Balquhidder: The Thin Place - Launch of a Magical and Spiritual Trail

Locals and visitors are invited to attend the launch of this great new trail detailing some of the magical and spiritual highlights of Balquhidder - a place that is known to be ‘thin’ - where the division between heaven and earth is minimal. The launch will take place on Sunday 6 June 2010 at 2pm in Balquhidder Village Hall and refreshments will be provided. Come along to find out more and experience the trail with a guided tour by Charlie Hunter, our local Blue Badge Guide.

The trail is the brainchild of 4 local businesses who took the initiative to produce something which will hopefully increase the number of day and longer term visitors to the area and attract both new and renewed interest in the Glen.

Charlie Hunter, Blue Badge Guide; Christine Cooper of Cooper Cottages; Gill Allan of Mercat Designs; and Alison Inglis of Indian Champissage Scotland were successful in submitting a bid to the ScottsLand initiative for funds to design and produce the trail.

Since then they have been busy designing and getting the trail ready for printing. Unfortunately, due to ill health, Gill was unable to become involved in developing the design. However, the team are extremely grateful to Harriet Methven for agreeing to produce all the fantastic drawings and to Alasdair Nimmo of Dhanakosa for his stunning photography and help with images.

The ScottsLand programme is designed to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Sir Walter Scott’s poem ‘The Lady of the Lake’ by incorporating a diverse range of cultural and literary events, promoted by the National Park. It will take place from June to October 2010 throughout the Trossachs to celebrate the poem, the heritage and the landscapes. You can find out more information by visiting the website www.scottsland.co.uk.

Copies of the trail will be made available at the launch and there are plans to deliver further supplies to local businesses and outlets at the beginning of June. If you would like to reserve a supply then please contact Christine Cooper on (01877) 384331 or enquiries@coopercottages.com. After the launch, you will also be able to download a copy from the Scottsland website and the LETI website: http://www.robroycountry.com/.

We look forward to seeing you at the launch on Sunday 6 June 2010 so that we can tell you all about our exciting project.

LETI: In addition to running courses on the ancient art of  Indian Head Massage, busy mum Alison Inglis offers self catering accommodation in the guest wing of a refurbished cottage set in the magical village of Balquhidder. The holiday cottage in Balquhidder dates from around 1900.

St Angus’s, formerly the Grouse Church, Lochearnhead

St Angus’s  is a pretty Episcopal church in the village of Lochearnhead.  Over 100 years old it was originally built  for shooting parties, known then as the Grouse Church.  St Angus's is one of the Strathearn churches.  Visitors who stay at Earnknowe cottages in Lochearnhead  often go to services when they come to holiday in this lovely part of Perthshire.  They are always assured of a warm welcome. Sadly the roof needed replacing. Being a small congregation, we thought we would be unable to raise the money, but we literally had a ‘God send’! The roof is now fully funded and repair work has started. To visit the church contact the secretary at enquiries@earnknowe.co.uk  or Tel: 01567 830238.

LETI:  Pam and Lawrie Hopkins offer self catering holiday cottages and bed and breakfast in Lochearnhead at Earnknowe Cottages in Perthshire with elevated views over Loch Earn.

The Saddle Bags Cycle Challenge

Ollie Cameron pictured on the left,  is taking time out from running the family holiday cottages in Lochearnhead to join three other mums on an ambitious charity cycle.   The Team affectionately known as The Saddle Bags includes Ollie Cameron,  Karen Methven, Fiona Wilbert and Laura Thomson from the Perthshire villages of Balquhidder, Srathyre and Lochearnhead.  Starting in Aberdeen and ending in Fort William the team will cover 197 miles in just 4 days. The route will take the team along medieval drove roads and 18th century military roads, disbanded railway tracks, forest footpaths, canal towpaths and across the Monadhliath mountains via the 775m Corrieyairack Pass!

They aim to raise money for two charities close to home, The Lillias Trust and The Callander Youth project. For further details of these charities, the cycle route and how to make a donation visit http://www.saddlebags.org.uk/ 

LETI: Ollie and Angus Cameron offer holiday weeks in their log cabins in Lochearnhead known as Lochside Cottages.  They also offer holiday accommodation in a choice of traditional stone cottages that have been restored and modernised.  Angus is also the president of the Balquhidder, Strathyre and Lochearnhead Highland Games;  a tradtional games with invitiation and open events that takes place in the Lochearnhead games field every July.  Ollie organises the Lochearnhead village Fete in August every year. Both events offer a great day out for all ages.