Wild Thistle Escapes Motorhome Hire Terms & Conditions
Last updated: October 2026
These Terms & Conditions apply to all motorhome hires with Wild Thistle Escapes. By making a booking, the hirer agrees to these Terms & Conditions and confirms that all information provided in connection with the booking is accurate and complete.
1. Booking & Payment
A £250 booking deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your chosen dates.
The remaining balance must be paid in full 6 weeks before the start of your hire.
Where a booking is made within 6 weeks of the hire start date, the full hire cost is payable at the time of booking.
Your booking is confirmed once the required payment has been received and confirmation has been issued by Wild Thistle Escapes.
2. Driver Requirements
All drivers must meet the requirements of our motor insurance provider.
Drivers must be aged 21-69; hold a full UK, EU, Australian or New Zealand driving licence; have held a full driving licence for at least 2 years; have no more than one insurance claim within the previous 3 years; and meet our insurer's requirements regarding driving convictions, occupations and medical conditions.
Certain driving convictions, claims, occupations or medical conditions may require prior approval from our insurer or may prevent us from providing insurance cover. If you are unsure whether you meet our driver requirements, please contact us before booking and we'll be happy to check.
Only drivers who have been declared to and approved by Wild Thistle Escapes may drive the motorhome.
3. Identification & Licence Checks
Before your hire, each driver will be required to provide a valid photocard driving licence and two recent proofs of address. UK licence holders will also be required to complete an online DVLA licence check so that we can verify their licence and any endorsements.
We may request additional documentation where reasonably required by our insurer.
Failure to provide the required documentation or meet our insurer's eligibility requirements may result in us being unable to release the motorhome.
4. Insurance
Motor insurance is included in the hire price for approved drivers who meet our insurer's requirements.
Insurance is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and excesses of our insurance policy. Hirers must comply with these requirements throughout the hire.
The motorhome must never be driven by anyone who has not been approved and insured for the hire.
Where an accident, loss or damage occurs, the hirer may be responsible for the applicable insurance excess and/or costs not covered by the insurance where permitted under the rental agreement and insurance terms.
5. Security Deposit
A £1,000 security deposit is required for every hire and must be paid before the motorhome is released.
The deposit is held against costs arising during the hire for which the hirer is responsible. These may include damage to the motorhome or its contents, missing or damaged equipment, insurance excess, additional cleaning, refuelling costs or other charges arising under these Terms & Conditions.
Providing the motorhome is returned on time, with no damage or missing items, in a reasonably clean condition and with no outstanding charges or claims, the security deposit will be returned in full.
Where a deduction is required, only the amount reasonably due will be retained and the remaining balance will be returned.
Where an incident requires an insurance claim, repair quotation or further investigation, we may retain the relevant amount until the cost or liability has been established.
If costs for which the hirer is responsible exceed the £1,000 security deposit, the hirer remains responsible for the additional amount, subject to the rental agreement, applicable insurance and law.
Where there are no outstanding issues, we aim to return the security deposit within 7 working days following return of the motorhome.
6. Collection & Return
Standard collection and return is from Cumbernauld, Scotland, unless another arrangement has been agreed with us in advance.
The motorhome is available for collection from 2pm and must be returned by 11am on the agreed return date.
Early collection or late return may be available by prior arrangement. This must be discussed and agreed before the start of your hire and is subject to availability.
Alternative collection and return arrangements, including airport pick-up, may also be available. Please contact us in advance to discuss your requirements. Additional charges may apply where appropriate.
7. Fuel
The motorhome will be supplied with a full tank of diesel and must be returned with a full tank.
Where the motorhome is returned without a full tank, the reasonable cost of replacing the missing fuel may be deducted from the security deposit.
8. Mileage
Unlimited mileage is included with your hire, giving you the freedom to explore without worrying about additional mileage charges.
9. Where You Can Travel
The motorhome may be used throughout the United Kingdom, including travel on UK ferry services to the Scottish islands and other UK destinations.
The motorhome must not be taken outside the UK.
The motorhome must not be taken to festivals or similar events.
Hirers are responsible for ferry fares, campsite fees, tolls, parking charges and similar costs incurred during their trip.
10. Dogs
Dogs are very welcome in our motorhome.
We simply ask that reasonable care is taken and that the motorhome is returned in a clean and tidy condition.
Normal pet hair associated with a dog-friendly hire is expected. However, excessive pet hair, staining, odours, soiling or other mess requiring additional or specialist cleaning may result in our cleaning charge being applied.
The hirer is responsible for any damage caused by their pets.
11. Smoking & Vaping
Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited inside the motorhome at all times.
This applies to all occupants and visitors throughout the hire.
Where there is evidence that smoking or vaping has taken place inside the motorhome, the hirer will be responsible for the reasonable cost of any specialist cleaning, deodorising or other work necessary to restore the motorhome to its pre-hire condition.
These costs may be deducted from the security deposit.
12. Looking After the Motorhome
The hirer is responsible for taking reasonable care of the motorhome and its equipment throughout the hire.
The motorhome must be driven responsibly, secured when unattended and used only for its intended purpose.
It must not be used for any illegal purpose, racing, speed testing, commercial carriage or any activity that could invalidate the insurance.
The motorhome must not be sub-hired, loaned or driven by an unauthorised person.
13. Equipment & Optional Extras
The motorhome will be supplied with the equipment specified on our website and/or your booking confirmation.
Optional extras, including bedding and towel packs, can be added to your booking for an additional charge.
All equipment supplied must be returned with the motorhome in substantially the same condition in which it was provided, allowing for reasonable wear and tear.
14. Cleaning & Return Condition
The motorhome must be returned in a reasonably clean and tidy condition, similar to the condition in which it was provided at the start of your hire.
Before returning the motorhome, please remove all personal belongings and rubbish, clean up significant spills or mess and leave the interior, kitchen and bathroom areas reasonably clean.
The toilet cassette must be completely emptied and cleaned before return, and waste water should be emptied appropriately.
A £250 cleaning charge may be applied where the motorhome is returned in an unreasonably dirty condition or where the toilet cassette has not been emptied and cleaned.
The charge is intended to cover circumstances where significant additional or specialist cleaning is required. Normal use and reasonable day-to-day untidiness are expected and will not in themselves result in the charge being applied.
The cleaning charge may be deducted from the security deposit.
Cleaning required because of smoking or vaping, damage or other exceptional circumstances may be charged separately based upon the reasonable costs incurred.
15. Breakdown & Mechanical Problems
If you experience a breakdown or mechanical problem during your trip, please contact the breakdown provider and/or Wild Thistle Escapes using the contact details supplied with the motorhome.
We will provide reasonable assistance to help get you back on the road as quickly as possible.
Repairs must not be authorised without first obtaining approval from Wild Thistle Escapes, except where immediate action is reasonably necessary for safety.
16. Accidents, Damage, Theft or Vandalism
If the motorhome is involved in an accident or suffers damage, theft or vandalism, please contact Wild Thistle Escapes as soon as reasonably possible and follow the instructions provided.
Where another person or vehicle is involved, you should obtain their name, contact details, vehicle registration and insurance details, together with details of any witnesses where possible.
Photographs should also be taken where it is safe and practical to do so.
The hirer must not admit liability, make an offer of payment or attempt to settle a claim on behalf of Wild Thistle Escapes.
All incidents must be reported to us, even where the damage appears minor.
17. Parking Charges, Fines & Penalties
The hirer is responsible for parking charges, tolls, congestion or clean-air charges, traffic penalties and other charges resulting from their use of the motorhome during the hire period.
Where we receive a notice relating to your hire, we may provide the relevant authority or operator with the hirer's details where legally permitted or required.
Any reasonable costs incurred by Wild Thistle Escapes in dealing with charges attributable to the hirer may also be recovered where permitted.
18. Leaving Your Vehicle With Us
Free parking for one car is available for the duration of your hire.
Our parking area is covered by CCTV. However, customers remain responsible for their vehicle and any belongings left within it. Wild Thistle Escapes will not be responsible for loss or damage except where responsibility cannot lawfully be excluded or where caused by our negligence.
Please do not leave valuables in your vehicle.
19. Changes to Your Booking
We understand that plans can sometimes change.
If you need to change your hire dates, please contact us as soon as possible and we'll do our best to accommodate your request, subject to availability.
Any change must be agreed by Wild Thistle Escapes and may result in a change to the hire price.
20. Cancellation by the Hirer
We understand that plans can sometimes change. If you need to cancel your booking, please let us know as soon as possible.
More than 6 weeks before the start of hire: 25% of the total hire cost or the £250 booking deposit, whichever is greater.
Between 6 and 4 weeks before the start of hire: 50% of the total hire cost.
Less than 4 weeks before the start of hire or failure to arrive (No Show): 100% of the total hire cost.
Any amount already paid above the applicable cancellation charge will be refunded.
We strongly recommend that customers arrange appropriate travel insurance with cancellation cover to protect against unexpected circumstances that may prevent them from travelling.
21. Cancellation or Unavailability by Wild Thistle Escapes
Very occasionally, circumstances outside our reasonable control may mean that the booked motorhome cannot be provided.
If this happens, we will contact you as soon as reasonably possible and will try to offer a suitable alternative arrangement where available.
Where we are unable to provide the agreed hire and a suitable alternative cannot be agreed, we will provide any refund or other remedy to which you are entitled under applicable law.
22. Personal Belongings
Please take reasonable care of your belongings during your trip and ensure the motorhome is securely locked when unattended.
Customers are responsible for their own personal belongings and should arrange appropriate travel or personal insurance where required.
23. Your Responsibilities
During your hire, you are responsible for ensuring that only approved drivers drive the motorhome; the motorhome is driven safely and lawfully; seatbelts are worn where required; the motorhome is properly secured when unattended; reasonable precautions are taken to prevent loss, theft or damage; all supplied equipment is looked after; the motorhome is returned at the agreed time and in the agreed condition; and you comply with these Terms & Conditions and the requirements explained during your handover.
24. Our Liability & Your Consumer Rights
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions is intended to exclude or restrict any rights or remedies that cannot legally be excluded or restricted.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions affects your statutory consumer rights.
25. Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the law of Scotland.
If a dispute arises, we encourage you to contact us first so that we can try to resolve the matter with you.
26. Contact Us
If you have any questions about your booking or these Terms & Conditions, please contact Wild Thistle Escapes and we'll be happy to help.