Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions for booking your holiday at the Poachers Hut can be found below. Please ensure you have read them carefully, as by booking you are confirming that you have read, understand and accept them.  If you wish to clarify any of these terms, please contact us on 07891 150127.

General

This is a legally binding contract between the property owner, Lorna Greening, and the guest. The property owner is also referred to as “we” “us” “our”.  The property referred to as being “Poachers Hut”.  The guest is the person who completes the online booking and makes the online payment. This person is responsible for ensuring all members of the holiday party accept and adhere to these Terms & Conditions. The guest is also referred to as “you”.

Bookings

We operate a minimum two night stay on all bookings throughout the year.  A deposit of the first night’s cost is required at the time of booking.  The balance for your stay is payable 21 days prior to the start date of your holiday and an email with a payment link will be sent to you.  Full payment is required for bookings made within 21 days of arrival.  A refundable security/damage deposit of £250 will be held on the card you used for your stay and will be refunded in full one day after departure if there is no damage.  Any damage/replacement costs will be deducted from this deposit however are not limited to the deposit amount.

Cancellations

We appreciate that unforeseen circumstances and events beyond your control may force you to change your plans.  In the event of adverse weather or breakdown causing you to cancel your booking, we are in no way responsible for any losses so incurred.  Once a booking is confirmed the guest is responsible for the total cost of the holiday.  We therefore recommend that you take out holiday cancellation insurance.  In the event of a cancellation the guest must advise us immediately.  If the booking is cancelled within 21 days of arrival, i.e. after full payment has been made, we will endeavour to relet the Poachers Hut.  If we are successful in reletting the Poachers Hut we will refund you any monies paid less an admin fee of £25.  If the reletting is done at a discounted price, this discount will be deducted from any monies refunded.  If unsuccessful in reletting, the guest will not be due any refund.

The property owner will endeavour to make sure the stated property is available for the dates contracted.  In the unlikely event the property becomes unavailable and the property owner needs to cancel the booking, the property owner will attempt to find the guest suitable alternative accommodation. If suitable alternative accommodation cannot be found, the guest shall be entitled to a full refund.  The property owner shall only be liable to return the monies received to that date, no compensation or consequential losses shall be paid.

Miscellaneous

Whilst every care is taken to provide a true and accurate description of the property, over time alterations are made and some things do change. The guest accepts that no refunds are available for such discrepancies.

The property owner reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone, who in the property owner’s opinion is not suitable to or capable of taking charge of the property.

The property owner reserves the right to enter the property, at a reasonable time, in the event of an emergency or if remedial repair work is required, and with prior notice for the purpose of maintenance and an inspection if necessary.

The property owner is entitled to and reserves the right to ask the guest and their party to leave the property, without refund, should the behaviour of the guest and/or their party be considered by the property owner to be unreasonable or unacceptable.

Number of Guests

The maximum number of people entitled to stay at this property is two guests, and furthermore, only those people named on the booking form are entitled to stay, and any unauthorised persons will be ordered off the premises.  If it is found that more people than agreed are using the property, this will be considered a breach of contract and the guest and their party will be asked to leave immediately without a refund.  Sub-letting or assignation of the let is strictly prohibited.

The Hot Tub
For your safety and enjoyment there are strict rules and guidelines that must be adhered to when using the hot tub. By agreeing to these Terms & Conditions you are also agreeing to abide by the separate Hot Tub Safety document and understand that it is your own liability to ensure that all occupants adhere to the safety requirements. This document is available in the guest information folder in the shepherds hut and is emailed to you prior to your stay.   The hot tub water will be tested every day by the property owner.  The hot tub must not be used in high winds due to danger of injury, drowning or damage.  No fake tan or glass in the hot tub or candles on the edge of the hot tub.  Any damage will be charged.  The hot tub may not be up to temperature at check-in.

Children and Pets
Unfortunately, the Poachers Hut does not cater for children under the age of sixteen.  Due to the surrounding wildlife and our livestock and pets, Poachers Hut does not accept pets.  Bringing a pet without prior agreement with us, will be considered a breach of contract and the guest and their party will be asked to leave immediately without a refund.

Arrival and Departure
The booking is from 3pm or 4pm (via OTA) on the day of arrival until 10am on the day of departure.  Timings on short breaks and winter bookings can be flexible with prior agreement being made with the owner.   Information about keys and how to collect them will be provided once full payment of your booking has been received.  Due to the impact that late departures have on the cleaners and changeover activities, there is a charge of £60 per hour.

Parking and Accessibility

Parking is provided at Keepers Cottage.  Please park your car beside the big walk-in Woodstore.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of the accommodation a stay in The Poachers Hut shepherds hut is not suitable for wheelchair users or the infirm. The shepherd’s hut is located across a field with uneven surfaces and is raised 1 metre above ground level, with steps to access the inside of the shepherd’s hut.  If you are unsure whether access will be a problem for you then please ask at the time of booking, we are also more than happy to arrange a site visit prior to booking if you are still unsure.  A refund cannot be granted by the property owner upon arrival of the guest if the guest is unable to access the property due to any form of disability or ill health that has not been previously disclosed to the property owner at the time of the booking.

Communication

Most mobile networks have full coverage and good quality free WiFi.  Emergency telephone numbers are in the Welcome Folder in Poachers Hut.

Fire Safety Rules and Information

We want you to feel relaxed and enjoy your stay at Poachers Hut however due to the nature of the hut itself, being made of wood, and the exposed outdoor environment it occupies we ask that you take note of and agree to observe the following rules at all times:

• To be responsible and alert to the risk of fire both inside and outside the hut.
• The hut is equipped with a woodburner, do not at any time leave the hut with the burner lit. The hut also has a fire pit outside for your personal and quiet enjoyment, please do not leave the site without ensuring the fire bowl is safely extinguished.
• Do not burn candles inside the hut. There are LED candles for your use.
• Please do not smoke or vape inside the hut. If you smoke outside then please ensure you extinguish and dispose of cigarettes safely in the Ash Bin provided, not on the ground or anywhere else, thank you.
• Wind exposure can cause fire to spread, please act responsibly. There is a water tap and hose beside the hot tub and emergency numbers are provided on arrival as well as these Fire Safety Rules.

Liability

Please remember you are staying in an environment with native wild birds and wildlife in their natural habitat, please respect this.  There may also be other hazards, some of the equipment can be dangerous if misused, such as the woodburner, fire pit, BBQ, pizza oven and hot tub.  The property owner is not responsible for you at all, for any personal injury, death, damage, direct or indirect, or consequential loss, howsoever caused, arising from, or in connection with any of the facilities provided during your stay at Poachers Hut.  The property owner takes no responsibility for the personal possessions of the guest or their party.  Vehicles and personal possessions are left entirely at the risk of the guest.  The property owner is relieved from liability should the accommodation or any other facilities be unavailable due to circumstances beyond our control.

Breakages and Damage

The guest and their party must make every effort to keep the property, fixtures, fittings and all contents in the same state of repair and condition as at the start of their stay.  Any accidental damage or breakages should be reported to the property owner prior to departure.  The property owner retains the right to make an additional charge and request payment for damage or breakages, withstanding minor breakages or ‘wear and tear’ as decided by the property owner.  The property owner will endeavour to rectify any identified problems as soon as is reasonably possible.

Guests are asked to leave Poachers Hut clean and tidy when vacating.  Guests are also asked to give consideration to our neighbours, although distant, and not to cause any nuisance or annoyance. We ask guests not to use the hot tub if wearing fake tan as it damages the filters which are very expensive.  The property owner retains the right to make an additional charge for filter damage.

Charging of EVs and e-Bikes

There is no EV charging available at the shepherds hut or parking area.  The closest charging is at Aberfoyle, six miles away.   Due to fire risks, e-bike batteries cannot be charged in the shepherds hut however they may be charged in the big woodstore using a battery charging safe bag (not provided).

Force Majeure

We shall not be liable to you for any delay or failure of performance of our obligations under these Terms & Conditions arising from any cause beyond our reasonable control, including and not exclusively any of the following: act of god, governmental act, war, fire, flood, storm, explosion or civil commotion, failure in information technology or telecommunications services, failure of a third party (including failure to supply data) and industrial action.

Complaints

Any complaints must be made known to the property owner immediately and without hesitation, whereupon the property owner will endeavour to resolve any issues that may have arisen. No complaints will be entertained at the end of the hiring period or after the guest has departed.

Declaration

I have read the Terms & Conditions of this booking and agree on behalf of all members of my party to abide by those conditions during my stay at the Poachers Hut.  I understand that the balance must be paid 21 days before the start of my holiday and failure to do so may result in cancellation of my booking and as a consequence my deposit not being refunded.   I am twenty three years of age or over.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             July 2024