Terms & Conditions

Main Character University (MCU)

By booking and attending Main Character University (“MCU”), you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to the following Terms & Conditions.

1. Property Information

a. Authenticity of the Manor House

Ardtornish House is an authentic historic Victorian manor. As such, certain elements of the property reflect its age and historical character

Guests acknowledge that the property retains original architectural features and facilities consistent with the building’s historical period.

Live flames, candles, or open fires brought by guests are strictly prohibited anywhere on the property.

b. Bathroom Facilities

Ardtornish House maintains bathroom facilities consistent with its historic character.

Each dormitory has access to at least one bathroom, primarily featuring Victorian-style bathtubs without shower heads. Three shared shower rooms are also available throughout the house for guest use.

By attending MCU, participants acknowledge and accept the nature of these facilities as part of the historic property experience. No refunds or adjustments will be issued based on personal preferences regarding bathroom facilities.

c. Room Allocations & Sharing

Room allocations have been carefully planned to ensure a balanced and comfortable experience for all guests.

Guests wishing to share accommodation should select quad, triple, or double room options, which are specifically designed for multiple occupants.

Solo and Master rooms are strictly single-occupancy and may not be shared due to overall event capacity limitations.

By booking, guests acknowledge that room allocations are final and cannot be modified to accommodate additional occupants

d. Journey Details

Coach transportation between Edinburgh and Ardtornish Estate is included as part of your enrolment.

Transport will be provided by MacBackpackers Tours, and the journey will take approximately six to seven hours, including scheduled stops for comfort and sightseeing.

Due to the remote location of the venue, guests are strongly encouraged to travel on the official MCC coach.

2. Travel Responsibilities & Visa Requirements

Attendees are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of their own travel to and from Edinburgh, Scotland, including flights, trains, accommodation, visas, and any other travel expenses.

International travellers are responsible for ensuring they meet all UK entry requirements, including securing any necessary visas or travel authorisations prior to arrival.

MCC Scotland is not responsible for visa approvals, immigration decisions, or denied entry to the United Kingdom.

Due to the fixed departure time of the coach transfer and the remote location of Ardtornish Estate, we strongly recommend that attendees arrive in Edinburgh at least 24 hours before departure and schedule onward travel no earlier than 24 hours after the return coach arrives.

This recommendation allows for potential travel delays outside of our control, including weather disruptions, transportation delays, or other unforeseen circumstances.

MCC Scotland is not responsible for missed departures resulting from delayed or disrupted travel arrangements.

3. Payment & Cancellation Policy

a. Refund Policy

Refunds are only available if cancellation is requested no later than nine weeks prior to the start of the first event on 8 November 2026.

Cancellation requests received after this deadline are not eligible for refund, regardless of circumstances.

Approved refunds will be processed within 30 days of receiving the cancellation request.

Deposits are non refundable

Tickets may not be transferred, exchanged, or resold publicly. If you wish to cancel your space, please contact team@scotlandmagic.uk so the place can be offered to our internal waitlist.

b. Payment Deadline

Full payment for MCU Semester 1 & 2 must be completed by 31 July 2026. Full payment for MCU Semester 3 must be completed by 31st October 2026.

Failure to complete payment by this deadline may result in cancellation of your reservation and forfeiture of your deposit.

c. Payment Agreement

By paying the required deposit to secure your reservation, you acknowledge and agree to complete full payment by the stated deadline.

Failure to do so may result in the loss of both your reservation and deposit.

d. Payment Authorisation & Chargebacks

By completing your booking and submitting payment, you confirm that you are the authorised cardholder and agree to the payment schedule, cancellation policy, and refund terms outlined in these Terms & Conditions.

Participants agree not to initiate a chargeback or payment dispute with their bank or credit card provider for payments made in accordance with these agreed terms.

If a chargeback is initiated in violation of these terms, MCC Scotland reserves the right to recover the full outstanding balance of the booking, along with any associated chargeback or administrative fees.

e. Cancellation by MCC Scotland

In the unlikely event that MCU must be cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control—including but not limited to extreme weather, acts of God, damage to the venue, loss of access to the estate, or other unforeseen circumstances—we will notify attendees as soon as possible.

In such cases, attendees will be offered either:

• A rescheduled event date

• A refund (excluding any non-refundable deposits where applicable)

MCC Scotland is not responsible for additional costs incurred by attendees, including travel or accommodation expenses.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

4. Force Majeure

MCC Scotland shall not be held liable for delays, cancellations, or modifications caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Natural disasters

• Pandemics

• Extreme weather

• Strikes or labour disputes

• Transportation disruptions

• Government restrictions

• Other unforeseen events

In such circumstances, we reserve the right to modify, postpone, or cancel the event without liability beyond non-recoverable costs.

5. Photography & Video

By attending Main Character University, participants consent to the use of photographs and video footage taken during the event.

MCC Scotland reserves the right to use such media for promotional, marketing, editorial, and documentation purposes across digital platforms, social media, websites, and printed materials.

6. Safety & Participation

MCU includes a variety of indoor and outdoor activities that inherently involve some level of risk. These activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Wild swimming

• Campfires

• Walks and hikes

• Sword fighting

• Clay pigeon shooting

• Axe throwing

• Handling birds of prey

• Foraging

• Other outdoor experiences

Participants are responsible for assessing their own physical fitness and health condition prior to participating in any activity.

While MCC Scotland and its staff will take reasonable precautions to ensure participant safety, attendees acknowledge that accidents and injuries may still occur.

Participation in all activities is voluntary.

Participants agree to follow all safety instructions provided by MCC staff and activity providers at all times.

The venue is located approximately two hours from the nearest hospital or major medical facility. By attending, participants acknowledge that emergency medical assistance may not be immediately available.

Guests with relevant medical conditions must disclose them to the MCC team prior to attendance.

MCC Scotland shall not be liable for injuries or accidents except in cases of gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

7. Vendor-Operated Activities

Certain activities—including but not limited to axe throwing, sword fighting, birds of prey handling, wild swimming, and specialised outdoor experiences—are operated by third-party professional vendors.

These vendors are independently insured and responsible for the safe operation and supervision of their activities.

Participants may be required to sign additional liability waivers or safety declarations directly with the vendor before participating.

By attending MCU, you acknowledge that:

• Participation in vendor-operated activities is voluntary

• Additional waivers may be required

• Vendors hold primary responsibility for their activities

• MCC Scotland is not liable for vendor-operated activities except in cases of MCC Scotland’s gross negligence

• Failure to follow vendor safety instructions may result in exclusion from that activity without refund

8. Travel Insurance

All attendees are required to obtain comprehensive travel insurance as a condition of attendance.

Insurance should cover at minimum:

• Trip cancellation

• Medical emergencies

• Travel disruption

• Personal liability

MCC Scotland is not responsible for costs incurred due to cancellations, travel disruptions, or medical emergencies.

Proof of travel insurance may be requested prior to the event.

9. Responsible Alcohol Use & No-Drug Policy

Participants are expected to consume alcohol responsibly and comply with all applicable laws.

The use of illegal drugs or prohibited substances is strictly forbidden.

MCC Scotland reserves the right to remove any participant who violates this policy from the event without refund.

10. Code of Conduct & Bullying Policy

All participants are expected to behave respectfully toward fellow attendees, staff, and the property.

Any actions that disrupt the event, damage property, or create an unsafe or uncomfortable environment may result in removal from the event without refund.

Guests are responsible for any damage they cause to the venue or event property.

Zero-Tolerance Policy: Bullying, harassment, discrimination, or intimidation of any kind will not be tolerated.

Individuals engaging in such behaviour will be asked to leave the event immediately without refund.

11. Right to Refuse Attendance or Remove Participants

MCC Scotland reserves the right to refuse attendance or remove any participant from the event without refund if their behaviour:

• Poses a risk to the safety of themselves or others

• Violates the Code of Conduct

• Causes disruption to the event

• Fails to follow staff or vendor instructions

This decision will be made at the sole discretion of MCC Scotland in order to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all attendees.

12. Activities & Event Schedule

The event schedule is subject to change.

Activities may be modified, replaced, or rescheduled due to factors including weather conditions, venue availability, or operational requirements.

Where necessary, activities may be replaced with alternatives of equal or greater value.

No refunds or compensation will be provided due to schedule or activity changes.

13. Emergency Contact Information

All attendees must provide an emergency contact prior to attending the event.

This information will only be used in case of an emergency.

14. Themed Experience Disclaimer

Main Character University is a themed immersive experience designed for entertainment, community building, and personal enjoyment.

While the event is styled as a fictional “university,” participation does not result in any formal qualification, certification, academic credit, or professional accreditation.