Wee Santa poses in the calm before the Storm

santa in the west loch garden, Loch Earn 

Happy New Year. Please look at these pictures of wee santa at Briar Cottages, Lochearnhead. 

Wee santa at the picnic table Briar Cottages

He is an antique little guy that belonged to Frasers Aunt. A possible contender for BBC Antiques Roadshow if it were not for the fact that his red hat was actually a 1980's red sock! Sshh! Dont tell him. 

He is lovingly brought out every year with a big smile on his face. Fraser's children and grandchildren get a little spooked by his appearance however he is a fun little man once you get to know him.  All he asks for is a little respect. 

Briar Cottages summer house Big and Wee santa catch up

He looks magnificent against the back drop of snow around our holiday cottage grounds. Look at him sitting with big Santa Claus who is stuffed and propped up at Briar Cottages every year. This year Big Santa was at home in the summer house.  No wonder. What a view he gets of Loch Earn, Edinample Castle and Glen Ample.  

Wee santa sits on the swing in the garden, Loch Earn

Swing in front of xmas tree

Wee santa on one of the loch garden lights

Wee santa near the stair to the jetty, Loch Earn

In front of Briar Cottage and Little Briar

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Venus protects wee santa near the slipway, Briar Cottage garden

Wee santa in front of Briar Steading

These photographs were taken around Christmas 2011 when the snow fell. Look how calm and pretty the loch was then compared to the video below taken in yesterdays storm on 3rd January 2012. Or was it a hurricane?  It blew out in about 3 hours then the sun came out. Hard to believe when you see the loch. Click on the arrow and take a look.

Thank you to everyone who stayed at Briar Cottages Lochearnhead in 2011. Wishing you a magnificent, happy and healthy 2012 with long sunny days in spring, summer and autumn.   Okay... maybe a bit of rain to keep Scotland looking green and luscious with quality crops.

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Snowfall at sunset, Briar Cottages, Loch Earn

Sunset 5/12/11 garden on Loch Earn

Winter pictures at sunset from Briar Cottages, Lochearnhead. The snow came down and we had a glorious, scenic sunny day tody,  5th December. Our guests have not taken up the offer to sledge yet. Who will be the first down the hill?

Jetty is under water

Oh Deer! Fraser is doing sculptures!           

Taken near the stream in the garden

Sledge marks  from Briar Steading                                

Goddess shivering at the sllipway

Powerful Stream  in the garden                                                                                                                                                                                                 

The summer house is also open in  winter                                                                                                                                                       

     

Briar Birthday, Summer House, Sloe Gin and Scotland Hour news from Lochearnhead

Set for Dinner in Briar Steading

Christmas Tree, Briar Cottages loch garden

Happy Birthday: Briar Steading is already one as we approach the Christmas Holidays. The luxury cottage's first guests have re booked to celebrate New Year. Both cottages are booked for Hogmanay. Just as well I got everyone tickets for the Lochearnhead village party in the hall as they sold out in 4 hours. There is an excellent prize raffle with gifts donated by local businesses like St Fillans Golf Club, The Lochearnhead Hotel, Lix Toll petrol Station, Glenample Estates Venison and more. I should know as I am the volunteer fund raiser for the event.



Pet Friendly Christmas: We still have  pet friendly cottage availability for Christmas week if anyone wants a festive break in Little  Briar. Cosy up in our cottage for 2-4. We put a tree and lights into the cottage with some festive wine and smackery.      

Summer House in Winter:The garden on the banks of  Loch Earn gives a lot of pleasure. We improved the summer house this year with a dining table and chairs new games and pictures on the wall. Guests love the area to; watch wildlife and Loch Earn, listen to iPods using the docking station, read and generally relax.

Fishing Loch Earn by Paul Patchett

One fishing guest sticks his rod into a pole on the jetty then reads his paper in the summer house.  Not everyone's idea of fishing but it suits him. He dozes off and occasionally stirs to share lunch with the friendly mallards (and their ducklings in spring).

Ducklings eat oats at Briar Cottages

Some of you have met neighbouring villagers in our summer house. When Fraser puts the cocktail flag up it means "visitors welcome" for a glass or two or three or more!

Sloe Gin: Anyone staying here is welcome to pick our berries in different seasons.  There are 3 blackcurrant bushes behind Little Briar, a cherry tree, gooseberry bush, brambles lining the boundary fences and sloe berry trees in the rear paddock. Aside from fruit crumbles I have laid down fruit gin, vodka and Bacardi.  All you do is add one third spirit, one third sugar and one third berries (prick or squeeze the berries first) in a bottle. Shake the bottle once a day for about a week until the sugar dissolves then let the alcohol turn into berry coloured nectar before your eyes. They make delicious liqueurs if left  3-6 months or more. A great Christmas present idea too. We already tried the blackcurrant gin made early August. Decant the alcohol first and then use any edible berries like blackcurrants to accompany a pudding. 

Social Media Have you seen my facebook business page?  I also have a presence on Twitter @Briar Cottages if you want to follow what’s on around Briar Cottages and Lochearnhead. If you like our website www.stayatbriar.co.uk please click the +1 button on our homepage as every vote helps us to be found amidst a sea of a million other self catering holiday cottage accommodation sites in the world. Thank you for all the delightful feedback and photos on TripAdvisor which is really useful for us and helpful for new guests.  It is never too late to provide feedback. If you use a mobile phone to search for accommodation, our website is adapted for mobile use with an app from lovetoescape and we can easily be found on Google Maps under Holiday Cottages Scotland.   

Loch Earn by Briar Cottages guests Alex and  Brenda Geddes

#Scotlandhour:  If you want to follow Scottish tourism in general, get on to Twitter during #Scotlandhour between 9-10pm on the last Wednesday of every month.  How appropriate that it lands on St Andrews Day, 30th November this month.  Join Scotland’s travel writers, accommodation providers, outdoor sports businesses, photographers, social media gurus, tourism associations, tour operators,  food and drink specialists, Visit Scotland and more. Whether you live and work in Scotland, enjoy travelling, are planning to visit in the near future or just have a burning question relating to Scotland you can ask questions live on Twitter or follow the tweets and images about all things Scottish.  I will be on line to promote Lochearnhead and its neighbouring villages around Loch Earn. 

It has been raining more than a bit of late, making this the perfect time  to come and see The Falls of Dochart, Edinample Falls and the incredible burn (stream) that Fraser has landscaped which runs the length of our  garden.

Look out for late availability offers if you want to experience Briar Cottages for a short break in December www.stayatbriar.co.uk and please note that we are offering £50 vouchers for petrol to spend in our local garage Lix Toll when you book a week in Briar Steading for 2012 before the end of 2011 (Does not apply to existing bookings and can not be taken in conjunction with other offers).   

Holiday cottage Scotland- Last chance to fish on Loch Earn!

Guest Stefanie fishing on Loch Earn 

Alert! The end of the fishing season is looming on Loch Earn.  You can still book the last week 1-8th October or book a 3-4 night short fishing break in Lochearnhead.

Trout fishing is not permitted after October 6th.  I suppose fish need a break too and they can get on with the business of creating more fish.  Could they possibly sense the end of the fishing season?  Every year we witness trout flipping into the air making water rings on the 6th October.  Is it coincidence?  I imagine that they are celebration flips as they shout "yipeeee we made  it".  Is it only young agile fish that do these gymnastic turns?  I wonder what kind of tsunami ring would be created if Loch Earns record breaking catch of a 26lb 10oz trout could flip. That would be one for YouTube.



It has been a great year for our guest fishing folk. Nobody beat last years family record of over 50 trout caught in a week, however, there were some good quality brownies and rainbows landed.  We have had seasoned professionals here with impressive technical gear and three novices (including children) managed to catch a fish on their first go with a simple rod and a few maggots, - much to their and our delight.



Guest Steffanie from Frankfurt in Germany sent us the above photo of her fishing on Loch Earn . She may not have caught many but its surely the quality of the catch that counts.  Hugh and Anette from Edinburgh(pictured below) launched their fishing boat from our slipway.  You do not need to buy a permit to fish anywhere along our 250ft garden or from the jetty.  If you go by boat then it is £25 for a weeks permit or £9 per person per day. You can bring your own gear or hire tackle from the Lochearnhead Post Office. You can buy maggots and floats there and in the local store too. 

Hugh and Anette bring their fishing boat to launch at Briar Cottages 

Briar Cottages in Scotland are available in all seasons. Once the fishing stops the pheasants appear, the hills and bracken turn to rust and Briar Steadings wood burning stove and Little Briar's outdoor chiminee become poplar for Autumn and Winter short breaks. As for the deer...they have already started to come into the garden for grass in the rear garden slope.  They will come closer and closer to the cottages in search of plant food to keep them going in colder weather.  A remarkable sight if you are lucky enough to spot them. Some people consider them a pest,  however they are just doing a bit of pruning.  They left one leaf on our Laurel bush last year and it came back in full glory in the spring.  Telephone now to book up the last of the fishing dates for 2011.  Kim and Fraser: 00 44 (0)1567 830 443 or mobile 07876 122 505. http://www.stayatbriar.co.uk/

Lochearnhead Photographer's Virtual Cottage Images To Represent Scotland

Looking to luxury cottage Briar Steading via the garden on Loch Earn

Photographer Alistair Barclay of Alba Virtual Tours in Lochearnhead has been selected to represent virtual tour images of self catering holiday accommodation in Scotland by The Virtual Cottage Company on its new website.  Alistair has chosen his 360 degree virtual tour of luxury Briar Steading cottage overlooking Loch Earn to showcase his work. Promoting a directory of self catering properties in the UK that uses 360 degree virtual tour technology; The Virtual Cottage Company's new website aims to help holiday makers match properties with their wish list.  Richard and Julie Scutt who are behind the innovative website believe that virtual tours offer everyone an opportunuity to view a property as if they were present. Guests no longer have to be surprised by the layout and setting of their holiday accommodation on arrival.

Briar Steading owner Kim Proven says "I have taken many photographs of the holiday cottages and the grounds around Loch Earn  They are available to view on various websites including Flickr, Picasa, Google Maps and Facebook. Guests are very complimentary about my amateur snaps however I would love to stitch them all together to show the bigger picture.  Alba Virtual Tours 360 degree images are the answer for me. A virtual tour may not allow you to smell the fresh air and hear the birds or the sea plane landing in front of the garden but it does concentrate your mind on the important detail in your list of essential and desirable features and benefits when booking self catering accommodation.  It's a great idea to search a directory of virtual tour accommodation in one spot. I am delighted with Alistair Barclays work and I also wish  The Virtual Cottage Company all the best with its new website."

Alistair Barclay of Alba Virtual Tours offers a range of standard and specialist photography services within the tourism industry.  Services include virtual tours, panoramic and ariel photography and floor plans for  hotels, self catering holiday cottages, bed and breakfasts and other accommodation businesses in Scotland.

Golf crazy or Crazy Golf? There is something for everyone around Loch Earn

Do you play golf on holiday or are you a fun putter? Self catering at Briar Cottages may be just the ticket. There is something for everyone here whether you are in training for the Ryder Cup 2014 or looking for ways to entertain family and friends on holiday.  If you are easily pleased then putting on our loch side lawn might satisfy your needs.  We put 4 flags into the grass and supply putters and balls. You will see them on our new 360 degree virtual tour of Briar Steading our luxury Perthshire cottage.  Hit the ball nearest to the flag. What could be easier. Of course the lie of the land depends on the angle that Fraser has cut and rolled the grass. A lot depends on  visiting ducks too as they tend to nod off on the green once fed.  I make it sound more like an obstacle course or worse an assault course..."look out daffy!"  Oh and watch out for that other course hazard...its called Loch Earn. 

 There is a set of boule and  toy croquet  in the summer house if you fancy a change.  If you are rained off, shelter in the summer house and have a game of Jenga or extra large connect 4.  If that is not mad enough for you then try the crazy golf course at Achingarrich wildlife park near Comrie, 14 miles East on the A85.  Not only an innovative park full of interesting animals and birds but a childrens playground and picnic spot too with a restaurant on site.  Neighbouring village Killin has a fun putting green near the bowling green in the main park in the centre.  For the discerning golfer, Killin Golf club is a beautiful 9 hole golf course at the other end of the village. The clubhouse is run by a charming couple that will pander to your every needs with a smile.   St Fillans golf club is at the east end of Loch Earn. A very pretty course and said to be local Masters champion  Sandy Lyle's favourite inland course...according to a quote that he gave to Golf World magazine recently.  According to the St Fillans GC website it is also said to be popular with Sir Ian Botham.  Like Killin, St Fillans is a very welcoming course thanks to those that run it and the regulars who welcome visitors and holiday makers with open arms. The clubhouse food is excellent value too.   If you are keen to play a few courses in this area look up the Perthshire Green Card offering discounts  for 5 rounds and 3 rounds at selected 18 hole courses in the area.  The Perthshire Highland Ticket is great value too and can be used at 12 of the 9 hole courses in the area, including  St Fillans, Comrie, Crieff, Killin and Kenmore.   Play 5 days of golf at £65 or 3 days at £40! Check individual club terms as some may not agree to the ticket being used at weekends.  Well if thats not enough then Gleneagles is only 29 miles away,  Loch Lomond 45 minutes and only 60 miles to the Old Course at St Andrews or courses in Edinburgh and Glasgow.  Merely a day trip away in any direction.  Loch Earn is so central that it makes an excellent base for touring places and attractions in Scotland in an easy day trip. If you are on holiday with a golfer but its not your thing you might consider water sports, quad biking, zorbing, horse riding, forest walks, cycling or Munro climbing.  You night prefer to hire a Ferarri or Aston Martin locally or a jeep safari in the hidden glen at Balquhidder.  It is also perfectly okay just to relax and read or take in the stunning views around our 3 acre grounds. Ask for a shot of our hot tub if you want the ultimate in relaxation...zzzzzzzzzzzz! 

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Virtual Tour of Briar Steading Luxury Self Catering Scotland

Loch Earn, Lochearnhead, Scotland from luxury cottage Briar Steading's open plan lounge

We have added a 360 degree virtual tour of our luxury holiday cottage Briar Steading (http://www.stayatbriar.co.uk/).  Have a peak inside.  "Walk" around and get a feel for the cottage and grounds.  Start in the garden on Loch Earn. Look through the open plan living area, both bedrooms and en-suites, then end up looking down from  the top of the garden behind the cottage.  The 8 panoramic photographs were taken by Lochearnhead photographer Alistair Barclay from Alba Virtual Tours using a special 360 degree camera.  Let me know what you think!  Please contact Kim or Fraser with any queries or to book a luxury break in Lochearnhead. Tel: 01567 830443 or 07876 122505.

Click here to see the tour http://www.stayatbriar.co.uk/vtour.htm

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