Terms And Conditions

Booking

Participants should sign up for a course (the “Course”) through our booking page. For weekend courses we ask for full payment upfront, for week long courses we require a 25% non-refundable deposit on booking and the balance is due eight weeks before the course starts.

Payment

Your space on the Course will be reserved upon booking and you will be notified by email. Full payment is required six weeks before the Course, failure to make payment by this deadline will result in immediate cancellation of your place with no deposit refundable. If signing up less than six weeks before the start, full payment will be required immediately. If full payment is not received, Archipelago Folkschool reserves the right to fill the space from the standby list as appropriate.

VAT

All amounts payable by you to Archipelago Folkschool in relation to the Course are inclusive of value added tax (VAT). In the event that the standard rate of VAT is increased, Archipelago Folkschool retains the right to increase its prices for any of its courses by giving you not less than [5] days written notice before the Course begins.

Cancellation

Cancellation by the Participant

Should you need to cancel your place on the Course, please let us know as soon as possible. While we realise some things cannot be foreseen, if the cancellation is less than six weeks before the Course starts, we will endeavour to refund the Course fee if we are able to find someone to fill your place. We will do our best to be as proactive and helpful as reasonably possible should this be the case. We encourage all participants to take out a suitable travel insurance policy to protect yourself. If you wish to cancel your place on the Course less than six weeks before the Course starts we will not be able to refund your deposit even if we manage to refill the place.

Cancellation by Archipelago Folkschool

In very rare circumstances, it may become necessary for Archipelago Folkschool to cancel a course. If Archipelago Folkschool cancels your Course for any reason within our control, we will refund 100% of what you have paid at the time of cancellation.

Archipelago Folkschool can take no responsibility for any cancellation or amendment penalties that your travel operator may charge you if you have to change or cancel your travel plans as a result of cancellation by Archipelago Folkschool. Your travel arrangements are subject to the terms and conditions of the travel company/operator through which you booked your travel. Participants are encouraged to buy flexible, refundable tickets and to purchase insurance which covers trip cancellation.

Preparing for a Course

Course Information

We will email you a complete briefing of each course in advance. This will cover what you can expect from us as well as what to bring with you. Please be aware that Archipelago Folkschool runs courses in remote places in an adventurous spirit. While we will make every effort to provide an excellent experience and to describe it accurately, we may have to adapt plans to accommodate weather and other issues. We expect participants to accept this as part of the experience. Where accommodation is provided as part of the Course the above will also apply. Where any supplementary fees apply, we will ensure this is made clear in advance.

Health and Fitness

Please be sure that you are clear about the physical demands of the Course BEFORE you take part, most of our courses are physically demanding in nature. We will endeavour to make the experience as accessible as possible but some aspects may be challenging. If you are in any doubt please discuss with us and (if appropriate) with a doctor before booking.

Medical Conditions

It is your responsibility to inform Archipelago Folkschool about any medical conditions which may impact your participation on a course. Participants are required to disclose the true nature of any such condition, making arrangements for the provision of any medication or other treatment which may be required during a course, failing which they may require to be excluded and any monies forfeit. This is for safety reasons only and will be kept strictly confidential. While we will be as accommodating as we can, if we deem any medical conditions to have the potential to lead to unsafe participation, we reserve the right to deny a place. Some courses may be away from transport links and supplies for some time. It is your responsibility to bring any routine medication with you in sufficient quantity for the duration of the Course.

Travel

Participants need to book their own travel to and from the Course location. In some cases, we may be holding the Course in a remote location in which case we will identify a pick up location and will provide transport to the final location.

Insurance

We strongly advise participants to obtain travel insurance which covers yourself and your belongings. Take particular care to ensure that taking part in craft courses is covered by your insurance policy. If you choose to partake in a course without adequate insurance cover, Archipelago Folkschool will not be liable for any losses or injuries howsoever arising, in respect of which insurance cover would otherwise have been available.

General Terms

Intellectual Property Rights

All intellectual property rights in or arising out of or in connection with the Course shall be owned by Archipelago Folkschool.

Limit of Liability

Your safety is of the highest importance and we take great care to do everything as safely as possible. There will always be an experienced person leading the Course and at least one first aider. We will deliver a thorough and comprehensive safety briefing at the start of the Course and will be constantly reviewing it as we work. However, by its nature, craft activities are a potentially dangerous activity we cannot be held responsible for any death or injury during one of our courses, save for as a consequence of our own negligent acts or omissions.

Archipelago Folkschool’s total liability for all loss or damage arising from its courses shall not exceed three times the total payment made by you to Archipelago Folkschool in relation to your selected Course on the relevant date.

Nothing limits any liability which cannot legally be limited, including but not limited to, liability for:

(a) death or personal injury caused by negligence; and

(b) fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.

Right of Refusal

Archipelago Folkschool reserves the right to refuse an applicant’s participation in an Archipelago Folkschool event at any time due to safety concerns, logistical limitations, in the interest of team compatibility, or for any other reason. Refusal of an applicant is an unusual event but might arise due to an applicant’s failure to meet the essential eligibility requirements and Archipelago Folkschool's inability to make reasonable accommodations. In the event that an applicant is refused participation for health reasons not previously disclosed, Archipelago Folkschool will not refund any deposit or payment made toward the Course if refusal is made within the cancellation period.

Equal Opportunities

Archipelago Folkschool aims to create conditions whereby participants are treated equally, regardless of their gender, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, religious or political beliefs, socio-economic background, sexual orientation, or other irrelevant distinction. Discrimination or harassment by any participant of Archipelago Folkschool, or victimisation of anyone who has complained of such, will not be tolerated. Archipelago Folkschool endeavours to include participants with disabilities where possible, subject to safe limits of operation.

Governing law

The Course, and any dispute or claim (including non-contractual disputes or claims) arising out of it in connection with it or its subject matter or formation shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the law of Scotland.