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 . 

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.

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.

Free Wakeboarding spectacle in Lochearnhead

Lets hope its sunny for WakeScot 08 this weekend in Lochearnhead. Sunny days in Perthshire are glorious just now with falling leaves of red and gold and stags bellowing from the forests; a distinct sound that resonates around the hills surrounding Loch Earn. Little Briar cottage has had a busy year and is currently offering 3-4 night short break bookings for 4 people at £204.40 until 15th December (www.stayatbriar.co.uk). We will be telling this weekend’s guests about WakeScot 2008; a wakeboarding event run by Active Scotland, based at the Lochearnhead watersports centre. The weekend starts with a wakeboarding lesson at 10am on the 25th October. The U16's, rookies and open men and women’s competition is 2-4pm. Master Craft and Landrover will be showcasing some of their kit on Sunday 26th too and it’s all free to watch. No doubt Nicky and her crew at the Loch Side café within the centre will be even busier than usual. See www.activescotland.com for details.

Lochearnhead open water swim

Have you heard of the Loch Earn swim? We bumped into one of the participants yesterday who had travelled from Malta to take part. What a spectacle. A 6.5mile swim along the length of the loch from Lochearnhead village to St Fillans. It was a bit blowy on 13th September however each contestant had a boat re-hydrating and motivating them alongside. Our guests had an outstanding view from Little Briar Cottage. Today it was the 1 mile Crannog swim race. Contestants from junior to veteran start at the water sports activity centre in the village then swim out to the Crannog(now an island off the South side of the loch near Edinample Castle). They turn right to a yellow marker buoy then swim back to the start point. The water was flat calm with sunny spells and a high humidity. Perfect conditions. It was a good turn out with spectators cheering from the sides enjoying home baking,snacks and beverages at the water sports cafe. One of the spectators daughters had just arrived fresh from swimming to the west coast of Scotland from Carrick Fergus in Ireland arriving at Port Patrick 15 hours later! If you want to get into training for next years event in September then check out the website of "Ye Amphibious Ancients Bathing Association", who foster and support open water swimming and have done for 122 years. They keep a calendar for local open swim events including Loch Earn. The deadline for entry is about a month before the race so there is plenty of time to plan and prepare. See: www.yeaaba.btik.com. Little Briar cottage guests are welcome to spectate or train from our garden on the loch using the slipway and jetty. You are guaranteed outstanding views, see www.stayatbriar.co.uk.