Fundraising Community Sings Mathews Praise

Balquhidder Church, Balquhidder

Lochearnhead Guest house owner Mathew Duncan loves to sing and often uses his ability to the benefit of the local community. Mathew is the joint owner of  Lochearn Guest House at the junction of the A84 and A85 in Lochearnhead.  In addition to making meals for residents he also uses his culinary skills  to offer an outside catering service.  In his spare time Mathew loves to sing.  He is an enthusiastic member of the Callander Amateur Operatic Society known locally as CAOS.  Over the last couple of years audiences have been treated to popular musical productions such as Hello Dolly and Fiddler on The Roof and this year La Perichole will be staged in The McLaren Hall in Callander in March.  Mathew is often called upon to give a song or two at local fundraisers, one of which was a concert on January 13th this year inside Balquhidder Church.  The concert was filmed and the video has been proudly uploaded to YouTube to share with the rest of the world. Matthew can be seen below in Part 2 and also in part 5 listed on YouTube under Balquhidder kirk fundraising concert.   The event attracted a good crowd for such a bitterly cold night and everyone had a very enjoyable time while raising funds to maintain the beautiful historic kirk. 

LETI: If you want to find out more about Mathews dinner bed and breakfast and outside catering service in Lochearnhead or get more information on tickets for La Perichole in Callander contact Mathew via his Lochearnhead B&B website.

Mathew Duncan Singing to raise funds for Balquhidder Church

Wonderful Wine, Fantastic Food, Great Guest's

Aiden and Hannah Schwarzer from Tanners Wines

Our second last Wine Tasting event of 2011 at The Four Seasons Hotel in St Fillans.  A super event. If you've never been, you don't know what you are missing.  Informal talks by our host's for the evening, Aiden and Hannah Schwarzer from Tanners Wines in Shrewsbury (our 'old world wine' supplier) about; the wine, how it was chosen to match each courses, why it works, how to make similar choices in your own home. 

 

The menu was chosen to showcase the best ingredients available in our local area:-Salmon freshly smoked by our head Chef, Peter woods; Locally foraged Sloe Berries; Balquhidder Venison (always a popular dish); Autumn Fruits with cardoman rice pudding - yummy! and a light cheese to finish. 

 

A great time was had by all, and if you fancy coming along to our next and final one of the year, it is on the 2nd of December.  Wines for this event will be chosen by Richard Meadows of Great Grog in Edinburgh (our 'new world wine' supplier)  Same Menu, different Wines.  Why not give us a call and book a table.

LETI: The Fours Seasons Hotel offers stunning views over Loch Earn in St Fillans.  The 3 star hotel in Perthshire has just released an extensive list of 2012 experience breaks to suit everyone including; cookery, painting, girly weekends, supercar driving, romantic breaks, golf breaks and more. 

Experience Exciting and Romantic Breaks In Four Seasons, St Fillans 2012



The Four Seasons Hotel on Loch Earn, Perthshire

 Plan a special break for you, and your loved ones. Now is the time to plan breaks for 2012 before the good ones get booked up.  To get you thinking, check out this list of tempting and creative experience breaks at The Four Seasons Hotel in St Fillans, overlooking Loch Earn.

Special Breaks at The Four Seasons Hotel St Fillans– 2012


As Time Goes By.. Ruby wedding anniversary break. DBB in Four Poster, 40 Red Roses, bottle of Personalised .Glenturret for arrival. Champagne Breakfast in your room and late check out. £414 PER ROOM Extra nights at £144 per room BB
Beatles Break. Three nights DDB staying a one of the two chalets the beatles stayed in in 1964 while playing in Dundee plus a copy of ‘The Beatles in Scotland’ Book @ £249 pp sharing

Caterham Drive Dine & Doze Break , Two night Break (1 x BB + 1 x DBB). Ch - £141 or Hotel £177 plus £180 for Driving Experience in either a Caterham Seven R500 or Porsche Boxster 2.7.

Easter Break 2 nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast including Fizz on arrival.£174 chalet £210 Hotel £232 Four poster

Gardens Break Three nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast including Garden Pass (11 gardens) - Ch £261 H £315

Golf Breaks   9 Hole Ticket Three Day DBB plus 3 day Perthshire Golf Ticket = Chalet £289 Hotel £340
Six Day DBB plus 5 day Perthshire Golf Ticket = Chalet £499 Hotel £590.  18 Hole Ticket Three Day DBB plus Three Round Green Card = Chalet £314 Hotel £365.Six Day DBB plus Five Round Green Card = Chalet £534 Hotel £624
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Pet Butler -All year Doggy Menu, Walking Service, Pet Sitting, Pooches Parlour. Tailor- made to suit the pampered pet (or borrow Sham or Pagne). Prices vary, starting from £8 per pet, per day. Pre booking required.

Romantic Break -All year Three nights DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST plus Champagne)
Chalet £274 Hotel Room £325 Four Poster R19/23 £358

Capture/Cook/Eat it Two night BB plus 1 nt Dinner with Venison main course plus full day shooting and photography tuition, lunch on shooting day and all equipment £327 per person sharing hotel room.

Ultimate Girlie Getaway Dinner, Bed and Breakfast (chalet), plus clay pigeon shooting, Minimum 5 pax, boat ride and chocolate tasting. £169.50 pps. (or an additional £18pp in a superior hotel room) Mini Bus hire £100

Stag “do” As Girlie Getaway, but max 8 pax, and Whisky tasting instead from £169.50 pps (chalet)

Walk on Wild Side 1 night DBB plus White Water Rafting or Canyoning on/near Loch Tay. Adrenalin Break From £127 (ch) £145 (hotel) pp. (Can also have canoeing/kayaking in killin @ £20/£15 per hour)

Walking Breaks A three day break with hill walkers packed lunch, and D,B&B From £279 (chalet) £330 (hotel) per person sharing.

Warming Whisky Break All Year-Two nights B&B, 1 night Dinner, comp dram digestif, Famous Grouse Tour £149 (ch) £176 (hot) pps  –  Add on - Full day driving tour inc entry to 3 distilleries, a dram on return £280 extra for 2 people.

Wine Tasting 1 Friday 9th March - 5 Course Dinner- wines (new world) matched to each course Included.
Chalet £107 Hotel £125. Four Poster £136.Extra night rate Chalet £69 Hotel £84 Four Poster £93

Seize the day Breaks

1. Gravity assisted downhill cycle trip - includes cycle hire and 17 mile cycle from Lawers Dam 1nt DBB, 1 nt BB through Glen Lyon to Fortingall. £299 pps
2. Micro light flying – includes 60 mins flying from Balado airfield, Kinross. £287
3. Gliding - includes a beginners mini course introduction to gliding from Scotlandwell, KinrossNo Experience required £287 pps
4. Off Road Driving or Quads – includes an hour on both at Crieff Hydro Activity Centre £323pps.

LETI:  Also check to see Whats on in St Fillans,  about The Villagers, and other accommodation and where to eat in Perthshire

Lochearnhead, Strathyre, Balquhidder and St Fillans Village News On line

Read all about village life in this stunningly beautiful area of the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park of Scotland. The Villages of St Fillans, Lochearnhead, Balquhidder and Strathyre are popular destinations for day visitors and holiday makers from home and abroad. Anyone who wishes to relax amongst stunning scenery including lochs, mountains and forests populated with seasonal wildlife, will be at home here. Outdoor enthusiasts are spoilt for choice of walking, cycling, golfing, hunting, fishing, horse riding, water skiing and wake boarding options.  This is a fantastic region for photographers and artists too as well as wildlife and nature lovers, bird watchers, and anyone interested in history and folklore.  Now you can read all about the area,  its inhabitants, holiday accommodation in Perthshire, events, trade suppliers, businesses and  news via the on-line version of local newspaper The Villagers.   Also available to view at www.robroycoutry.com under The Villagers archives.

Scotland's First Minister Visits St Fillans Golf Club in Perthshire



Alex Salmond signs flag at St Fillans GC, to be auctioned
 Photo's courtesy of  Fraser Ballantyne

  St Fillans Golf Club members were delighted to welcome Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond to their Perthshire course recently, following some high profile compliments this season.

Club Captain Ena Bennie explained, "It was great to see the First Minister here at St Fillans. This follows on from some great publicity recently from the Sky Sports commentators at Gleneagles and of course in July Sandy Lyle nominated St Fillans as his favourite inland course in the Country. We're pleased to welcome all our visitors to the club and Mr Salmond was very happy to chat with members about his golf, and promised further support from professional golfers for junior golfers in the area."




Scotlands First Minister with Sf Fillans GC
Gents  Captain, Fraser Ballantyne



If you are keen to find out what the attraction is (Sir Ian Botham is also rumoured to be a fan according to The St Fillans GC website),  then  get your name down to play free on Sunday 11th September 2011 between 11am and 3pm. Play an introductory round of golf at this beautiful and challenging course at the east end of Loch Earn. Experience the friendly club members. Relax in the Clubhouse. Enjoy stunning scenery. Dine in the restaurant. Take in the fresh air and healthy exercise. Join in putting and chipping competitions. The Open Day activities are free to those who pre register or £5 on the day. Trolleys, buggies and clubs will be available for hire. To pre register: telephone 01764 685312, email stfillansgc@aol.com or call in at the Clubhouse anytime. www.stfillansgolf.com. If you are not into golf then turn up for the excellent value food and drink in the clubhouse or a drink and a chat in the bar. Locals will make you most welcome. Why not make a night of it and book into a St Fillans hotel or other Perthshire accommodation.

  

"My favourite inland course in Scotland? - St Fillans "

- Sandy Lyle - Golf Monthly, July 2011

Loch Earn Tourism Initiative:  This is a great course for holiday visitors. If you are impressed with St Fillans Golf Club, which is open all year round to play, check out their outstanding membership deal. Pay £120 now and enjoy full playing rights for the remainder of the 2011 club year. Only pay a further £120 when the 2012 subs are due in February 2012. In other words £240 buys you membership for the rest of 2011 and the whole of 2012 and you can pay it in 2 lots. For more details chat with club Manager, Gordon Hibbert 01764 685312 or email stfillansgc@aol.com





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ST FILLANS FILLIES IN LADIES DAY ROMP!

You don't have to think city to experience performance, theatre and the arts. Villages in Scotland are often brimming with creative and talented theatre groups and St Fillans in Perthshire is no exception. July sees enthusiastic drama group "The St Fillans Players" presenting its production of “LADIES’ DAY” -  a  bittersweet comedy by Amanda Whittington. 

The story is based around the time that the Royal Ascot races temporarily relocated to York. It inspired a brilliant play about four female fish factory workers from Hull. They replaced their hairnets with fascinators to spend a day at the races - a day that would change each of their lives in unexpected ways. 

The venue is The Sandison Hall, St Fillans with performances on Thursday 7th, Friday 8th and Saturday 9th July.   Tickets are on sale in advance from St Fillans Village Store, St Fillans Golf Club, Comrie Post Office and Strathearn Gallery, Crieff.  Doors open at  7pm on Thursday and Friday with the curtain going up at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at £8 per person. Saturday's Gala night tickets are £12 including sparkling wine served with canapés and the curtain goes up at 8pm. The producers are warning that the play contains strong language and is not suitable for children. They also invite you to get in the mood by dressing up in your best Ladies’ Day outfit – advising that you could be a winner!  Presumably this offer is open to all genders!

LETI: If you want to combine events with a short break or holiday,  St Fillans hotels, bed and breakfasts, lodges and self catering accommodation are listed on the Loch Earn Tourism Initiative website www.robroycountry.com .  You will also find an events calendar of  things to do in St Fillans and its neighbouring villages.  St Fillans is a picturesque village on the banks of Loch Earn.

Raising The Bar At Achray House

New sun terrace at the Achray Hotel, St Fillans

Up until now most of the work Alan and Jane have done at The Achray House Hotel has been internal. Now they have turned their attention to the outside.



The first job was challenging, but worthwhile and visible from miles around.

After that the terrace was refurbished in preparation for a fine summer. With seating for 25 people, and a fine view over Loch Earn and the hills beyond it's an ideal spot for an informal lunch, or a relaxing drink in the afternoon or early evening. So all we need now is the weather.......

Oh, and the challenging first job; they painted the weather vane on the top of the building with gold paint.

LETI: The Achray House hotel in Perthshire lies in the picturesque village of St Fillans, owned and run by Alan and Jane Gibson.  The new sun terrace and hotel restaurant offer stunning views over the East end of Loch Earn and the surrounding mountains.