Briar Cottages Terms and Conditions

​ Booking & Guest Information at Briar Cottages, Lochearnhead

Welcome to Briar Cottages—your home-from-home in the heart of Lochearnhead, Perthshire, within the stunning Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Whether you're planning a peaceful retreat, a dog-friendly getaway, or a festive holiday break, we want your stay to be as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
This page outlines everything you need to know before booking your stay at Little Briar Cottage or Briar Steading—from arrival times and short break options to pet policies, payment details, and safety guidance. We’ve designed our terms to be fair, transparent, and guest-focused, with flexibility where it matters most.
As proud members of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, we follow national standards for guest safety, comfort, and conduct. We also operate under Scotland’s Short-Term Let Licensing Scheme, ensuring your stay meets all legal and insurance requirements.
Whether you're joining us for a week-long holiday, a cosy winter escape, or a special celebration, we’re here to help you feel welcome, informed, and relaxed from the moment you book.

🏡 Booking & Stay Information, Arrival & Departure

• Little Briar Cottage: Available from 3pm on Fridays
• Briar Steading: Available from 4pm on Saturdays Please text or call us en route if you expect to arrive later than planned. Departure times: Little Briar by 10am, Briar Steading by 11am.

Holiday Duration

• April to October: 7-night holidays
• January to April & October to January: 3–7 night breaks available
• Christmas & New Year: Minimum 5-night stay Short breaks are occasionally available and shown in yellow on our availability chart.

Short Break Pricing

• 3 nights: 60% of weekly rate
• 4 nights: 70%
• 5 nights: 80%
• 6 nights: 90% Short breaks must be paid in full at the time of booking.

💳 Booking & Payment
 To book or enquire:

• 📧 Email: [email protected]
• ☎️ Landline: 01567 830 443
• 📱 Mobile: 07917 416 497
• A 20% deposit secures your booking (full payment for short breaks).
• Balances are due 8 weeks before arrival. We’ll send reminders and helpful info.
• Payment options: Debit/Credit card to 07917 417497 or request BACS details via email.

​
 Cottage, Guest Numbers         Pet Policy                 Licence No.Briar
      Steading = 4 + baby                    No pets                        ST00072F
       Little Briar  = 3                            1- 2 pets                      ST00073F​

🐶 Pet-Friendly Stays at Little Briar
We love welcoming dogs!

• Enjoy the paddock, stream, and loch access
• Water and food bowls provided
• Bring your dog’s bed if practical and avoid leaving pets alone indoors for their safety
• Kindly keep dogs off beds and furnishings
• Clean up after your pet and help us keep the grounds lovely for all guests
• Local farmers ask that dogs be kept on leads near livestock

​
🚭 Smoking & Parking

• Both cottages are non-smoking indoors
• Smoking is permitted in the 3-acre gardens—please dispose of cigarettes responsibly
• Each cottage has 2 parking spaces, plus lower-level parking available
• Boat/trailer parking by prior arrangement

🌊 Loch Garden & Water Access
Guests may enjoy:

• Jetty, slipway, mooring buoys
• 9-flag putting green & petanque piste

Use is at your own risk.

• Children must be supervised
• Buoyancy aids required on water
• Boats must be insured (min. £1M third-party) and seaworthy
• Boats over 8ft wide are not suited to our slipway

For loch bylaws and permitted fishing/camping areas, visit our [National Park page].
​

🧾 COVID-19 Guarantee
If UK or Scottish Government restrictions legally prevent your stay, we’ll offer:

• A full refund
• Or alternative dates

This applies to circumstances beyond your or our control.

🛏 Comfort & Safety

• Both cottages are all-electric. Usage is included unless significantly exceeded
• Each property has security lighting and alarm systems
• You are responsible for securing the property when unoccupied
• Children are welcome, but must be supervised near the loch and jetty
• Lead guest must be 18+
• Guests use the property at their own risk; we cannot accept liability for loss or injury

🧹 Housekeeping & Care
​We kindly ask guests to:

• Leave the cottage reasonably clean and tidy
• Notify us of any breakages or items needing attention
• Don’t worry--we never charge for accidental breakages
• Share any suggestions for improvement—we love feedback!

💒 Weddings At Briar Cottages are for self-catering holidays.
If you'd like to explore a humanist wedding on the grounds:

• Please contact us before booking
• Guest numbers must match cottage occupancy (max. 7 across both cottages)

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Respecting Our Community
We want you to enjoy your stay and the peaceful surroundings. Please be mindful of neighbours—especially during late-night arrivals or outdoor gatherings.

📜 Licensing & Agents

• We operate under Scotland’s mandatory short-term let licensing
• Health & safety documentation is available to view on arrival
• If booking via Airbnb or Holidaylettings, your contract is with them. We receive limited guest details and payment only after arrival.

🚨 EmergenciesIn case of emergency, please call: 📱 07876 122 505 or 07917 416497 Additional contacts are listed in your welcome booklet.

​⚠️​Stirling Council Visitor Levy (Effective 2027)
In accordance with the Stirling Visitor Levy Scheme formally approved by Stirling Council, a mandatory local authority surcharge applies to paid overnight accommodation within the council boundary.

If your holiday at Briar Cottages meets the criteria below, the levy will be calculated and added as a distinct line item to your final balance invoice.

1. Timeline and Application

• Bookings Made: Applies to all holiday bookings secured on or after 1 January 2027.
• Stays Occurring: Applies to all overnight stays commencing on or after 14 June 2027.

2. Rate and Calculation

• The levy is charged at a flat rate of 3% of the gross accommodation tariff.
• The 3% calculation applies strictly to the base rental price of the cottage. It does not apply to separate charges, such as our standard £25 pet fee.

3. The 7-Night Cap

• The visitor levy is legally capped at a maximum of 7 consecutive nights.
• If you book a longer stay at Briar Cottages, you will only be charged the 3% levy for the first 7 nights of your holiday. No levy is calculated or collected from night 8 onwards.

4. Exemptions and Stirling Council's Refund Policy

• Stirling Council dictates a strict "pay-and-refund" model for all short-term lets and self-catering operators.
• Certain guests are legally exempt from the levy (including specific disability benefit recipients and local residents).
• Important Note for Exempt Guests: Under council rules, the 3% levy must still be collected by Briar Cottages at the time of your final balance payment. To receive your money back, you must submit an exemption claim and proof directly to Stirling Council after your stay. Briar Cottages is legally unable to issue these refunds directly to you.