Terms & Conditions

PAYMENT INFORMATION

• 50% of the full accommodation price is payable up front to secure a booking. The remaining 50% is required no later than one month prior to the clients stay. In addition a separate breakages deposit bank transfer of £1,500 is required no later than one month prior to the clients stay. Breakages will be re-issued within 4 weeks of departure, if no damage occurs. The house manager will conduct a thorough check after a client’s departure.
• Please note if using the castle for a wedding or a special occasion the deposit payable is increased to £2000 and is also due two months before arrival.
• For weddings in addition to the accommodation charge clients must pay £1000 to use the castle as a wedding venue.
• Bank transfer to current account for accommodation and any extra package payments (use your name as a reference). Breakages deposit goes to a separate breakages account. Please email enquiries@fortercastle.co.uk for bank information.
• Forter Castle also has a pay pal account but due to charges have to add 4% to the actual value being transferred if you wish to use this payment method. Please use this link to make payment using your name as a reference paypal.me/ForterCastle.

CANCELLATION & EXTRA FEES

• 25% of your deposit is refunded if six months’ cancellation notice is given prior to your arrival date after this time no refund is given.
• Any supplementary/extra packages booked by Forter castle needs a 50% deposit on the total amount and the remaining 50% one month prior to check in.
• No refund is given on extras as we have external suppliers who are booked and paid in full on confirmation.
• If checking in/out on unusual days/times a surcharge of £250 is applicable.
• £250 will automatically be deducted from the deposit if the castle is not left reasonably clean and tidy, this includes washing up all your dishes, cups, cutlery and putting back into cupboards.
• If any items of furniture, accessories etc. are moved around please return to where they were moved from. If we cannot locate items they will be assumed missing/broken and the cost to replace them will be taken from your breakages deposit.
• £100 per dog per stay is applied up to three well trained dogs are allowed.
•  If you decide to use a commercial catering provider we charge £250 extra to use our kitchen facilities to account for ware/tare and extra energy use.
• An extra £500 needs to be added onto your breakages deposit when not using Forter approved suppliers. These suppliers must provide relevant insurance documentation and written approval from Forter prior to using the castle to provide their services. If this is not adhered to we are not insured and therefore you will lose your breakages deposit in full.
• Log for the fire are charged at £50.

CHECKING IN/OUT

• Bookings are taken Friday 4pm to Friday 10am for a week stay, Monday 4pm to Friday 10am for a mid-week stay and Friday 4pm to Monday 10am for long weekends.
• The lead booking person must check in on time or provide clear contact information for the person checking in.
• We cannot normally allow early check-ins or later check-outs unless pre-arranged and agreed in writing with Forter Castle. If we have guests leaving or coming in we must allow plenty of time for the changeover to be thoroughly completed.
• If guests do not check out on time we will fine £250 to cover the changeover team bringing in extra staff to speed up changeover for the next guests arrival.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• The overall accommodation price is for 7 bedrooms that will sleep 12 adults comfortably, we can upon request provide 3 cots for babies and 4 blow up beds suitable for children under 8 years of age.
• The maximum capacity sleeping over at Forter Castle is 16 if this is breached you will be asked to leave with immediate effect and will lose your breakages deposit in full.
• Wi-Fi – please note this works off satellite and over the years is becoming more reliable but sometimes it stops working and we cannot guarantee that it will work during your stay.
• Important to note the castle has been restored as it was from 1560 which means we have limited water supply and as such it is worth noting that hot water can run out if all people staying do not use water supply conscious of this fact.
• A maximum of three well-behaved dogs are allowed at any one time. Do keep the gate shut and your dogs in the grounds. Please do not allow them on the furnishings.
• Absolutely no dogs on beds please.
• Forter castle is self-catered but to access the wedding cupboard and to be fully insured (unless clients cater for themselves) they must use one of Forter Castles pre-approved catering suppliers.
• Only Forter castle catering suppliers are allowed on site and to use the kitchen facility. If you would like to use an alternative catering supplier you must pay an additional £250, gain written permission and pay an extra £500 on top of your existing breakages deposit.
• Do not smoke anywhere in the castle. If this is proven to have happened, your full deposit will be automatically withheld for dry cleaning purposes.
•  Do not use the floodlights unless permission is obtained from the management. The cost to use is £250 per day and if floodlights are found on you will be charged for the duration of stay.
• Helicopters are not allowed to land at or near Forter Castle.
• A maximum of 24 guests are allowed for one off events during the day e.g. weddings, birthday parties etc. we do recommend 12- 16 as being a comfortable number.
• Any groups over 16 require a Portaloo which must be used to avoid a strain on the well.
• For larger groups 24+ we can use the local church but we emphasise that Forter Castle can only host 24 people during any one day event and 16 overnight.
• The main table in the Great Hall seats 16 to seat more you will need to be responsible for renting extra furniture.
• Please do not put cups or glasses onto the antique furniture – please use coasters. Any marks on furniture will be charged.
• We have a special wedding cupboard which is only available to guests using approved Forter castle suppliers or guests that have agreed in writing and paid an extra £500 on top of their breakages deposit.
• Do not tamper with the heating system in the castle or Piggery as this has been set by the electricity board if they have been adjusted a fee of £250 will be taken from your breakages deposit.
• Do not drive or park on the lawn. Parking is restricted to Forter Castle gravel driveway only. You must not park outside of the gates as that land does not belong to Forter castle.
• Please be respectful at all times of the working farm opposite i.e. shut the castle gates at all times and do not disturb the local animals in any way.
• If you or your guest disturb the local animals i.e. sheep, cows and any other livestock you will lose your breakages deposit and potentially you could have a criminal record as it is a serious criminal offence in Scotland.

• Any items, including ornaments, c.d’s, d.v.d’s, games, and kitchen equipment are checked against our inventory.
• If anything is found missing or damaged after your departure, the cost of replacing, as a whole will be charged.
• Fireworks/ lanterns are strictly prohibited from being used while at Forter Castle due to the proximity to the farm, livestock and the damage to the surrounding areas.
• We have one open fire inside Forter Castle which can be lit in the Great Hall only and used at your own risk. No other fires must be made.
• We supply a reasonable amount of wood for the main fire but if you run out you will be responsible and pay the costs to replenish if you wish to do that.
• No fires to be lit in bedrooms under any circumstances.
• We have an outdoor fire pit which can be lit and used at your own risk.
• Bookings cannot be accepted by any person under 21. The person who is named as hiring the property is responsible for actions of all persons entering throughout the duration of the hire period.
• We do not take responsibility of excessive weather conditions causing inability to travel to the Castle.
• Filming of any type at the property is prohibited unless pre-agreed with Forter Castle in writing.
• The owner reserves the right to decline any booking or refuse to hand over the key to any person who has not complied with the booking conditions.
• The person checking in must be the same as the person who signs the terms and conditions and is named on the booking sheet. If not the house manager has the right to refuse entry unless agreed prior to check in with the owner/manager.
• Terms and conditions must be signed and returned prior to checking into Forter Castle.
• Any type of breakages will be charged against your deposit.
• The owner has the right to cancel and issue a refund to any client that does not agree to the terms and conditions as set out.

INCLUSIVE IN RENTAL PRICE

• The castle rent includes heating (under floor & Storage heaters), gas and electricity.
• Logs (will be left in the castle but if you run out you would need to look to replenish from the piggery and will be priced on departure up to £700), fire lighters and matches.
• A fire pit is available in the grounds of Forter Castle but must be used at your own risk.
• Wood for the fire pit is limited to what we provide and if you run out you will need to replenish.

• 3 x hard tail Mountain bikes that can be used at your own risk. Please note that mountain biking is, like all sports, potentially dangerous so please do take care, ensure you wear appropriate safety clothing/helmet. Note that riding any trails or any other route mentioned from Forter Castle is at your own risk. Forter cannot accept responsibility for any accidents that might occur.
• Bed linen.
• Hair dryers.
•  Iron and ironing board.
•  A selection of wellington boots.
• Basic First Aid Kit.