We accept cash or cheques and can give you our bank account details if you wish to pay using an online banking facility. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept credit or debit cards.
Yes, all bookings must be confirmed with a deposit and a completed booking form. The deposit is non refundable and can only be transferred to another booking in special circumstances. Bookings are not complete until you receive confirmation from the Coach House. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for further information.
Sadly, we have to apply charges for late cancellations. We are a small charity and late cancellations result in a financial loss to the Coach House as well as possibly depriving others of the opportunity to stay here or attend a particular event. We urge you to read through our Terms and Conditions carefully before making a booking, and encourage you to take out appropriate insurance to cover your stay in the event of a cancellation.
Bedrooms are normally available from 3.00pm on the day of your arrival, and we ask you to vacate your room by 10.00am on the day of your departure. We can be flexible with these times in some circumstances. We ask guests to strip and remake their beds before they leave, if possible. Please let us know if you plan to arrive later than 6.00pm, as this can have a knock-on effect on our arrangements for supper.
We have two meditation times each day in the sanctuary. Our morning meditation is from 8.30-9.00am and our evening meditation is from 8.00-8.30pm. Guests are very welcome to join us for one or both sessions.
Meal times follow a set pattern unless you are informed otherwise. Breakfast is on a self-service basis any time between 7.30-9.30am. Lunch is at 1.00pm, and supper is served at 6.15pm. All meals are taken in the dining room. Please note that some meals might be in silence if this accords with a particular group retreat. Guests on an individual silent retreat may request the option of taking their meal to their bedroom.
We ask guests to nurture the peaceful atmosphere of the house by entering into silence from 8.30 pm to breakfast time.
We aim to maintain a peaceful atmosphere in the house and so it is likely that some meals will be in silence during your stay here, if this accords with the majority of guests’ requests. Guests who have booked on an individual silent retreat will be offered the option of having their meal in their room if there are other guests having a ‘talking supper’.
We aim to be as flexible as possible in this regard.
We do ask all our guests to nurture the peaceful atmosphere of the house by entering into silence from 8.30 pm (after evening meditation) to breakfast time.
Traditionally, the Coach house has closed from mid December to late February. However, we will be open for a Christmas Retreat in 2021, and will then close as usual for January and February 2022. We remain open for the rest of each year.
Please refer to our Accommodation page, or contact us if you require more detailed information about a particular room.
We provide all towels and bed linen for your stay (bath towel, hand towel and bath mat), together with hand soap. Please bring your own toiletries. Blankets are available in all bedrooms for those who require extra warmth at bedtime. We keep a limited supply of over-the-counter medication (e.g. paracetmol, antiseptic cream), disposable ear plugs for light sleepers (!), and some sanitary products for emergencies.
Please come prepared for the changeable weather, and if you want to make full use of our wonderful countryside then we recommend stout footwear! We ask guests not to use outdoor footwear in parts of the house, so bring some slippers or thick socks if that’s possible. A dressing gown is advised for those using the standard bedrooms. Please remember to bring any essential medication, as we are located in a rural area and it might be very difficult to get replacement supplies.
No. There is a communal tea/coffee making area on the first floor landing which we replenish each day. There is a refrigerator on the landing in which guests may store a small amount of personal supplies if required.
Yes, but it is slow and not guaranteed in all parts of the house. The wi-fi access code is made available. However, as a retreat house which seeks to foster an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity, we would encourage guests to take the opportunity to have an ‘electronic media de-tox’ and minimise their use of the internet.
There is no TV or public phone located within the Coach House or in the village.
Yes, but this is variable. We would ask guests to be sensitive in their use of mobile phones and use them outside whenever possible so as not to disturb other guests.
We do our best to provide delicious, wholesome food, and most of our meals are freshly prepared in our kitchen. Many of our meals are vegetarian, and we do cater for guests with certain dietary requirements, such as gluten free, dairy free, vegan. However we cannot guarantee being able to meet every individual need. It is essential that guests advise us at the time of booking of any specific dietary requirements, including any allergies that they experience.
The Coach House is a non-smoking house and guests are asked to smoke outside the grounds if necessary. “Recreational” drug use is strictly forbidden, and the consumption of alcohol is limited to very special occasions such as the celebration of a particular festival or occasion.
This is possible, but much will depend on the time of year, the nature of your enquiry, and what our other commitments might be at that time. Please contact us if you have a specific enquiry.
There are frequent plane, train and coach services to Inverness, our nearest city, which is 6 miles from Kilmuir. However the Coach House is located in a rural area off the main public transport routes. We can provide you with details of local taxi companies if requested.
Unfortunately we cannot accommodate any animals at the Coach House, with the exception of Registered Guide Dogs. But we do love animals and take great pleasure in feeding the local birds, watching out for red squirrels, deer and so on!
