Lochearnhead Luxury Cottages News Update 2013

www.stayatbriar.co.uk

Briar Cottages, Luxury and Pet Friendly

Self Catering Holiday Cottages Lochearnhead

News Update: Hello from Kim and Fraser

 

Sunset at Briar Cottages garden on Loch Earn 1st January 2013

 

How is your New Year so far? Our Merry Christmas flag came down weeks ago however we are still talking about the Lochearnhead Hogmanay dance and 1st of January BBQ at the garage. This year we had mulled wine, sausages, and curry. Our guests met neighbours around "Fraser's Bar". It was such a lovely clear night on the 1st Jan. The photo above was taken at sunset, then we lit fireworks from the loch garden. It is never too early to book for Christmas or New Year 2013. 

 

Short breaks and holiday weeks, 2013: Are there special birthday or anniversary dates that you would like to book at Briar Cottages? Easter, School holidays or Valentines? Book a holiday around a birthday and Fraser will raise the birthday flag! There is a Valentine's Party at The Lochearnhead Water Sports Centre on Friday, 15 February. Entry is £10 for a 2 course buffet and all drinks £2 or £10 for a bottle of wine. Tickets from yours truly. The following day, The Lochearnhead Hotel re-opens for the season with Dominoes Night Feb 16. All welcome. The Clachan Cottage Hotel's pub and restaurant are being refurbished and will open soon. You might consider booking around other key events like The Highland Games 20 July 2013.

 

Events: Look out for other great events around Loch Earn. This year sees the return of The formula 1 power boat skiing race weekend of 25/26 May, Strathyre's 1st Music Festival with 70 performers June 1 and 2, The World Black Face Sheep shearing Championships June 29/30, The BLS Highland Games Lochearnhead July 20, plus model aeroplane flying, The Great Boat Race Lochearnhead to St Fillans, Open Water Swimming, wake boarding contests, horticultural shows, summer music concerts, village Fete and more.

 

Wildlife Watching: This is "Year of Natural Scotland 2013" when we celebrate nature, landscapes, wildlife and the arts. In addition to driving, walking or cycling around beautiful lochs, forests and Munro's to spot wildlife, you can book with Tony from Natural Trossachs. He is based at the outdoor centre in Strathyre 4 miles away and can take you to squirrel, pine marten and badger hides to see and film creatures around their habitats. Excellent value including coffee and biscuits at the centre, www.naturaltrossachs.co.uk. If you prefer to be in a Landrover check Hidden Glen Safaris who will take you off the beaten track into Balquhidder Braes to look for pheasant, deer and eagles while you hear stories of Rob Roy MacGregor. If there are 4 of you owner Alan will pick you up first www.hiddenglensafaris.co.uk

 

 

Twitter: Do you tweet? My account name is @Briarcottages where you can follow whats going on at Briar Cottages and in the area.

Flickr: More snow pics at http://www.flickr.com/photos/33989514@N02

 

 

YouTube: If you have not viewed our YouTube videos please look here: http://www.youtube.com/user/stayatbriar1.  The latest images show Fraser sledging down our garden slopes in deep snow. This is the sort of activity that 70 year olds get up to in Lochearnhead.   NB: We are only 40 minutes from winter skiing at Glencoe from here too. Did you see Glencoe on the latest Bond Movie? A majestic place!

TripAdvisor We were awarded a 5 out of 5 certificate of excellence in 2012. Thanks to our lovely guests for sharing experiences and photos. It is never too late to comment. If you have experienced Briar Cottages and would like to share what you saw and where you ate, please leave any feedback or add photos and videos here: http://tinyurl.com/briarcottages .

Do get in touch if you would like us to quote a price for you and your family or friends or ask us any questions about Briar Cottages and the surrounding area.  We look forward to welcoming many of you back and to meeting new people. 

 

Kindest regards

 

 

 

Kim and Fraser Proven

Briar Cottages

Lochearnhead

FK19 8PU

http://www.stayatbriar.co.uk

http://stayatbriar.blogspot.com

 

Briar Cottages are open all year round.

Little Briar Cottage Gets a Makeover

Lounge from dining kitchen Little Briar

Double room faces south over Loch Earn

Glass dining table

Massage chair and Arie Vardi print

Can not believe it!  At the end of March it will be 4 years since we took Little Briar Cottage on Loch Earn  into our lives.  The detached stone cottage is cute and cosy and charming however we decided to treat it to a little makeover.  So, the sunny yellow walls are now a little more sophisticated in toasted almond.   We moved the large mirror behind the sofa to make the lounge look more spacious and reflect more light.  I love the curtains.  Cream, brown and "beige meets gold" with a lustre effect, all in horizontal stripes. We even changed the old wooden curtain poles to more modern black metal poles to set them off.   We placed a large Arie Vardi limited edition print called Running Wild,  behind the electric massage chair.  The print is set off by a chunky  cream coloured frame which works well.  New textured neutral shade cushions  on the leather lounge furniture finish it off nicely.  Guests who have been before will appreciate the difference.  Oh  and for those that remember the big bulky telly it is now a flat screen TV in the corner with Sky Freeview.  We have also put a new chiminee outside to burn logs in the garden.   2-4 guests can sleep in the pet friendly cottage.  Little Briar holiday cottage offers a double and a twin room with one bathroom and electric shower.  2 guests can bring up to 2 dogs and 4 guests can bring 1 pet.  Tel: Kim or Fraser to book 01567 830 443 or check our website for Lochearnhead Cottages.

Lounge windows face south

Luxury Self Catering Experience - 3 nights at Briar Steading for just £25 per head!



Stunning views south over Loch Earn from Briar Steading open lounge  



Late availability.  Briar Steading is available this Saturday 21st May for 3 nights only.  This is the perfect opportunity to try the new build luxury cottage for just £300 instead of the list price of £560.  That's only £25 per person per night if 2 couples or a family of 4 share. Both  bedrooms offer en suite bathrooms separated by a 26ft open living area.  Check in 4pm on the 21st May and check out 11am on the 24th. Sorry no pets.    Only 60 miles from Edinburgh and Glasgow.   30 miles on M9 to Junction 10 and then the A84 All the way to Lochearnhead. 

Integrated kitchen and dining area

Wall for sitting aound the fire pit looking to patio furniture

Self catering cottage guests can  fish from the garden, launch a small  boat and pick up a mooring.  There are  2 hotels and 2 water sports centres within 200m.  See Briar Cottages on Trip Advisor for latest reveiws. Phone Kim: 01567 830 443 now to book or with any other queries.

Happy New Year from Briar Cottages Scotland - for stargazers, wildlife watchers, romantics and those who like a wee dram at Hogmanay followed by a BBQ on the 1st January!

Happy New year from Kim and Fraser in bonnie Lochearnhead, Scotland.  A big thank you to everyone who stayed in Little Briar cottage in 2010 and to our first guests in our luxury holiday cottage,  Briar Steading over the festive period. The Hogmanay village party was a sell out. A good laugh and a few wee drams were had by all. We  are delighted that our guests have secured a booking for this years event.  Both couples can testify that we really do have a barbecue on 1st January outside in the loch garden.  We had fireworks this year too.  Anyone who enjoyed BBC Two Stargazing live will appreciate the location we are in.  There are no street lights polluting the natural light in our section of the road.  It means that you see everything on a clear night and can enjoy the moon rising and setting. You need the cottage torch on dark nights as it is pitch black without the moon, though temporary search lights do come on around the  cottages.  Fireworks are a spectacular contrast to the night skies over Loch Earn.  A friend bought multiple fireworks from Lidl this year. You only light them once and they pop off about 30 fireworks. I have to say that they were first class, excellent value and we would use them again.  For those of you who are aware that we have a 17th century thatched cottage on the grounds;  I promise we were careful!  Briar Steading is booked however Little Briar cottage  is there for the booking if you like a weeks holiday for 2-4 with a party atmosphere around New Year.   Any dogs would have to stay indoors for the fireworks bit of course.  

Winter has been glorious here.   Lochearnhead is stunning when the snow falls.   Fraser and  I could not resist trying out the sledge from the top of the garden.  I would encourage any age group to have a go. We have had regular visits from  a herd of deer and a stag this winter.  They come down in search of food and water when it gets colder.  I am a great fan of BBC Springwatch and Autumnwatch however they sometimes go off on a mission hoping for a glimpse of something.  Our  first guests sat looking out of the full length windows of Briar Steading and the deer came down most nights almost performing in front of them.  I wish I had a better camera, photogaphy skills and a webcam here.  Summer watch and winter watch are just as entertaining at Briar Cottages.  We can get close to the malard ducklings in spring.  They literally eat out of your hand as does the robin in winter. The robin gets very close to Fraser, usually because he is digging  up insects and worms as he weeds. It did fly  into our bedroom in the spring which is maybe a bit too familiar. A brave attempt but it failed to mark its territoy in our boudoir as we politely showed it the door... or was it the window.  An otter has been digging a shelter under our jetty stairs and ospreys catch fish in front of us on the loch all summer. Eagles, owls, red kites, cranes, red squirrels and other creatures can be spotted all year round.  This is a great venue for wildlife and bird watching throughout the picturesque seasons.  Now that Briar Steading is up and running we can concentrate on landscaping around it.  We have plans to put in some trees shrubs and flowers however we better double check that they are not in a deers top 10 favourite things to eat or it will be an annual event. 

  

If you are interested in booking  either or both cottages please check our website and do not hesitate to contact us with any questions briarinfo@btinternet.com,  Tel Kim or Fraser: 44 (0)1567 830 443, Mob: 07876 122 505, http://www.stayatbriar.co.uk/   

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 . 

Sledging at Little Briar Holiday Cottage in Perthshire

Our guests have been sledging! Little Briar's Christmas week guests welcomed the snow around the cottage. The family made good use of our circular sledge which usually lies in the hut. This week our New Year couple invited friends to join them and they used the sledge like a snow board, standing all the way. Very impressive! Fraser could not resist having a go too and spun around a little out of control but landed safely. Our neighbours son is a keen and talented snowboarder so we have invited him along to show us a trick or two with a real board.

The above 2 photos are by kind permission of guest Ruth Langdon.

I have not spotted any snow people on the grounds yet. I might have to build one or two myself before everything melts, though the cold spell is promising to keep the landscape looking white and gorgeous for a bit longer and into 2010. I am not sure if the local stags enjoy this weather but they do look magnificent with snow in the background. The roads up here have been terrific. Our gritters appear to be on the road at the slightest rumour of snow or ice. So we have been enjoying the snow in our gardens but have not been hindered on the roads travelling in and out of the surrounding villages and towns.

We are now looking forward to the New Year bash in the Lochearnhead village hall. New Year guests who are currently in our Perthshire cottage are given complimentary tickets to the village dance. We invite them to join us for an end of year drink in our lounge before we walk along together to the hall. We have just re-instated a real fire in our lounge which gives additional character to the 300 year old ex byre with its stone walls, thatched roof and cruck timber ceiling. We will be dancing in the village hall to the sounds of The Session. The three piece band were excellent last year starting with songs from the 1950's and working their way through the decades to the bells. Lochearnhead villagers do make visitors and guests feel very welcome.

A big thank you to everyone who visited Little Briar Cottage during 2009. I know that we will be seeing a few of you again in 2010 and we also look forward to meeting and greeting new visitors.

Briar Cottage enjoys new thatch thanks to Historic Scotland and Something Corny

Briar Cottage in Lochearnhead has a new reed thatch on the east end over the cruck timber ceiling in the byre room(now our lounge). Just in time too as the draughts in the winter were so bad that I could just about blow dry my hair on the inside. Thank you to Historic Scotland for awarding our B listed cottage a grant and to master thatcher Peter Brugge and his team for doing an excellent job. Elaine Lindsay from Something Corny (http://www.somethingcorny.co.uk/) in Inverurie also came up trumps when we challenged her to create straw finials in the shape of ducks in honour of resident mallard Daffy and her ducklings. We decided to place them on the west gable rather than the new section, in order that they could greet Little Briar holiday cottage guests entering the grounds. Anyone who would like a peek at our 17th century cruck timber ceiling should look out for the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Open Day on the 19th and 20th of September 2009.

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.

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.

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.