Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cairns Farm open to the public daily?

We are only open to those attending events, workshops, accommodation or for pre-arranged meetings. All venue show arounds must be booked in advance. Please contact us to arrange.

Disabled Access

Our Barns is fully accessible and is on the ground level, however, we are a working farm and pathways between our accommodation and Barn are on slopes and are covered with gravel/not smooth. We do have 3 accessible parking spaces with a path leading to directly to the front door of The Barn. Please get in touch with us any questions you have regarding access.

Parking

We have space for approximately 50 cars. The car park is sloped and is gravel. We have 3 accessible parking spaces with a path leading to the front door.

Overnight parking Cars may be left at Cairns Farm overnight but they must be collected next day by 11am at the latest please. Cars are left entirely at owners’ risk.

Are we able to arrive by coach?

Yes, we are permitted to have two full-size coaches. Coaches can drop guests at the front door and turn in front of the house.

Can we get to Cairns by Public Transport?

There are no buses or trains which take you straight to Cairns Farm. The closest train stations are Kirknewton (5.7 miles), Livingston (9 miles), West Calder (8 miles) Haymarket/Waverley?  The nearest bus stop is Balerno (7 miles).

Taxis

Guests are strongly recommended to arrange evening taxis well in advance as they are seldom available immediately if called late on a weekend evening. Non-resident guests are asked to leave site no more than 30 mins after the event has finished as we close the site for the night – please bear this in mind when booking a pickup time – we do not have an out of hours late bar or lounge room. If you are staying locally, it is often easier, and cheaper, to organise taxis from your accommodation before you leave for the wedding. If you would like numbers of local taxi firms then please call the office on 01506 883 506 (office hours only).

Do you have Wi-Fi?

Yes we do and it is complimentary.

Dietary requirements

If you are vegetarian or vegan or have any allergies or dietary requirements we need to know in advance! Please let your Hosts know well in advance so they can pre-order the correct food with their caterers at least six weeks before their wedding day. We are unable to cook any last minute alternative meals on the day due to guests forgetting to tell the hosts of their specific needs in advance. Please note that we are not a nut free kitchen at Cairns and we cannot guarantee to be free of traces of nuts.

Booking accommodation

We ask our clients to allocate the accommodation to guests themselves and therefore we cannot take bookings from guests directly. Please contact your Hosts if you are interested in staying on site.

How can  I pay?

You can either pay by card, or please get in touch with us directly as BACS transfer may be possible depending on booking type.

Are pets allowed to stay at Cairns Farm?

Yes- we absolutely allow pets (please discuss if not a cat or dog)- please get in touch if you wish to bring more than one. As we are a working farm we ask that they are kept on leads at all times. We also ask that animals are kept off furniture and stay downstairs in the Farmhouse.

What time can we Check-In and when should we Check-Out?

Check- In time is from 4pm until 8pm, Check-Out at 11am. Please discuss any later than 8pm arrivals. Late Check-Out may be an option if no follow on bookings. Bags can be kept in the office if you wish to arrive earlier, or pick them up later.

Do you provide sheets and towels?

Yes- all beds come fully made up with 100% linen bedding, as well as some cosy blankets in each hut/house. One bath towel will be provided per person.

Are highchairs and travel cots available?

Yes, we do have highchairs and travel cots, however, these are used at your own risk- and you are required to bring your own linen/bedding for use in the travel cots.

Can we buy food if we are staying over?

We currently have no provision to buy food from us directly at the farm. All our accommodation is self-catering and we have facilities for cooking. We do occasionally have vegetables and eggs that can be purchased during your stay, but please come prepared, or, if you would like to arrange a food service, please speak to one of our preferred caterers – see here.

Late Night Noise

For our resident onsite guests and particularly at the end of a night, please be respectful and do not make excessive noise in respect of other residents in the local area.

Non-residents

Are requested to leave site within half an hour of the end of the a celebration or event, at which time we need to turn the site around and close up for the night. Non-residents are not allowed in any bedrooms for security reasons at any time.

Alternative Local Accommodation

If all our accommodation has been allocated there are plenty of local B&Bs and hotels in the area, please see the Supplier section on our website for details.

Bringing Your Own

We do permit you to bring your own alcohol into our accommodation lets, however no personal alcohol may be brought into any event held in our Barn. Cairns Farm Barn is licenced venue and only drink provided by Cairns is permitted to be drunk whilst our bars are serving. A corkage charge will be enforced if this condition is broken.

Under & Over 18s

We observe the licensing regulations strictly and follow the ‘Think 25 rule’ meaning we will not serve alcohol to guests under 18 and will request ID from all those we believe to look under the age of 25. If you are over 18 and look under 25, please bring valid ID with you to save any disappointment or embarrassment on the day. We will confiscate any alcohol being consumed by those who cannot provide valid ID or those who we know to be under the legal age.

Smoking

All of the inside spaces and accommodation is strictly NO SMOKING. A clean up charge of £100 is applied if housekeeping discover accommodation rooms have been smoked in. Smoking is allowed outside, but please use the ashtrays provided and avoid throwing butts on the ground, under trees and near buildings. There is a very real fire risk here due to the nature of our ancient wooden framed buildings, and cigarette butts discarded in the garden, on the paths or in the Courtyard all detract from the appearance of the site and affect other guests another day.

Can we have fireworks?

We allow fireworks on the farm, but do ask that this is confirmed in advance. Qualified professionals are required to supervise the lighting of fireworks.

What chairs do you provide?

We provide wooden crossback chairs and wooden rectangular trestle tables (seating up to 8) as standard.

Do you allow indoor pyrotechnics?

No