Terms and Conditions
Payment
Prices include heating and linen etc (see further details here)
A non-refundable deposit of £150 is required to confirm your booking.
The full balance is due one month prior to arrival. If for any reason you need to cancel your booking within one month prior to your booking start date, I will refund your balance only if we are able to relet the property and would recommend you take out a standard holiday insurance.
Arrival and Departure
Changeover day is Saturday. The normal arrival time is from 4pm. It is useful to know in advance when you plan to arrive. Normal departure time is 10.30am.
Environmental policy
Aird Cottage is run in an environmentally friendly way where possible. Extra thick walls, triple-glazing and passive solar gain from large windows mean that the cottage is generally warm. Whilst there is additional oil-fired heating (not so environmentally friendly!) electricity is from a green tariff.
A reasonable level of oil and electric heating are included in the price. Excessive use is charged extra, so please ensure heating is off when you are out and when you leave. The wood-burning stove is extremely effective at heating the house. You are supplied with a starter basket of wood and kindling. Further wood is available at £2 per basket and £3 per kindling bag.
A condensation boiler has been installed for the planned installation of solar panels.
Prices include all linen and towels (except beach towels – please bring your own).
Cleaning
I always ensure that the cottage is clean, tidy and welcoming and ask you to leave it as you find it. The cottage is equipped with a vacuum cleaner, brushes and ecological-cleaning materials for this purpose. Aird Cottage has its own private septic tank. Please use chemicals sparingly and do not flush coffee grounds down the drains.
I try and recycle as much waste as possible and there are recycling containers in the cottage and a recycling point for paper, glass and plastic at the farm entrance.
Breakages
At the time of paying the full balance, a damages deposit cheque of £150 is requested. If in the event of any damage or breakages, apart from normal wear and tear, the item will be replaced at cost. The remainder of the cheque will be returned. Please report all damage and breakages to me.
Water
Aird has a private water supply, a well in the old township of Aird.. Whilst there is usually plenty of water, during drier spells in recent years, the supply has once or twice been low (It has not dried up to date!). After dry spells, please do not run water un-necessarily (eg running tap when cleaning teeth). Extra water will be made available from an alternative storage tank should it become low.
This is delicious pure spring water and good for drinking and is well-filtered (some people bottle it and take it away!). Whilst there has not been any problems with the water, some people more used to chemically treated water, may wish to boil the water before drinking or use bottled water.
Other facilities
There is some mobile phone reception, mainly vodaphone in certain places in the house. Other networks are only available on top of the neighbouring hill! You may use the house telephone, please leave payment. There is currently no broadband, although this will be available soon. There is wi-fi available at the nearby bistro/ restaurant.
The cottage has a child cot and highchair.
Aird Cottage is a non-smoking property, although you may smoke on the deck. Please dispose of cigarette ends carefully.
Pets
You may bring well-behaved pets. I charge £20 per week per dog (due to increased cleaning costs and for future guests who may have allergies). Please do not allow dogs on furniture. Please bring all bedding and do not leave unattended in the cottage. As Croig farm has livestock – sheep, and occasionally cattle, your dog must be kept under control at all times, and especially during lambing time April-June.
Entry to cottage
Very occasionally it may be necessary to gain entry to the cottage during the week to allow tradesmen to carry out urgent repairs. I will try and avoid this, but should it be necessary, as much advance notice will be given as possible to minimise inconvenience.