ACCOMMODATION

Covid-19 Booking Guarantee Terms

In light of the current situation, we have updated our booking terms to give you more flexibility and reassurance.

The following terms apply under our Covid-19 Booking Guarantee. These terms apply to individual bookings in our apartments. This policy supersedes our standard cancellation policy which is usually in place. All other Terms and Conditions relating to accommodation at Thirlestane Castle are unchanged.

Our Covid-19 Booking Guarantee Terms will be in place as long as COVID-19 continues to result in travel restrictions from the Scottish or UK Government.

20% flexible deposit

As part of our guarantee, we require a 20% deposit at the time of booking. This deposit is flexible in that if your stay cannot go ahead for reasons relating to COVID-19, we are happy to transfer the deposit to a new date. This means you will not miss out should the Scottish or UK Government guidance prevent you from coming to stay at Thirlestane Castle on your original dates of choice.

Balance Payment 31 days before stay
A balance payment for the full amount will be due 31 days before your booking starts while Covid-19 continues to disrupt travel and cause uncertainty. If the situation is still not clear at that point (e.g. the Scottish Government or the UK Government is due to make a new announcement), we will be happy to defer this payment for a few more days, including right up to 7 days before date of arrival if needed. None of our guests will have to pay a balance for a holiday which is not guaranteed to go ahead. We will refer to Scottish Government guidance in making decisions about whether stays can go ahead.

*Please note – bookings made within 31 days of the arrival date are required to pay the full stay amount at the time of booking, however 20% of this cost will be treated as a deposit, and your booking will still be treated in line with each term in our Covid-19 Booking Guarantee.

Flexible Re-booking Policy
In the event of cancellation due to either the Scottish or UK Government’s Coronavirus restrictions, or if you are self-isolating, you will have the flexibility to move the booking to alternative available dates within 12 months of the start date of your planned stay. There will be no additional charges, but if there is a difference in price (e.g. you move from an off-peak booking time to a peak booking time) the difference will be payable by you. This “Flexible Rebooking Policy” is only available for cancellations related to Covid-19 restrictions, and is not available for cancellations relating to any other reason.

Cancellations
We are not able to offer deposit refunds, however, we are able to offer deposit transfers to new dates.
If you fail to pay your balance 31 days prior to your booking start date, and you haven’t got in touch with us to discuss the situation, the deposit may be deemed to be forfeited by us and the booking cancelled. In such an event the flexible rebooking policy will no longer apply.

Insurance
Whether travelling from abroad or within the UK, we always recommend to our guests to take out holiday insurance.

GUIDED TOURS & AFTERNOON TEAS

If you need to cancel your guided tour booking or your afternoon tea booking then please call or email the castle office.
Cancellations received 48+ hours in advance of booking time will receive a full refund.

*Group tours have a separate cancellation policy. Please email enquiries@thirlestanecastle.co.uk.

GIFT AID ANNUAL PASSES

• Valid for 12 months from date of issue
• Not valid on special event days
• Only valid on days and times the castle is open to visitors
• Must be shown on subsequent visits to gain entry
• Non-transferrable. Only to be used by person named on the card
• Discounts cannot be used when getting an annual pass.

Updated: Wednesday 14 April 2021.