Please use our contact form if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Please ensure that you can attend on the dates that you intend to book before confirming your booking. Should you need to cancel for any reason, please let us know as soon as possible and we will readvertise your dates. If we are able to rebook our accommodation on those dates we will be happy to refund your booking.
Please note that ALL booking amendments and cancelations are subject to a 10% admin fee. This is to ensure that the fees and costs associated with cancelations etc. are born only by the those guests requiring this facility rather than by the greater community.
At The Wisp Retreat, we serve wholesome, home-prepared vegetarian meals communally made by our guests with care and fresh ingredients. All meals are prepared in the same kitchen space, which may also handle common allergens such as nuts, gluten, dairy, and soy. While we do our best to accommodate dietary preferences where possible, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment.
If you have a severe food allergy, please get in touch before booking so we can discuss your needs. In some cases, we may recommend bringing your own food to ensure your safety.
Guests who require specific items outside of our standard offering are welcome to bring additional food with them. Access to a shared fridge and preparation area is available — please ask in advance.
We're a small, budget-friendly retreat and appreciate your flexibility. If you have any questions about the food or kitchen use, we're happy to help — just drop us a message.
Thank you for your understanding as we aim to provide a welcoming space for everyone, within the limits of our facilities.
We are based in the Scottish Borders on the A7, 13 miles from Hawick and 11 miles from Langholm. We recommend you come by car, but if this doesn't suit you, the nearest train stations are Carlisle and Tweedbank, and the nearest bus stop is right on our doorstep for the X95 from Carlisle or Edinburgh.
It's really up to you. The rooms in the house are basic and comfortable, but if you are looking for something with more space, your own front door and a glamping feel, go for a cabin. All our rooms, inside and out, have double beds and shower rooms en suite. If you decide on a cabin you may like to bring warm pyjamas or a sleeping bag as extra bedding in the cooler months.
There are 4 double rooms in the house, one with an adjoining room with 2 single beds, 8 cabin rooms and 2 cabin suites. All our rooms unless specified have double beds and en suite shower. We also have a bunk room with 6 built in bunk beds and 2 en suite showers. The single room and the bunk rooms are not used for our organised events, but can be included for independent bookings. The house has 3 comfortable seating areas, a private unlicensed bar, a large spacious dining room that can be set up for table tennis and other activities, and a commercial kitchen.
Yes indeed! We welcome independent bookings. All independent bookings are for sole use of the accommodation and include access to all the facilities. We rent out the Retreat for private retreats and charitable functions, but not for parties and holidays. Please use our contact form for prices and further information. Please note that we no longer welcome stag and hen parties or other alcohol based parties.
Please bring your own toiletries, towels and clothes suitable for the season and weather. During the winter months warm and weather proof clothes are a must. If you would like to work on the nature reserve or take part in other outdoor activities you will also need a good pair of walking boots or strong wellies.
We do sometimes allow canine visitors with a few provisos. Please can you tell us before you book because we only allow 2 dogs on site at any one time, and one of those is ours. We ask for confirmation that your dog is friendly and good with other people and other dogs, and also that he or she will not impact the other guests' enjoyment of their retreat. This is because we have had several doggy guests with separation anxiety and this has had a negative impact on other guests' stays. Please note that your dog is not allowed out of the car park at Samye Ling Buddhist Monastery and many other places, so you may want to consider finding alternative arrangements rather than bringing your dog with you.