Scots Magazine Features Loch Earn Tourist Villages and Personalities

It was my great pleasure to accompany D C Thomson & Co Ltd  journalist Garry Fraser on a tour of the four villages around Loch Earn in July on behalf of The Loch Earn Tourism Initiative (LETI) of which I am a member.  Garry Fraser was considering material for a story in The Scots Magazine.

August edition of The Scots Magazine

LETI members support each other in looking after visitors and in  promoting local  events, services, private tours, Perthshire holiday accommodation and places to eat and drink via website www.robroycountry.com .  I drove Garry around Loch Earn to the picturesque villages of St Fillans, Strathyre, Balquhidder and Lochearnhead visiting many points of interest and covering local stories and folklore. We visited St Fillans Golf Club (Sandy Lyle's favourite inland golf course), the entrance to majestic Munro Ben Vorlich from Ardvorlich House,  Edinample Falls and bridge beside Edinample Castle, Glen Ample (where Diana Rigg once lived with SAS founder David Stirling's brother Archie),  Balquhidder Kirk which houses stories of famous visitors including Queen Victoria and William and Dorothy Wordsworth and where Rob Roy MacGregor is buried,  Sula Soft Furnishings new workshop,  The Lochearnhead Hotel and The Lochearnhead Water Sports Centre.  We discussed ancient pine forests, the drove roads, fairy stories, the close knit community, wild camping, The Highland Games, the annual sheep shearing event and The Black Face Sheep trophy,   The Villagers newspaper, The Lochearnhead Water Sports Centre, fishing, history of the first person to water ski on Loch Earn, local Munro's, ospreys on Loch Earn and so much more.  The result was a four page feature in the August edition of the magazine with a quote from yours truly and a photo of Fraser and me in front of Briar Holiday Cottages.    Garry returned to interview local personalities including Loch Earn's resident sea plane flying instructor and The president of The BLS Highland Games. This time a seven page feature was published in the September issue. The front cover is a fantastic photo of the local red sea plane taking off at the water sports centre. The shot was taken by local photographer Alistair Barclay of Alba Virtual Tours.



September issue of The Scots Magazine



 A two page teaser view of the September issue can be seen on the Scots Magazine website. 

 

I have been very impressed with the quality of articles and the people that are interviewed for The Scots Magazine. I am about to order three 2013 calendars for relatives in Canada and America and am now planning a subscription for a family member for Christmas.  

NB: For a self catering holiday cottage on Loch Earn for Christmas or New Year visit www.stayatbriar.co.uk .


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New Lochearnhead Circular Bus Journey linking Breadalbane and Strathearn Country



Loch Earn, Lochearnhead on The Ring of Breadalbane Explorer route

A new summer tourist bus "The Ring of Breadalbane Explorer" will offer holiday cottage guests of  Briar Cottages self catering in Lochearnhead and holidaymakers in the surrounding regions a fantastic opportunity to be driven around some of the most scenic routes,  popular attractions and mountains in this naturally beautiful area. The bus service started by The Breadalbane Co-operative will be operated by Kingshouse Travel of Balquhidder.  The hop on and off service links Lochearnhead, Killin, Kenmore, Weem, Aberfeldy, Crieff, Comrie and St Fillans together for the very first time,  in one continuous loop.   The area will have tremendous appeal to visitors who can leave the car behind and explore, eat and do outdoor sports at their leisure covering a large territory of Perthshire and Stirlingshire for just £9 a day or £15 for a 2 day ticket.  Its great news for locals too!  Whether you are into sight seeing and exploring, photography, eating,  walking,  cycling, wildlife watching,  munro bagging or fishing, each of the points along the route offers plenty to see and do including; the Rob Roy Way, The Lochearnhead Water Sports centre, fishing points, hotels, Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin,  Cycle Route 7, The falls of Dochart, village walks, Killin Golf Club, Ben Lawers and its Hotel, The Crannog centre and oldest Inn in Scotland at Kenmore,  Highland Safaris, gold panning and a deer centre near Weem, The Birks of Aberfeldy, A stunning drive through the Small Glen past Amulree,  The Glenturrett Whisky Distillery and visitor centre at Crieff,  Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre and coffee shop at Comrie, Boat Hire, hotels and a Golf Club at St Fillans - then back to Lochearnhead.   These are just a few of the attractions that each area has to offer.  I cant wait to try it myself.  Launching on 17th July 2012 there will be six circular journeys per day offered 4 days per week and the full circle is estimated to take 3 hours.   There will be leaflets in Briar Steading and Little Briar Cottages here for our guests however more details of the timetable can be accessed by facebook users at  http://www.facebook.com/breadalbaneexplorer now. 

The service will run throughout the summer  on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays until 16th September for this year.  Dont forget your cameras folks!

TripAdvisor 2012 Winner and Certificate of Excellence 5 out of 5 for Briar Cottages, Lochearnhead

Fraser and I are delighted to have received a "2012 Winner" Certificate Of Excellence rated 5.0 out of 5.0 for Briar Cottages from TripAdvisor for the second year running.  We would like to say a huge thank you to all of our guests who have taken time to give us feedback; verbally, in our guest book and on review sites like TripAdvisor.  We are aware of the time that it takes and that your descriptions, suggestions and photographs help other people decide on accommodation that is best suited to their parties number, budget, requirements and taste.  TripAdvisor is an excellent forum which we use ourselves and it encourages businesses like ours to keep working at improving our facilities and services.

We received a letter of congratulations from Christine Petersen, The President of TripAdvisor for Business that we would like to share with you as follows: "

Director
Briar Cottages
Lochearnhead
FK19 8PU
United Kingdom

The Certificate of Excellence
A Testament to Your High Standards

TripAdvisor has become the worlds largest travel site by recognising the power of travellers feedback and today, we're proud to recognise Briar Cottages for earning exceptional ratings over the past year.

The certificate of Excellence honours businesses that consistently earn top ratings from TripAdvisor travellers.

With a rating of 5.0, Briar Cottages has earned a place among the very best

This award, which is given only to the most exceptional performers in TripAdvisor's global business community, is a significant achievement deserving recognition, from both travellers and staff. We hope that you will proudly display the enclosed certificate for everyone to see....

Congratulations again and we look forward to working with you to build a successful 2012.

Best wishes

Christine Petersen
President, TripAdvisor for Business "

______________________________________

Our very best wishes


Kim and Fraser
http://www.stayatbriar.co.uk/
Twitter @Briarcottages
01567 830 443



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Self catering Scotland - Free fishing season begins in Lochearnhead March 15th, Briar Cottages

Fishing is inclusive when you book a holiday cottage at Briar Cottages in Lochearnhead. You don't need a permit to fish from our loch garden when you  stay here.  The season for trout fishing in Scotland starts again on March 15th 2011.  The loch will come alive with people, vehicles, wild life, birds and sea planes. First the keen fishing folk will wild camp or stay in a caravan on the south side or book up cottages, lodges and B&B's on the North side.  Some will bring their own gear and others will hire tackle from the Lochearnhead Post Office, the Store in St Fillans or from Drummond Estates boat hire and fishery a couple of miles along the road.  You can hire gear and a fishing boat there. 

Guests can fish from our jetty, slipway and along the 250ft length of our loch garden without a permit.  The local shops keep maggots and floats.  If you want to fish out on the loch in a boat you will need to buy a permit from the village shop or post office.  Guests can bring their own small boat, launch it and use the moorings whether staying in Little Briar Cottage or our new luxury cottage Briar Steading. There is plenty of room here for a small boat trailer and a couple of cars to be parked.  Gradually the loch will have a variety of would-be fish catchers including men, women and children as well as otters,  herons and returning pairs of Osprey. 

According to Drummond Estates you don't need fancy flies to catch trout around here. 

Maggots and a float with a rod positioned around the edge of the loch seems to work well.  Fishermen are often accused of exaggerating but it is well documented that 5-20lb trout have been caught in Loch Earn and I have seen  brown and rainbow trout, salmon, arctic char and an eel being hooked and landed in my garden.   

       

If you are keen on fishing get booked up now and look out for accommodation with fishing facilities.  If you have never tried fishing and would like to have  a go just ask to borrow Fraser's rod and try it. The season ends October 6th 2011 so there is plenty of time to book up.  Happy fishing.    

Phenomonal Loch Earn offers seiching tides, boat races and other unique events

Loch Earn has a seiching tide.  Not a tide that moves with the sun and moon and it does not cause the loch to rise and fall either. The seiching phenomenon has something to do with the prevailing wind. Seiching happens in other lakes like Garda, Baikal, Eirie and has also been reported in Scotlands, Loch Treig.  As a guest, you can fish for trout free from our loch garden at Briar Cottages in Perthshire. You may experience the seiching as your float moves subtly right and then left over a 16 hour period. The water often looks calm like the photo above taken last week at the end of April; especially early in the morning and later in the evening. At other times the pseudo waves can be quite choppy. The beauty of the location is that the loch state, colours, weather and seasons are ever changing and no two days seem alike.  The setting sun had Glen Ample glowing behind Edinample Castle the other night yet there is still a bit of snow high on the hill tops.  Before long, the glen and surrounding hills will start to turn green as the grassy hues become richer. Whatever the weather, the loch and its backdop make a unique and magical venue for scheduled events like the Great Loch Earn Boat race, The Loch Earn 6.5 mile and 1 mile open water swim competitions,  the SAA water plane splash in and Wake Scot water ski and wakeboarding contests.

 The Great Loch Earn boat race was held on Loch Earn on 25th April, organised by the Crieff round table. 13 boats with teams of 4 set out from the Lochearnhead Cafe, rowing six and a half miles to St Fillans in aid of charity.  The loch was kind to them however the weather was misty and cool. Contestants gathered at the recently refurbished Achray House Hotel in St Fillans afterwords for some well earned sustenance and the prize giving ceremony.  How wonderful it is to be able to view these unique loch events from our front garden.

Aeroplanes take off and land in Lochearnhead, Scotland, in spite of volcanic ash

Are you aware of the landing strip in Lochearnhead? We were possibly the only village in the UK with air traffic on the 17th and 18th April 2010 when all other aircraft were grounded due to volcanic ash disruption.  Air craft were flying in abundance here....albeit the pilots were grounded!  I am  referring to the magnificent Scottish Aeromodeller Association members who fly radio controlled water planes.  SAA  members usually descend on Lochearnhead twice a year equipped with  caravans, family, deck chairs, tool kits and a fascinating array of model planes in all shapes, sizes, colours, ages and abilities.  Onlookers were amazed at the skills involved.  In turn the members made their pride and joy,  twist and turn and land with  effortless precision on the water. I met member Colin McLean who had organised the event. His magnificent flying machine is pictured above. He informed me that the group will make a return visit to Lochearnhead on October 9th and 10th, 2010. An event not to be missed. Our holiday cottage guests can either go to the Lochearnhead cafe to see them or watch from our loch garden.

 

Loch Earn is also the regular runway for Locheanhead's resident sea plane pilot Neil, who owns the Lochearnhead Cafe.  Unfortunately, Neil does not offer leisure trips; he  teaches qualified pilots to land on water. Little Briar Cottage guests love it when Neil's red plane is in the air,  adding to the magic of the surroundings facing south from the deck, with Loch Earn, Glen Ample and Edinample castle as the backdrop . 

Weather or not to book holiday accommodation in Lochearnhead

Thank you to everyone who contacted us to enquire whether or not our holiday cottage in Scotland is knee deep in snow and out of electricity. Don't worry! This is Lochearnhead. The village seems to have its own wee magical micro climate and I am beginning to wonder if the fairy knoll in the Lochearnhead games field plays a part in our protection. We feel a little guilty that friends in Aberfeldy and Auchterarder have been reporting 2ft of snow or more. We had a light snow fall of an inch and a half making the village really pretty from Tuesday last week. There has not been a flicker of a difference to our electric supply. There really is something magical about the weather when you are staying in Lochearnhead. Maybe it is the towering hills back and front that shelter us. Maybe it's our south facing position at Briar Cottage and our holiday cottage Little Briar. I am in no doubt that a big factor is the A84 and A85 road gritting team. They are so thorough and attentive that we have never even seen snow landing on the main roads all winter. Also, they are extremely courteous and pull in to let the traffic past at every opportunity. So, we have been enjoying the picturesque scenery of snow (and deer) covered Glen Ample opposite; yet we have been traveling on the roads to neighbouring towns and villages without inconvenience. Our guests prior to last week took a picture of Fraser on his tractor in the paddock. Last weeks guests went walking in the snow and today the garden lawn on Loch Earn is green again with the daffodil stems well on their way.   By all means spare a thought for those who have been out of electricity, deep in snow or sleeping in their cars but please don't feel sorry for us here in Lochearnhead. Oh.....and please don't tell anyone about our smart and efficient road gritters in case someone poaches them!

PS: Easter week 10th-17th April is currently available (Little Briar self  catering cottage Perthshire sleeps up to 4 in 1 double and 1 twin bedroom@ £500 -Call me (Kim) or Fraser 01567 830 443 to enquire or book )

Eventful Villages around Loch Earn

Daffy Ducks chicks never made it. Not one of them! We bought these metal chicks at the Scottish Game Fair in Scone and have popped them on top of the hot tub roof as a memorial.

The Lochearnhead Highlands Games and WakeScot are over for another year however we still have the village Fete in Lochearnhead to look forward to on the 16th August and Festive Weekend in St Fillans at the other end of Loch Earn from the 14th. St Fillans hosts a real mix of family fun in their 3 day event with a mini highland games, a hog roast,cricket, ladies netball a jazz band and more. A great day for the kids before school term starts again. Throughout August and September there are various live music events in the area, with folk, jazz, rock bands and DJ's appearing in various venues. September sees the horticulture show in Strathyre village hall on the 5th, the Gents golf open in St Fillans and the The Loch Earn 6.5 mile open water swimming event on the glorious 12th, a jazz buffet at Tullybannocher Cafe on the 18th and the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Doors Open Day on the 19th and 20th. The National Park organises Doors Open Day to give everyone a peak at unusual or interesting buildings that are not usually open to the public. Guests at Little Briar Holiday Cottage get to see inside our house "Briar Cottage", however we will be opening the lounge to anyone who would like to see our cruck timber ceiling, i.e., 2 trees holding up the thatched roof in the old byre of our 17th century renovated longhouse where centuries of McLarens and McGregors have tread before us! Pop in.

Wisteria Hysteria, Lochearnhead, Scotland

Holiday makers in Lochearnhead, Perthshire often ask us how we get our Wisteria to flower every year on the west gable of Briar Cottage. We would love to respond à la BBC Scotland's Beechgrove Garden presenters, quoting Latin names, advising on pruning techniques and extolling the virtues of PH balanced soil, however, the truth is that they just appear. My husband Fraser does "chop" the plant back and we do water it after hot sunny days however I think that we are simply lucky to have inherited a healthy plant that enjoys its location and position. Well, it does grow on a 300 year old thatched stone cottage with stunning views over Loch Earn and the surrounding hills and forests so why wouldn't it? Beats "Wisteria Lane" any day.

Whats On Events in Lochearnhead, Perthshire, Scotland

If you have never visited Lochearnhead in Perthshire, Scotland then you are missing out on some spectacular events in the area. We tell guests at Little Briar Holiday Cottage to check "what’s on" in the local villages. Whether you are self catering for a week, having a short break or just out for the day it is worth checking "The Villagers" newspaper and the on-line events calendar at www.robroycountry.com. There is something to suit everyone from The Loch Earn 6.5m and 1 mile Crannog Open water Swim, "Splash In" radio controlled water plane demonstrations over Loch Earn, disco's and live bands, painting, floral art and quilting exhibitions, an eclectic mix of music recitals, the Lochearnhead Fete, strawberry tea parties, Scotland’s premier wakeboarding contest, beer festivals, theatre performances, charity events, pool contests, food festivals, pub quizzes, hill races, horticulture shows, the Lochearnhead Highland Games, and the Lochearnhead Shears sheep shearing contest as well as Halloween, Christmas and Hogmanay Parties. In addition Lochearnhead and the surrounding villages of Balquhidder, Strathyre and St Fillans host classes in their community halls like; upholstery, ballroom dancing, oil painting, yoga, youth club, parent and toddler groups and keep fit. Visitors and holidaymakers are welcome to join in. So if you are visiting Little Briar Cottage at www.stayatbriar.co.uk or happen to be in the area around Lochearnhead check out www.robroycountry.com to plan in local events.

Little Briar Holiday Cottage view of Briar Cottage being re-thatched in Lochearnhead, Scotland

Little Briar Holiday cottage guests are delighted this week to have the best view of our 17th century cottage in Lochearnhead which is having part of its roof re-thatched over the original byre(now our lounge)that boasts a single cruck timber framed ceiling on the inside. Master Thatcher Peter Brugge and his team, Stan and Mr W, have done the stripping and are now rebuilding the new reed layer by layer. It really is a work of art. Little Briar holiday cottage is elevated behind our 17th century thatched cottage boasting the best views over Loch Earn to Edinample castle and Glen Ample, the best view of local pilot Neil taking off and landing his sea plane dodging the waterskiers at weekends and for the next 3 weeks a novelty extra while the master Thatcher's weave their magic. The original inhabitants of Briar Cottage were McGregors who lived under the pseudonym Murray because using the name McGregor was a capital offence at the time. We know from Parish records that they had a baby in 1727. Later it belonged to the Duke of Breadalbane(descended from Campbells)followed by two centuries of McLarens. Isobella McLaren changed the name to Briar Cottage around 1900 from its original name Easter Achraw. I am sure that these ancient families would be proud of the restoration work to improve the thatched roof and to know that the original rings that tied up their byre animals are still secure in the wall. Little Briar cottage guests will always be welcome to view the cruck ceiling room in Briar Cottage(see www.stayatbriar.co.uk). It is amazing to think that the cruck timbers were around when Rob Roy McGregor was in his prime.

April Boat race and "Splash In" on Loch Earn, Perthshire

Briar Cottage is having part of its roof re-thatched in April which will be a novelty for guests at Little Briar holiday cottage as well as the locals and visitors to the area. April guests will also be able to witness 2 spectacular events on Loch Earn in Lochearnhead. On the 18th and 19th of April the Scottish Aeromodellers Association are having a "Splash In". Members will be showing off their radio controlled aeroplane flying skills with float planes of all sizes being flown above Loch Earn. Visitors are welcome. Just turn up at the Lochearnhead watersports and activities centre. I wonder how many will "splash in" as per the event title! Then on the 26th April the Loch Earn Boat Race takes place. This also starts at the waterpsorts centre. The charity row is organised by the Crieff round table. Anyone can take part at £80 per boat(supplied by Drummond Boats) and funds are awarded to Round Table nominated charities. The event starts off at the Watersports and Activities centre in Lochearnhead and Ends 7 miles down Loch Earn at St Fillans where the Achray Hotel supplies stovies to the rowers. These are both magnificent days out with Food and Drink available in the Watersports centre Cafe, two nearby hotels and the local village grocer.

A Host of Spring Daffodils at Briar Cottages, Lochearnhead, Perthshire

"Spring is here at last, dreary winter's past..." That old child hood song is going on in my head. Must be something to do with the daffodils in full bloom down the side of Briar Cottages slipway into Loch Earn. And there are more ready to burst out around Little Briar Holiday Cottage. The birds have started to sing in full voice and I don't know whats up with the mallards. They have changed from their usual feeding spot on the Loch Garden and now follow me around the two acre grounds. They have even been known to knock on the back door with their beaks. The clocks will change at the end of the month and then around the first of April we are having the "byre room" (now our lounge) re-thatched. That will be a spectacle for our April guests.

Scotlands descendants, come home to stunning panoramic views in Lochearnhead, Perthshire

Come home to Little Briar cottage in response to the governments "HOMECOMING SCOTLAND 2009" initiative. This charming holiday cottage is elevated on the 2 acre grounds of Briar Cottage, a 17th century thatched cottage with stunning views on the banks of Loch Earn facing south towards Glen Ample and Edinample Castle(once a Campbell stronghold).

This is an exceptionally beautiful part of west Perthshire and the Trossachs in the heart of Scotland. Famous for family names and septs of MacGregor, Ferguson, Stewart, McLaren, Neish, Campbell, McNab and MacIntyre amongst others. These lands have centuries of stories and folklore to boast.

Briar Cottage was first owned by a MacGregor, followed by the Duke of Breadalbane (descended from Campbells) and latterly McLarens. Clan chiefs of local families e.g. the Stewarts of Ardvorlich and the McLarens of Balquhidder still reside locally. They make an annual appearance at the Lochearnhead Highland games where families still do battle - albeit a well fought but innocent tug-of-war.

Little Briar holiday cottage is so central, that you can easily reach any of the homecoming party's and major attractions. Briar cottage comes with riparian rights which means that guests can fish for rainbow and brown trout from the loch garden with its jetty, slipway and garden furniture. There are 2 hotels within a 200 metre stroll, a watersports centre and cafe at 500 metres and a local shop and post office less than 1 mile from the garden gates. The area is ideal for walking, cycling, golf, water sports, history, folklore, wildlife, birds, flora, fauna, forest trails and relaxation.

Today the grounds are proudly owned by Fraser and Kim(nee Donald) Proven who will welcome you, invite you for a drink in the cruck room, show you around the 250ft loch garden and introduce you to their hot tub which you can arrange to use.

See www.stayatbriar.co.uk for tariff and availability, www.tripadvisor.com for guest comments, www.homecomingscotland.com for information on home coming events, www.incallander.co.uk for more detailed information on local history and folklore and www.robroycountry.com for alternative accommodation in Balquhidder, Strathyre, St Fillans and Lochearnhead.

NB Little Briar has a 4 star classification with Scottish-Country Cottages.

Rowing to Briar Cottages, Loch Earn, Perthshire

We wanted to test our new digital camera properly by taking photo's of Little Briar and Briar Cottages from Loch Earn. Our neighbour Richard to the rescue! He owns Scooby Watersports in Lochearnhead. Only 150 metres from our gates his shop is attached to the Clachan Hotel overlooking the loch. Very handy. He sells a wide range of wakeboards, ski's, wetsuits, drysuits, pontoon Boats, float Tubes and more. He also hires bikes out, which has been well appreciated by cycling enthusiasts holidaying in our cottage. Last week our guest family of 4 hired them to cycle along the path of the Old Callander to Oban railway line that was disbanded in 1965. It is part of national cycle route 7. They cycled Lochearnhead to Killin on their first visit in April and took on the more leisurely Lochearnhead to Balquhidder leg this time. Anyway, Richard let us test drive a rowing boat and we are pleased with our photos taken on a glorious November day in front of our 250ft loch garden and slipway. Cheers Richard!