Blog

It is advisable for anyone coming to the cottage for a stay in the Borders to have the Scottish Test and Protect app installed on their smart phone. If the app requires you to input a Scottish address and/or postcode feel free to use the Half House cottage, Cappercleuch, Selkirk TD7 5LG.

Bear in mind that at present the English app does not cover Scotland and that you will require to choose which app is “active” as they will not automatically switch when you travel across the border. If you are travelling from England remember to activate the appropriate app when you return home.

From the 1st February 2021 the prices have been set as follows:

Due to additional Covid cleaning requirements we are avoiding same-day changeovers. This means that the night following a booked stay will be kept clear. This has some impact on availability as it effectively reduces the number of bookable dates. Unfortunately this is a loss to us and and a loss to our potential guests. Booking early ensures that you get your favoured dates. Our online booking system has now been updated to accept bookings for 2021.

Our first booking dates that are still available, as at the time of this post, are from 8th to 16th July 2020.

Half House Cottage will be back in operation from 15th July 2020!

We are now acquainted with the latest government guidelines relating to the issues and requirements of re-opening whilst Covid-19 remains a potential risk.

In addition to this Katie has completed online training which is particular to cleaning requirements and risk assessment for self catering premises. Though our previous cleaning regime was already at an extremely high standard we now follow “Cleaning Protocols for Self-Catering Properties in the Context of Covid-19” which requires the use of specific antiviral products and recommends more time between bookings.

Please bear with us if we are unable to accede to requests for early arrivals (3pm normal check-in or late check-out beyond 11am). There will also normally be a clear day between guests. In other words no departures and arrivals on the same day. When bookings are made we will do our best to add in the extra “spacer” days on the system before someone else makes a booking!

Official communication has been received from the Scottish First Minister. Included in the official statement is: “To our hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation – you should not be accepting visitors.“

Unfortunately we will require to temporarily suspend business. There is presently no time scale given but we will be in touch with those who already have bookings for the coming 2 months. The situation is changing from day to day so we may require to extend that period depending on developments.

We look forward to welcoming visitors again in the future and hope that this can be sooner rather than later.

Due to the uncertainty relating to the Coronavirus we are aware that you may be wondering what would happen if you have to cancel a booking. We have decided to temporarily remove the requirement to give 30 days notice of cancellation. This means that you can be confident of getting your money back even if you have to cancel at the last minute. There is therefore no need to worry about what will happen if your circumstances change nearer to the dates of your stay at the cottage.

We are confident that a stay at the Half House remains a very good option during these difficult times. The cottage is, of course, cleaned to a very high standard between guests. You will be staying in a lightly populated part of the country with fresh air, open spaces and no requirement to have close interactions with groups of people.

We can now offer electric vehicle charging by arrangement (7kW Type 2 tethered connector).