Wednesday 16 December 2009

Kingshouse Travel work in tandom with cycle company to achieve wedding couples dreams

Just goes to show what you can do in the area if you put your mind to it! Kingshouse Travel, with the help of ‘Wheels Cycle Hire’ in Callander, recently provided minibus and bicycle transport for guests attending a rather unusual wedding in the Glen Lyon area.

The bride and groom, along with their guests were transported to Lawers Dam by minibus, where the happy couple tied the knot surrounded by beautiful (if misty) scenery. After the ceremony, everyone (including bride and groom on their bicycle made for two!) hopped onto their bikes and made their way down Glen Lyon and on to Fortingall for the reception. The weather was a little dull, with grey skies and some light rain, but everyone persevered and made it safely to Fortingall with smiles and happy faces all round.

After a few drinks and some time to relax in the pub at Fortingall, everyone got back into the minibuses and made the journey back to Killin to prepare for a good nights celebration. The entire occasion made for an interesting, fun and enjoyable experience, which just goes to show what you can do in the area if you put your mind to it.

LETI: Kingshouse travel is owned by member Graeme Courtney who also provides a service to visiting guests in the Kingshouse Hotel, pub and restaurant and the Kingshouse Self Catering cottages. Situated just off the A84 between Balquhidder and Lochearnhead the travel, accommodation and hospitality company offes a taxi and coach service using cars and a range of 6 to 16 seater coaches. The company can be booked for guided tours, airport transfer, parties, weddings and other outings. Distance is no object for Graeme's team of drivers.

Celebrating Tourism, Fine Dining and Christmas Spirit in Strathyre


Creagan House in Strathyre hosted this year's Loch Earn Tourism Initiative (LETI) members Christmas party. Perthshire accommodation and hospitality members gathered to enjoy the festive spirit, share tales of tourism in 2009 and to sample chef Gordon Gunn's Christmas menu. We received a very warm welcome from Cherry Gunn before warming up with a drink and tasty nibbles including the finest black olives and maple sugar pecans. The baronial dinning hall has a magnificent vaulted ceiling and stone fireplace. Tables were beautifully set and laid out in a rectangle in the centre of the hall to accommodate our party. Being in the tourist trade, members are well aware of Gordon’s reputation as an award winning chef who has been designing delicious meals using the finest of local produce for over 22 years. He more than lived up to his reputation as we ooo'd and mmm'd over each course that included -Roasted tail of North Sea monkfish, crab and prawn croquette, shellfish and tomato sauce- as well as -Medallion of local Aberdeen Angus beef fillet on daube with foie gras sauce - and puddings to die for. We selected a range of wines to suit individual choices and the "mmmm" noises started up again.

No wonder the house is recommended in "The Good Food Guide" and "Scotland the Best" amongst others, with two rosettes from the AA. This is a unique and romantic setting that offers dinner bed and breakfast for those who wish to enjoy the dining room experience again and again. Gordon and Cherry's magnificent house is also perfect for hosting private dining functions.

Perthshire accommodation providers in LETI will now be able to advise visiting guests on the Creagan House restaurant experience..... and what a wonderful experience it was!

LETI: Members who offer B&B's, hotels, Inns, Guests Houses, Cottages, Lodges, Log Cabins, Camping and Campsites, food and drink, outdoor sports, events, shops and other services would like to thank everyone who visited Strathyre, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and St Fillans in 2009 in this stunning area of Scotland where Perthshire, Stirlingshire, the Trossachs and the Highlands meet. Please come and visit us in 2010 and do not hesitate to contact members at http://www.robroycountry.com with any queries. Have a very Merry Christmas.