1. Booking & Payment

• A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total booking cost is required at the time of reservation.
• Bookings made within 8 weeks of arrival may require payment in full at the time of booking.
• The full balance for all bookings must be paid no later than 8 weeks prior to arrival.

2. Good Housekeeping & Damage Deposit

• A £150 good housekeeping and damage deposit is required prior to arrival.
• This will be taken as a pre-authorisation via the Stripe secure payment gateway.
• The deposit will be released once departure checks have been completed and no damage, loss, or excessive cleaning is identified.

3. Cancellations & Refunds

• Cancellations made within 60 days of arrival will result in the forfeiture of all monies paid, unless the lodge is successfully re-let.
• Deposit payments are non-refundable, except in the circumstances outlined below.
• Where a refund is offered, Uist Forest Retreat reserves the right to retain an administration and banking fee of £40, which may vary depending on length of stay and third-party provider charges.

4. Full refunds will be issued if:

• Uist Forest Retreat is required to close due to Government-imposed restrictions, and the closure period covers your booking.
• Your home address is subject to Government-issued travel restrictions that prevent travel for the duration of your booking.
• The Retreat is required to close due to Force Majeure, including but not limited to: Natural disasters or extreme weather events, Epidemic or pandemic, Acts of terrorism, war, civil unrest, Nuclear, chemical, or biological contamination, Government action, legal restriction, or failure to grant permissions, Fire, explosion, structural damage, or accident

5. Travel disruption or disinclination to travel

• Delays with public transport, including plane and ferry services do not give rise to a right to cancel or to receive a refund unless we re-let the property.

• Where a ferry sailing scheduled for the day of arrival is cancelled due to adverse weather only, and this results in arrival on the day after the scheduled arrival date, the cost of one night’s accommodation will be reimbursed. No further recompense will be made. Disinclination to travel is not included.

• Inability or decision not to travel for reasons including (but not limited to) illness (including Covid), self-isolation or quarantine, shielding, jury service, military service, incarceration, changes in personal or work circumstances, family emergencies, vehicle breakdown, or public transport delays remain the guest’s responsibility. These circumstances do not give rise to a right to cancel or receive a refund unless the lodge is re-let.

• Guests are strongly advised to plan travel carefully and take out UK travel insurance. Guests choosing not to take out UK travel insurance accept responsibility for any resulting loss.

6. Occupancy & Use of the Lodges

• Each lodge is available for a maximum of two adults only (18+).
• Each lodge has one bedroom with a king-size bed.
• The lodges are not suitable for infants, and there is insufficient space for a cot.
• We reserve the right to refuse a booking or remove a guest or guests due to unreasonable behaviour, damage, or exceeding stated occupancy. Any refund in such circumstances will be at the discretion of the owners.

7. Arrival & Departure

• Check-in: from 4:00pm on the day of arrival
• Check-out: no later than 10:00am on the day of departure
• The wood-burning stove must not be lit on the day of departure to allow cleaning during changeover.

8. Care of the Lodge

• Lodges must be left in a clean and tidy condition, as found.
• Breakages or damage will be deducted from the good housekeeping deposit.
• A £50 cleaning charge will be retained if the lodge is left unclean or untidy.

9. Smoking, Fires & BBQs

• No smoking is permitted inside the lodges.
• Ashtrays are provided for outdoor use and must be used at all times. Cigarette ends must not be disposed of on the ground, heather, or heath.
• No external fires or BBQs are permitted.

10. Pets

• Pets are welcome when guests agree to the terms and conditions for bringing a pet upon making the booking.

11. Right of Entry

• We reserve the right of entry to the lodges at all reasonable times for inspection, maintenance, or repairs.

12. Liability

• No liability is accepted for loss, damage, or theft of personal belongings belonging to guests, whether in the lodges, vehicles, or elsewhere on the property.

13. Access & Vehicles

• Access is via a forestry track approximately 500 metres in length.
• A 10mph speed limit applies at all times.
• Vehicles are used on the track and parked entirely at the owner’s risk.

14. Tariff & Inclusions

Prices include:

• Electricity
• Bed linen, towels
• Logs for the wood-burning stove
• Welcome pack
• Wi-Fi
• Disruption to Wi-Fi or utilities does not give rise to compensation

15. Electric Vehicles

• We do not offer facilities for charging electric vehicles.
• Domestic sockets must not be used for EV charging.
• Guests are liable for any damage or loss arising from unauthorised use.
• Nearby public charging points include:
  
  • Lochmaddy Port (near Lochmaddy Hotel)
  • Claddach Kirkibost Centre (beside Oystercatcher Bakery)

16. Wood-Burning Stove

• The stove must only be used by guests who are competent to do so and who have fully read and understood the instructions provided.
• Only wood supplied by Uist Forest Retreat may be used.
• Correct use typically results in a basket of logs lasting 3–7 days, depending on weather conditions.
• Excessive or incorrect use may present a safety or insurance risk and may result in immediate termination of the stay without refund.

17. Damages, Maintenance & Complaints

• Any concerns or faults, damages or breakages, must be reported as soon as possible during your stay.
• We will always do our best to address any concerns or faults as soon as possible. Due to the limited hire period, repairs may not always be possible during your stay.
• Complaints raised after departure will not be accepted.

18. Guest Communications & Privacy

• We use WhatsApp, email, Touch Stay, MailChimp, and Beds24 for guest communications.
• By booking, you confirm that you have read and accepted our Privacy Policy and GDPR practices.

19. Unforeseen Circumstances

• If a lodge becomes unavailable due to damage or other unforeseen circumstances, we reserve the right to cancel the booking.
• Any payments received will be refunded in full, and no further liability will be accepted.
• Guests are strongly advised to hold adequate travel insurance.

Scottish Government Short-Term Let Licensing

• Licence Number: ES00729P
• Maximum Occupancy: 2 adults only per lodge