Merry Christmas from Briar Cottages, Lochearnhead, Scotland

Wee Santa at the loch garden gates with Little Briar and Briar Cottage behind

Wee antique santa and Aphrodite in Briar Cottages garden Loch Earn

Merry Christmas and thank you to everyone who stayed at Briar Cottages Lochearnhead and those who left a TripAdvisor review sharing photographs  and experiences here during 2012.







Thanks to everyone who is coming back to see us during their favourite week or special occasion for a holiday or short break in 2013 too.

Are you aware that 2013 is "Year of Natural Scotland"? Those of you who have visited will know that there are few places as natural and unspoilt as this area. Scottish tourism was born around here thanks to visitors like Sir Walter Scott, Queen Victoria and William and Dorothy Wordsworth who spread the word throughout Britain and the world, making others curious about this magical landscape of lochs, towering mountains, ancient forests and wildlife. We are lucky to have very little light pollution here and around other parts of The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park too.

It is not too early to enquire about 2014. Especially with big events planned for Scotland. The Ryder Cup 2014 takes place at Gleneagles Golf Course, Auchterrarder,  over the weekend of 26-28th September 2014.  Anyone staying here week 20th-27th September 2014 or 27th September to 4th October 2014 might want to get tickets for the exciting event which is taking place only 40 mins by car from here. We are lucky to have St Fillans golf club and a choice of other golf courses nearby, e.g. Killin, Comrie, Crieff, Muthill, Callander.  Briar Steading our luxury cottage shows Sky Sports so anyone staying there can still watch the Ryder Cup or catch up with the highlights. 

If you are planning to go the The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow,  it is only 60 miles to Glasgow taking no more than 90 minutes from here.  From Glasgow travel 30 miles on the M9 to Stirling junction 10 and 30 miles on the A84 all the way to Lochearnhead- easy.  So if you want a holiday week and plan to fit the Commonwealth Games into your itinerary this might be the place for you. You can even drive to Stirling, take a train to Glasgow and park your car at the train station all day for £3.50.  The Commonwealth Games take place in Glasgow from 23rd July to 3rd August 2014. 

Then there is Homecoming Scotland.  Visit Scotland and Event Scotland are planning to rally as many people with Scottish blood back to the country to engage in events, trace their family history and celebrate all things Scottish.  If you are into genealogy you might want to keep an eye on planned events. We have a history of McLarens who lived in Briar Cottage for 200 years as well as McGregors who lived here under the pseudonym of Murray.  My maiden name is Donald and thanks to my dad I am aware of links to hundreds of other people and surnames through my grandparents.  Incredibly, this includes a  Janet McLaren my 7 times great grandmother born in 1690 in this region and also McNabs who hid Bonnie Prince Charlie!  I plan to blog more about my mix of ancestors next year.

Of course we have our own special "Annual Events in Lochearnhead" e.g.

• The Great boat race -April
• The Lochearn Shears championships- July
• The BLS Highland Games, Lochearnhead –July
• WakeScot, wakeboarding championships – August
• The Balquhidder/Lochearnhead/Strathyre Horticultural show –August
• The Lochearnhead village Fete- August
• The Loch Earn open water swimming race- September
• The Lochearnhead New Year village party- December

Do not hesitate to get in touch with Fraser or me with any queries and have a lovely Christmas break with your families and loved ones.

Kim and Fraser

 

 

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