COVID 19.
Please note that we try to keep this updated as regularly as possible, however please contact us if you have concerns not mentioned here. The latest guidelines we have at April 2022 are that the responsibility lies with the consumer to ensure that they have adequate travel insurance cover for cancellation as any cancellation in respect of Covid is to be treated the same way as any cancellation request due to any illness.
Online Bookings
Please always do check the ferry availability before booking. Here’s the link. www.calmac.co.uk is the one website we advise you to keep checking as this controls movements to and from Arran.
Payments for Online Bookings.We have changed the payment arrangements for online bookings to make refunds easier during these Covid-19 times. For online bookings we now require only 20% deposit on booking. Balance payable 4 weeks prior to arrival. This should allow visitors time to ensure they can get ferry tickets before paying their balances. Booking confirmation is sent by email which has a link to pay by card using Stripe or bank transfer, Please note some owners require a Security Bond before access is given ( this may be more for same sex groups). Should there be any damage caused by you, your party or your pet then this will be fully discussed with the owner and an amount agreed. The same also applies to personal belongings left behind. An amount for postage and any expenses incurred by the owner will be discussed with you before any items can be returned.
Owner Direct Bookings.
If you already have a booking with a private owner on our website – a ‘’Contact Owner” booking please do contact the owner with whom you booked as they will have their own Terms & Conditions. We are unable to help you with these bookings.
Electric Vehicles
Please ensure you are aware of the electric vehicle charging points on Arran. This website will help you. Input our postcode KA27 for Arran. We suggest you also input Ardrossan, the harbour departure point, so you can check whether you have enough charge to get to your holiday cottage on Arran with probably some initial shopping, to take in the surrounding area and to get to the nearest charging point to the cottage. You may be travelling via the Claonaig-Lochranza ferry in which case we suggest you input Tarbert(Loch Fyne), which should give you a pointer to check the surrounding areas.
The costs of charging an electric vehicle.
The website above also has a handy cost calculator depending on vehicle model and mileage range. It is important that you contact the holiday cottage owner if you are bringing an electric vehicle. You will be aware that there has been a large increase in utility bills and owners, whilst wishing to help, should not be expected to cover the cost of charging your vehicle overnight without any previous agreement to pay for this. Your holiday rental generally includes electricity used during your occupation of the property (there may be odd exceptions – cottages which change this separately or by meter) but does not include your electric vehicle. Regrettably we have had several instances of this being reported to us by owners so please do contact your owners if necessary.
Some owners are arranging to have home electric vehicle charging units installed but for Arran, at this time, the costs are high and the waiting list is long.
Insurance Cover.
We strongly advise that you have travel insurance cover as you may be able to claim money back from your insurers. Situations, other than has been the case with Covid over the last couple of years, do happen and all other matters should be covered by your own travel insurance including ferry cancellations and possibly overnight accommodation should the need arise. You should ensure you are adequately covered for any such eventualities as, whilst owners may do their best to help, they are not responsible for covering any such issues either with accommodation or financially. If you do have to cancel and do not have travel insurance please let the owner know as soon as possible so that they have time to try and re-let and if they do re-let you should be able to receive a partial refund less the additional marketing costs of trying to re-let their property at short notice and possibly with limited ferry spaces.
Security/Housekeeping Bonds. Some owners will require a Bond but you will be notified of this before making online bookings and if making an owner direct booking please ensure you have asked about this. Amounts vary between £150 & £250 and are usually refundable within 2 weeks of departure subject to a satisfactory housekeeper’s report.
You will come across these cottages on our website and can contact the owner of these cottages by both email and telephone if a phone number if displayed. They will have their own booking arrangements which you can discuss and arrange with them. They are required to keep their availability up to date wherever possible to avoid time wasting.
