Is there a minimum stay?

• Yes, two nights is the minimum period of stay at the pods. This is to allow us enough time to clean and maintain the pod and hot tub to the highest standard we can.

How can I change my booking?

• Any requests to change bookings can be emailed to us at [email protected] – we will always try our hardest to accommodate your needs where we can.

What time can I check in ?

• You can gain access to the pod from 3pm onwards.

What time do I need to check out ?

• We would like you to have left the pod by 10am

Do I have to pre-pay for my stay?

• Yes, our policy is payment in full at the time of booking
  

Do I have to pay a security deposit?

• There is no security deposit required but please report any breakages so we can attend to any damage as soon as possible.

What happens if I need to cancel?

• We are unable to refund cancelled bookings less than 28 days prior to arrival . We strongly advise you to take out the appropriate travel insurance so you can have peace of mind that your costs will be covered, should you need to cancel your stay for any reason outwith this period.
  

How can I pay online?

• We use safe online system, Sage Pay, which accepts all major credit and debit cards.
  

Do you take group bookings?

• We are happy to accommodate your needs wherever possible and if you would like to hire the whole site please let us know by email and we can discuss a special deal. We would like to discourage larger parties for hen/stags; as there is no communal area for a group to congregate, we do not feel the site is an appropriate venue for these activities.

Do I have to clean the pod before I leave?

• The pods are fully serviced to a high standard by cleaners before your arrival. We appreciate guests who keep the kitchen area clean and tidy during their stay. The kitchen ware should be cleaned after use for the next guests to use, and bins emptied during your stay.
  

Do you provide towels and bedding?

• One bath and one hand towel per person will be provided, but you may wish to bring extra towels for using the hot tub. All bedding required for your party is provided and changed between each stay.
  

Can you provide cots and high chairs?

• We have travel high chairs which clip on to the dining chairs in your pod. Please let us know if you need one in advance and we can provide it. We do not have travel cots, but should you wish to take your own there is plenty of room in the pod for this.
  

How is the pod heated?

• There is electric heating to keep your pod comfortably warm. This is included in the price per night, there will be no additional costs for heating.
  

Is there Wifi provided?

• Yes the pods have free dedicated Wifi. Please note that this is adequate for occasional use e.g checking emails, but we do live in a countryside area and hence do not have superfast broadband speeds for downloads and streaming. We are serviced very well with 4G which provides good speeds also.
  

What will I do if I damage or break something?

• Please report any breakages to us at your earliest convenience. Where appropriate you may be asked to pay to the replacement cost of the item.
  The pod will be in a clean condition on your arrival and we would very much appreciate it to be left in a similar condition. We may need to charge for additional cleaning if the pod has not been left in an acceptable condition.
  

Can I cook in the pods?

• Yes, each pod is very well equipped with a 2 ring ceramic hob, oven, microwave and basic trays, pots, dishes and utensils, so we can accommodate you cooking a proper meal.
  

Are toiletries provided?

• There will be a luxury handwash and hair and body wash supplied in the en suite.
  

What kitchen supplies will be provided?

• There will be a basic cleaning kit of sponge, washing liquid, bin liners to get you started and allow you to keep your dishes under control.

Where can I park my car?

• Each pod has its own private car parking area adjacent.

Do you take dogs?

• We will accommodate one well behaved dog – please see our PETS POLICY

Can I have a barbecue?

• Yes, each pod has its own private BBQ area next to the outdoor seating area. If you would like to use this, we would appreciate if you could clean it after use.
  

Can I light a fire?

• Yes, each pod has its own private BBQ area next to the outdoor seating area. If you would like to use this, we would appreciate if you could clean it after use.

What is the mobile phone reception like?

• There is 4G available and mobile phone reception is normally good.
  

Can I do laundry?

• All bed linen and towels are provided and laundered before your arrival. Should you wish to launder clothes, there is a good laundrette available in Thurso (4 miles)

Can I book more than one pod?

• Should you wish to book more than one pod we will try and place you near each other on the site where availability allows. The pods are very well suited to small family groups.
  

Are there noise restrictions?

• We ask you to observe good manners towards the other residents in Braeside Retreats during your visit. Please be considerate to others and keep the noise levels to a minimum to respect this peaceful site. This is particularly appropriate to stress when using the outdoor areas and communal areas where your behaviour can impact on others, especially if young children are staying.

Is there wheelchair access?

• Unfortunately we cannot accommodate wheelchair users easily as the site is in the country and hence can be rugged. There is a step up to the pod, and inside is not of adequate floor space to accommodate wheelchairs easily.

Is there a smoking policy?

• There is a strict no smoking policy within the pod and the communal areas.

Where do I take my rubbish?

• There are allocated refuge bins at the entrance to the site, both for recycling and general waste. We ask you to empty the small bins within the pods to this point. In addition there will be a small dog waste bin located on site for the disposal of dog waste only.
  

Is there a minimum stay?

• We have changeover days of Fridays and Mondays. You can stay for example Monday to Friday (4 nights) Friday to Monday (3 night weekend) or Monday- Monday (7 nights) or Friday - Friday (7 nights). If you wish to stay different days, please email [email protected] and we will try to accommodate this where possible.

How can I change my booking?

• Any requests to change bookings can be emailed to us at [email protected] – we will always try our hardest to accommodate your needs where we can.

What time can I check in ?

• You can gain access to the houses from 4pm

What time do I need to check out ?

• We would like you to have left the house by 11am

Do I need to pre-pay my stay?

• We ask for a 25% deposit at the time of booking and the balance 7 days before arrival

Do I have to pay a security deposit?

• There is no security deposit required but please report any breakages so we can attend to any damage as soon as possible.

What happens if I need to cancel?

• We are unable to refund cancelled bookings less than 28 days prior to arrival . We strongly advise you to take out the appropriate travel insurance so you can have peace of mind that your costs will be covered, should you need to cancel your stay for any reason out with this period.

How can I pay online?

• We use safe online system, Sage Pay, which accepts all major credit and debit cards.

Do you take group bookings?

• We are happy to accommodate your needs wherever possible and if you would like to hire both houses (which are only 200m apart) we can discuss special rates.

Do you take stag and hen parties?

• We are happy to accept these parties, the houses are the ideal place for celebrations and have larger communal areas for socialising. There are no near neighbours so there are no restrictions on noise but should there be any damage to the property, charges will be made accordingly to replace broken items.

Do I have to clean the house before I leave?

• The houses are fully serviced to a high standard by cleaners before your arrival. We appreciate guests who keep the kitchen area and the rest of the houseclean and tidy during their stay. The kitchen ware should be cleaned after use for the next guests to use, and bins emptied during your stay.

Do you provide towels and bedding?

• One bath and one hand towel per person will be provided, plus an extra towel for the hot tub, but you may wish to bring additional towels for using the hot tub if you are going in and out multiple times. All bedding required for your party is provided and changed between each stay.

Can you provide cots and high chairs?

• We can supply a high chair and travel cot if requested in advance.
  

How is the house heated?

• There is an oil boiler system in the house, which is on a timer. Please do not try and change the settings. If you feel like the settings need altered to suit your needs, please let us know ASAP and we can do this for you. There is additional heat provided by a log burning stove in the lounge. Fire lighters, matches and logs are supplied to get you started but if you have the fire on multiple times you may need to stock up on kindling, firelighters etc.
  There are 2 feature fireplaces in the sitting area open to the kitchen, and in the dining room, both of which are currently not functional. Please do not try to light these.

Is there Wifi provided?

• Yes there free dedicated Wifi. Please note that this is adequate for occasional use e.g checking emails, but we do live in a countryside area and hence do not have superfast broadband speeds for downloads and streaming. We are serviced very well with 4G which provides good speeds also.

What will I do if I damage or break something?

• Please report any breakages to us at your earliest convenience. Where appropriate you may be asked to pay to the replacement cost of the item.
  The pod will be in a clean condition on your arrival and we would very much appreciate it to be left in a similar condition. We may need to charge for additional cleaning if the house has not been left in an acceptable condition.

Can I cook in the house?

• Yes, the house is very well equipped with cooking appliances and utensils. If you would like the details of a private chef who could prepare a meal for a special occasion, please let us know

Are toiletries provided?

• There will be a luxury handwash supplied at each sink.

What kitchen supplies will be provided?

• There will be a basic cleaning kit of sponge, washing liquid, bin liners to get you started and allow you to keep your dishes under control.

Where can I park my car?

• Each house has a large car parking area adjacent to the house. There is parking for up to 3 cars at The Shepherd's Rest and for up to 6 cars at The Herdsman's House

Do you take dogs?

• We will accommodate well behaved dogs. Both properties have enclosed gardens in which it is fine to let your dog off lead to play and toilet. All dog waste must be picked up immediately and disposed of appropriately. If there is stock in the fields surrounding the houses, we advise you to be very vigilant and keep your dogs on the lead when walking past. Worrying of sheep and cattle will not be tolerated.

Can I have a barbecue?

• Yes, each house has a BBQ available to use during the Summer months. If you would like to use this, we would appreciate if you could clean it after use. There is an outside seating area at each house which is ideal for al fresco dining.

What is the mobile phone reception like?

• There is 4G available and mobile phone reception is normally good.

Can I do laundry?

• All bed linen and towels are provided and laundered before your arrival. Should you wish to launder clothes and towels, each house has a washing machine.

Can I book more than one house?

• Should you wish to book both houses together to sleep up to 18 people, we are happy to give a special rate. Please contact us by phone on 07935225260 or email [email protected]

Are there noise restrictions?

• Both houses are private and relatively isolated so there are no immediate worries about creating too much noise.

Is there wheelchair access?

• Unfortunately we cannot accommodate wheelchair users easily as the area is in the country and hence can be rugged. Both properties have stones on the driveway which are not suitable to wheelchairs to be easily manoeuvred. However, once inside the houses, they do both have ground floor en-suite bedrooms which is handy for those with mobility issues.

Is there a smoking policy?

• There is a strict no smoking policy within the houses

Where do I take my rubbish?

• There are allocated refuge bins at the end of the farm road leading to the houses. We would be grateful if you would deposit rubbish in there when heading out for the day or when checking out. The bins are separated into recycling and general waste (landfill)