Happy New Year From Kim and Fraser
In the Year of Homecoming Scotland 2014
.jpg) |
| Briar Cottages Loch Garden January Sunrise - Lochearnhead, Scotland |
Both of our self catering cottages were full over Christmas and New Year. We had a busy week of parties, concerts, our village hall Hogmanay hop and Briar Cottages annual January 1st BBQ (with the help of our double garage for shelter and heat this year). Thankfully MHOR84 bar and restaurant kept open all winter. A welcoming lively stopping place offering tasty food all day. Under the guidance of famous chef Tom Lewis; fresh, reared, baked and grown ingredients are used in recipes. Thursday is folk night with an ever changing line up of musicians.
The popular venue attracts walkers, country sports enthusiasts, holidaymakers, journalists plus a few famous faces. Last week Gordon Buchanan was spotted there, filming in the area. He is quite famous following his amazing TV serious "The Bear Family and Me". I know many people who use his line "it's me bear" when trying to make peace with another human being! He also filmed polar bears as part of The BBC Frozen Planet series. I hope that he finds this section of The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and our amazing wildlife equally beautiful to film. Another film maker and photographer Tom Walker has been in the area. I am more than impressed with his landscape photography and am curious to know when and where we can see the results of whatever he is working on.
The popular venue attracts walkers, country sports enthusiasts, holidaymakers, journalists plus a few famous faces. Last week Gordon Buchanan was spotted there, filming in the area. He is quite famous following his amazing TV serious "The Bear Family and Me". I know many people who use his line "it's me bear" when trying to make peace with another human being! He also filmed polar bears as part of The BBC Frozen Planet series. I hope that he finds this section of The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and our amazing wildlife equally beautiful to film. Another film maker and photographer Tom Walker has been in the area. I am more than impressed with his landscape photography and am curious to know when and where we can see the results of whatever he is working on.
 |
| Mhor84 Motel, Restaurant and Bar, Balquhidder |
MHOR84 displayed a magnificent 4ft long Christmas cake in a glass cabinet from mid December. Every time I popped in it was at least a foot shorter (not guilty, but what a lovely fantasy). We get our Christmas cake made every year by a local lady, Carol. Sorry mum but it is the best home made Christmas cake ever. Full of cherries and goodies and we are not sure if you are allowed to drive after eating a slice. Once opened it gets eaten very quickly in case the alcohol evaporates.
 |
| The Golden Larches Restaurant and Cafe A84 |
The Golden larches restaurant a couple of miles from Briar Cottages on the A84 at Balquhidder Station, stays open for long weekends in winter too. They also offer take away food and beverages which makes them our nearest chippie. So our guests had a lovely choice of places to eat, drink and hear live music near by. The Clachan Cottage Hotel is 150m from our door. Amanda and Robert in the Lochearnhead Hotel (200m) take a well earned break with the family in winter and will open up again in February.
We are lucky having a taxi and tour service in the village. The business Highland Glen Travel is run by Lochearnhead locals George and Helen (Cunningham). They can offer bespoke tours or a list of routes to choose. They also operate the local Demand Responsive Taxi service. This means that you can travel to local villages between 9am and 9pm in a private hire vehicle for the same price as the bus. You can also hire a coach or taxi via Kingshouse Travel who operate the local bus service too.
Shopping Deliveries: Tesco and Sainsbury's now deliver groceries to luxury Briar Steading and pet friendly Little Briar cottage in addition to ASDA. So if you are thinking of a break you can plan your shopping ahead of schedule and have your goods delivered on arrival. We can help out by putting fridge and freezer goods away in the event of any travel delays.
The exciting buzz and news in the area is the opening of The Loch Earn Brewery. Oh yes. We will have our own local micro brewery lovingly producing "Loch Earn Beer". Arran Brewery has bought the Drummond Hotel looking over Loch Earn at the east end in St Fillans. The owners are planning a micro brewery and visitor centre, 3 restaurants; including native chef made dishes that use Loch Earn Beer and 2 bars including a sushi bar. Word has it that they will produce a Scottish Saki too. The owners have the keys, the drinks licence and they have already employed a manager and some staff. They plan to open in April 2014. Fingers crossed that they meet their target. Can't wait to travel there by car, bus, taxi or our boat (They have a jetty in the loch garden too).
 |
| Creagan House Strathyre owned by Master Chef, Gordon Gunn and his wife Cherry |
Master Chef: Gordon Gunn owner of Creagan House restaurant (in Strathyre 3.5 miles from Lochearhead A84) became a Master Chef last year. Together with his wife Cherry, the couple secured a "Taste our Best" quality assurance accreditation too. The scheme recognises businesses that promote Scottish produce and offer first quality food and drink. A minimum of 40% of the menu must be Scottish produce. Guests dine in a Baronial style hall and the fixed price menu's are exceptional value. Creagan House also features in The Trenchermans Guide
 |
| Merida Doll at The Highland Games in Lochearnhead |
Bannockburn Live is one of the many Homecoming Scotland Events. It takes place 28-30th June. A new visitor centre has been built in Bannockburn 2 miles south of Stirling. This promises 3D battle re-enactments, feasts and more. The result of the battle is the least interesting part. The concept is to give visitors a real sense of what life was like, as though you have gone back to that era. There will also be a parade with thousands of pipers and more. National Armed Forces Day takes place on the same weekend. I am not sure if it is a wise decision to have two major events on the same weekend but it will certainly be busy and a challenge for tourism businesses. The Commonwealth Games will be under way in Glasgow July 23rd to August 3rd. Fraser and I are delighted to have secured tickets for one of the athletics days and we have some guests taking a break up here in addition to visiting the games. The Ryder Cup 2014 golf event is huge and the world will be watching. It take place 45 minutes from here in Gleneagles, Auchterarder. We are delighted to have had both self catering cottages booked for a while. A national crime writing festival and many other events information can be found here.
 |
| Rare pic of Fraser fishing in garden, Loch Earn! |
 |
| Ducklings hatched at Briar Cottages |
 |
| bench near slipway, Briar Cottages |
Much to look forward to. The fishing season starts March 15 Mallards will pair and seek a place to hatch their ducklings on our grounds while we wait for the return of the Osprey pairs.
 |
| Slipway Briar Cottages |
Wishing you all the best for the forthcoming seasons. Please get in touch 01567 030 443 if we can quote for holiday cottage availability or with any questions about the cottages and area. Dates are booking up earlier than usual due to the number of events in Scotland and demand for self catering holidays.
 |
| Front garden, jetty, summer house on Loch Earn, Briar Cottages |
Briar Cottages
Lochearnhead
FK19 8PU
T: 01567 830 443
M: 07917 416 497
Twitter @Briarcottages
To celebrate Homecoming 2014 and Scotland's special events programme, we are offering Briar Steading guests a bottle of Prosecco with chocolates for any 3 to 14 nights booked, before 31st January. If you are thinking about a first or return visit, secure your preferred dates with a deposit before 1st February. This applies to any 3-14 nights throughout 2014 that are currently available.
.
