borders reading retreat
win a reading retreat in the scottish borders
Three days, one picturesque cottage and a personalised library of publications chosen to change the way you see the world.
The printed page has always been more than a vehicle for sharing words – we know that it can challenge what we think we know, hold space for voices that are too often overlooked and give us new ways of understanding the world around us. At boom saloon, this knowledge sits at the heart of all we do.
To celebrate the community that makes our work possible, we’re gifting two boom saloon members the chance to spend three days reading, thinking and exploring at the Hugo Burge Foundation in the Scottish Borders.
Each winner will have exclusive use of a picturesque three-bedroom cottage on the Foundation’s grounds, alongside a personalised selection from the boom saloon library: a collection of books and magazines selected for their ability to question, challenge and inspire.
With no reading list to complete and no programme to follow, this very special retreat gifts time, space and an exceptional collection of ideas to get lost in – giving people who care about creating change the time and material to think.
how to enter
- Become a boom saloon member.
- Complete the competition entry form here, using the same email address attached to your membership.
- Choose your preferred retreat dates.
- Submit your entry by the 8th of December.
- Two winning members will be drawn after the competition closes and contacted directly.
the library
We’re curating the retreat library around a simple question: What can the printed page change? Expect books and magazines exploring ideas around creativity, culture, architecture, design, society, place, identity and social change: each selected because they have something meaningful to say about the world we inhabit and the world we could create.
You may discover something you’ve been meaning to read, encounter a completely new idea or leave with a new favourite book that changes what you do next.
made possible by our members
boom saloon is an independent publisher dedicated to democratising creativity for good. Our members make this work possible.
Their support enables us to publish, collaborate with communities and create projects that use creativity to give voice to people whose experiences are too often overlooked. This retreat is our way of investing something back into the people who make that work possible: time to read, space to think and access to ideas that might inspire whatever comes next.
Become a member. Enter the retreat. Read something that changes what you do next.
Competition closes 8th of December.
Promoter: BOOM SALOON LIMITED, company number SC529161, Station House, Tynehead, EH37 5XS (“boom saloon”, “we”, “us” or “our”).
By entering this prize draw, you agree to these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before entering.
1. The prize draw
1.1. This promotion is a free prize draw open exclusively to eligible boom saloon members.
1.2. There are two prizes available. Each prize consists of exclusive use of a three-bedroom cottage at the Hugo Burge Foundation in the Scottish Borders for three nights.
1.3. The two prize periods are:
- Monday 18 January 2027 to Wednesday 20 January 2027; and
- Friday 22 January 2027 to Sunday 24 January 2027.
The exact dates will be confirmed in the final promotional materials and these Terms and Conditions.
1.4. One winner will be selected for each prize period.
1.5. The winner may use the cottage alone or may bring other people with them. There is no requirement to occupy all bedrooms.
1.6. Guests do not need to be boom saloon members and do not need to meet the eligibility requirements for entering the prize draw.
1.7. The prize does not include travel, food, drinks, insurance, personal expenses or any other costs unless expressly stated in these Terms and Conditions.
1.8. The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or any other alternative at the winner’s request.
1.9. The books and magazines made available as part of the reading retreat are for use during the retreat only. No books or other items belonging to boom saloon, the Hugo Burge Foundation or any other third party may be removed from the cottage.
1.10. The final contents of the reading library are subject to availability and may be changed by boom saloon where necessary.
2. Who can enter
2.1. The prize draw is open to individuals aged 18 or over who are active, paying boom saloon members at the time of entry.
2.2. The prize draw is open to eligible members resident anywhere in the world, provided that they are able to arrange and pay for their own travel to and from the prize accommodation and comply with any applicable immigration, visa or travel requirements.
2.3. Employees, directors and contractors of boom saloon who are directly involved in administering the prize draw are not eligible to enter.
2.4. Employees, directors and contractors of the Hugo Burge Foundation who are directly involved in providing or administering the prize are not eligible to enter.
2.5. Immediate family or members of the household of anyone excluded under clauses 2.3 or 2.4 are also excluded.
2.6. boom saloon reserves the right to verify the eligibility of any entrant and may require reasonable evidence of identity, age, membership or other eligibility information.
2.7. We may disqualify any entrant where we reasonably believe that the entrant has breached these Terms and Conditions, provided false or misleading information, interfered with the operation of the prize draw, or attempted to obtain an unfair advantage.
3. Membership requirement
3.1. Entry is free for eligible boom saloon members. Membership itself is a paid service and is subject to boom saloon’s separate membership terms.
3.2. To enter, you must have an active paying boom saloon membership at the time your entry is submitted.
3.3. You must remain an active paying boom saloon member until your prize retreat has been completed.
3.4. If you cancel, terminate or otherwise cease to hold an active paying membership before the retreat has been completed, you will no longer be eligible to win or receive the prize.
3.5. If you are selected as a winner but cease to be an active paying member before your retreat takes place, your prize will be forfeited and another eligible entrant may be selected.
4. Entry period
4.1. The prize draw opens at 00:01 BST on 7 October 2026.
4.2. The prize draw closes at 23:59 GMT on 8 December 2026.
4.3. Entries received after the closing time will not be accepted.
4.4. boom saloon’s clock will be the official time for the purposes of determining whether an entry has been received before the closing time.
5. How to enter
5.1. Eligible members may enter by completing and submitting the official boom saloon prize draw entry form made available through Google Forms during the entry period.
5.2. Entrants must provide the information requested on the entry form, which will include their name, email address, confirmation of membership and preferred prize period.
5.3. Entrants may enter more than once, but each entry must be associated with a separate, new boom saloon membership.
5.4. Each separate qualifying membership may be used to submit one entry.
5.5. An entrant may select either or both prize periods when entering.
5.6. Entries must be submitted personally by the entrant. Entries submitted on behalf of another person, or submitted through automated systems or third parties, will not be accepted.
5.7. We accept no responsibility for entries that are lost, delayed, corrupted, incomplete, incorrectly submitted or not received for any reason, including technical failure, internet connectivity issues or problems with Google Forms.
6. Winner selection
6.1. Two winners will be selected entirely at random from all valid and eligible entries.
6.2. The draw will be conducted using a random number generator.
6.3. One winner will be selected for each prize period from the entrants who selected that period.
6.4. An entrant cannot win both prizes.
6.5. If the same entrant is selected for both prize periods, that entrant will retain the first prize period for which they were selected and a new winner will be drawn for the other prize period.
6.6. Before a prize is confirmed, boom saloon may verify that the selected entrant satisfies all eligibility requirements, including their continuing membership status.
7. Winner notification and claiming the prize
7.1. The selected winners will be contacted privately by email on 8 December 2026 using the email address provided at entry.
7.2. Each selected winner must respond to the notification email within 48 hours of the time the notification email was sent.
7.3. The 48-hour period will continue to run regardless of whether the notification email is subsequently identified as spam or junk mail, is not opened, is not read, or otherwise comes to the entrant’s attention.
7.4. If the notification email is returned as undeliverable, or if no valid response is received within 48 hours, the selected entrant will forfeit the prize.
7.5. Where a prize is forfeited, boom saloon will select another eligible entrant at random from the remaining valid entries for the relevant prize period.
7.6. The replacement winner will be subject to the same notification and 48-hour acceptance process.
7.7. A prize cannot be transferred to another person before or after it has been accepted.
8. Accommodation and use of the prize
8.1. The accommodation is provided by the Hugo Burge Foundation (“Accommodation Provider”), which is responsible for providing the cottage for the relevant prize period.
8.2. The winner will have exclusive use of the cottage for their allocated three-night prize period.
8.3. The winner is responsible for ensuring that any guest they bring complies with all applicable accommodation rules, instructions and reasonable requirements of the Accommodation Provider.
8.4. The winner must not use the accommodation for any commercial purpose, event, party or other activity that is inconsistent with its intended residential and recreational use.
8.5. Pets are not permitted.
8.6. The winner and their guests must comply with any reasonable rules, safety requirements, check-in/check-out requirements and other terms imposed by the Accommodation Provider.
8.7. The accommodation is an older property and may not be suitable for people with certain accessibility or mobility requirements. Entrants are responsible for satisfying themselves that the accommodation and location are suitable for their individual needs before accepting the prize.
8.8. boom saloon does not make any representation or warranty regarding the accessibility, suitability, condition or facilities of the accommodation beyond the description expressly provided in these Terms and Conditions.
9. Travel, insurance and additional costs
9.1. The winner is entirely responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel to and from the accommodation.
9.2. boom saloon will not reimburse, contribute towards or otherwise pay any travel costs incurred by the winner or their guests under any circumstances.
9.3. This includes, without limitation, flights, trains, buses, taxis, private hire vehicles, car hire, fuel, parking, tolls, transfers and any accommodation required before or after the prize period.
9.4. The winner and their guests are responsible for obtaining any travel, cancellation, personal accident, medical, contents or other insurance they consider appropriate.
9.5. boom saloon does not provide insurance for the winner or their guests and accepts no responsibility for arranging or paying for any insurance.
9.6. The winner and their guests are responsible for all food, drink, personal expenses and other costs incurred during the retreat.
9.7. Any visa, passport, immigration, health, travel or other requirements applicable to the winner or their guests are entirely their own responsibility.
10. Damage and personal belongings
10.1. The winner is responsible for any loss of or damage to the accommodation or its contents caused by the winner or any person accompanying them, except to the extent that such loss or damage is caused by the negligence or other legal responsibility of the Accommodation Provider or another person.
10.2. The winner must report any material damage or loss to the Accommodation Provider as soon as reasonably practicable.
10.3. boom saloon accepts no responsibility for loss, theft, damage or destruction of any personal property belonging to the winner or their guests.
11. Cancellation, substitution and circumstances beyond our control
11.1. boom saloon intends to provide the prize as described in these Terms and Conditions.
11.2. However, if circumstances beyond boom saloon’s reasonable control make it impossible or impracticable to provide the prize on the advertised dates, boom saloon reserves the right, where reasonably necessary, to:
- rearrange the prize or prize period;
- substitute the prize with another prize of a reasonably equivalent nature and value; or
- cancel the relevant prize where no reasonable alternative is available.
11.3. Where the prize is rearranged or substituted, boom saloon will use reasonable efforts to provide an alternative that is comparable in nature and value.
11.4. The winner will not be entitled to a cash alternative at their request.
11.5. boom saloon will not reimburse any travel, accommodation, insurance, food or other costs incurred by a winner or guest in connection with a rearranged, substituted or cancelled prize, except where required by law.
11.6. Circumstances beyond our reasonable control may include, without limitation, the accommodation becoming unavailable or unsafe, damage to or closure of the property, severe weather, natural disaster, fire, epidemic or pandemic, government action or restriction, industrial action, transport disruption, security concerns, or the withdrawal or unavailability of the Accommodation Provider.
12. Liability
12.1. Participation in the prize draw and acceptance or use of the prize are at the entrant’s and winner’s own risk, subject always to the rights and protections that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
12.2. To the maximum extent permitted by law, boom saloon accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss, damage, cost, expense, delay, inconvenience, disappointment or other consequence arising from:
- entering or attempting to enter the prize draw;
- any failure, interruption or technical issue affecting the entry process;
- travelling to or from the accommodation;
- the winner’s or any guest’s use of the accommodation;
- any act or omission of the Accommodation Provider or any other third party;
- loss, theft or damage to personal belongings;
- illness, injury or other personal circumstances, except where boom saloon is legally responsible;
- cancellation, postponement, alteration or substitution of the prize; or
- any other matter arising in connection with the prize draw or prize,
except to the extent that such liability cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
12.3. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
12.4. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions affects any statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.
13. Publicity and winner information
13.1. The winners will be announced by surname and county or region on the boom saloon website and/or social media channels.
13.2. By entering, entrants acknowledge that, if selected as a winner, boom saloon may publish the winner’s surname and county or region for the purpose of demonstrating that a valid prize draw has taken place.
13.3. boom saloon will not photograph or film the winners as a condition of receiving the prize.
14. Personal data
14.1. Personal information provided when entering the prize draw will be used to administer the prize draw, verify eligibility, contact selected winners and otherwise manage the award of the prize.
14.2. Personal information will be handled in accordance with boom saloon’s Privacy Policy.
14.3. The prize draw entry form may be hosted using Google Forms. Entrants should review the relevant Google privacy information in addition to boom saloon’s Privacy Policy.
15. General
15.1. boom saloon reserves the right to disqualify any entry that it reasonably considers to be fraudulent, abusive, incomplete, misleading or otherwise in breach of these Terms and Conditions.
15.2. boom saloon reserves the right to amend, suspend or withdraw the prize draw only where this becomes necessary due to exceptional circumstances beyond its reasonable control, or where required to comply with applicable law or regulation.
15.3. Any amendment will not materially disadvantage entrants who have already entered, except where this is unavoidable in the circumstances.
15.4. These Terms and Conditions are available to entrants throughout the prize draw period.
15.5. If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found by a court or other competent authority to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, that provision will be treated as modified or removed to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
15.6. These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between boom saloon and each entrant in relation to the prize draw, except where expressly stated otherwise or where additional terms are imposed by law.
16. Governing law and jurisdiction
16.1. These Terms and Conditions and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them shall be governed by the law of Scotland.
16.2. Subject to any mandatory rights available to consumers under applicable law, the courts of Scotland shall have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions or the prize draw.
17. Promoter
BOOM SALOON LIMITED
Company number: SC529161
Station House
Tynehead
EH37 5XS
Prize accommodation provider: Hugo Burge Foundation
The Hugo Burge Foundation
Lower Powerhouse Studio
Marchmont Estate
Duns, TD10 6YL
Competition opening date: 7 October 2026
Competition closing date: 8 December 2026
Prize dates: Monday 18 January 2027 to Wednesday 20 January 2027; and Friday 22 January 2027 to Sunday 24 January 2027.
