirer less an administration fee of £55 (inclusive of VAT) and any other expenses incurred in re-letting.

4  The number of persons occupying a property must not exceed the maximum occupancy level stated in the brochure. Owners reserve the right to terminate occupancy of the property without notice or refund in the case of a breach of this condition.

5  The Hirer is responsible for the condition of the property and its entire contents during the hire period, fair wear and tear excepted. The Hirer will make good any damage or loss and leave the property and contents in a clean and tidy condition. The person held to be responsible for the hiring party will be the person who signed the booking form.

6  Owners reserve the right to decline to hand over properties to any person or persons who, in their opinion, is not suitable to take charge. In such cases, hire charges shall be refunded in full and the liability of the owner shall cease. If an owner is prevented, because of circumstances outwith his control, (e.g. fire damage, drought or the interruption of utility supplies), from putting his property at the disposal of the Hirer, the hire charge shall be refunded in full but the Hirer shall have no further claim against the owner.

7  Specific conditions and restrictions applying to certain properties (e.g. damage surety deposits, restrictions on pets, young children etc) will be mentioned in individual property descriptions and will be deemed to form part of these Hiring Terms and Conditions.

8  The contract effected between the Hirer and the owner of the property is in terms of Schedule 4 Section 8 of the Housing ( Scotland ) Act 1988 and confers on the Hirer the right to occupy the property for the period agreed for holiday purposes only.

9  Cottages & Castles Ltd have taken every care to ensure the accuracy of property descriptions and all information is given in good faith and believed correct at the time of publication, but they cannot be held responsible for changes beyond their control or be liable for any act, neglect or default on the part of the owner resulting in any loss, injury or accident caused to the hirer.

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