The Loch Earn Tourism Initiative Group - Promoting Holiday Accommodation and Events in Perthshire

Wonderful Wine, Fantastic Food, Great Guest's

2011-11-19T16:07:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-13T07:07:00.000-08:00

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

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
Micro light flying – includes 60 mins flying from Balado airfield, Kinross. £287
Gliding - includes a beginners mini course introduction to gliding from Scotlandwell, KinrossNo Experience required £287 pps
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

2011-11-11T09:33:00.000-08:00

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

2011-09-06T08:31:00.000-07:00

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

ST FILLANS FILLIES IN LADIES DAY ROMP!

2011-07-02T12:29:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-13T07:17:00.000-07:00

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.

St Fillans Golf Club Ace for Sandy Lyle

2011-06-08T08:27:00.000-07:00

"My favourite inland course in Scotland?...St Fillans "-Sandy Lyle - 2011

For several years members at St Fillans Golf Club have enjoyed visits from Masters and Open Champion Sandy Lyle. He plays the course and some lucky visitors have even had the privilege of playing a few holes with him. During the club's Centenary year, 2003, he played with Graeme Courtney and Captain Barry Crighton in an exhibition match and set a course record which still stands today.

We've not seen so much of Sandy lately due to his many golf commitments, but in a recent interview with Golf World magazine* he was asked about various Scottish golf courses. He highlighted a number of prestigious Open courses and kindly went on to say, "If I was asked for my favourite inland course in Scotland, I'd go for St Fillans in the heart of Perthshire ............"

Club Manager Gordon Hibbert commented, "Now quotations don't get any better than that, so many thanks Sandy - and don't forget to pop into the clubhouse for a coffee and bacon roll next time you're passing".

LETI: Not only is St Fillans golf course in Perthshire beautiful, members have a reputation for welcoming day visitors and holiday makers with open arms. Meals and snacks are not only popular they are excellent value too. Well worth visiting for a round or two on the course and in the club house!

*Golf World magazine July 2011 page 32

Ariel view of St Fillans Golf Course near Loch Earn

Fathers Day Idea Might Be A Dripping Roast

2011-06-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

Stuck for a Fathers Day idea? The Four Seasons Hotel in St Fillans, Perthshire might just have the answer. Food is the way to a mans heart so why not treat your dear old dad to a traditional Sunday roast lunch. Take him for a scenic drive arriving at the country house hotel in time for lunch between 12.00 and 14.20. The hotel looks out over Loch Earn and the surrounding hills in the picturesque village of St Fillans. If you are not a dad and your mouth is now watering at the mere suggestion of a juicy dripping roast and all the trimmings; do not despair! The traditional lunch is being offered every Sunday throughout the summer season at £13.50 for two courses! Enjoy the lochside location, relaxed atmosphere and the contemporary Scottish cuisine at two AA Rosette level. Booking is essential. Email info@thefourseasonshotel.co.uk or Tel: +44 (0) 1764 685333

LETI: The Four Seasons Hotel is an award winning 12 bedroom hotel with spectacular views over Loch Earn offering contemporary cuisine using local produce. The chefs cater for breakfast, morning coffee, lunches, afternoon tea, bar meals and fine dining. Dog owners might want to check out the Pet Concierge service too. The resident pet butler will take care of your pets every need from special menus to grooming and walking.

Lochearnhead Village Hall Party

2011-04-19T05:29:00.000-07:00

If you are planning something different this New Year and are not already organised, consider staying in Lochearnhead on the banks of Loch Earn in Bed and Breakfast, holiday cottages, lodges,cabins or hotel accommodation. Bring in the New Year at the Lochearnhead village hall party. Only £7.50 per ticket including hot stovies around midnight. Dance the night away to band "The Session" who play popular cover tunes from the 50's to modern day plus spot ceilidh dances. This years raffle promises top prizes including a quality Scottish Food Hamper containing local venison, clootie dumpling and champagne amongst the goodies. Take part in the feature fun competition to win a bottle of whisky. This years event promises to be a lot of fun. The village hall will be decorated for the festive season with a licensed bar Doors open at 9am and the dancing will go on until 2am. Tickets will be available in the local shop and post office and on the door on the night or email briarinfo@btinternet.com if you would like to request tickets in advance.

Christmas, Hogmanay & New Year Breaks, Holiday accommodation and entertainment Perthshire

2010-11-03T13:37:00.000-07:00

Jetty at sunrise on Loch Earn, Lochearnhead

Fancy a festive break in Scotland this Christmas or New year? Consider the neighbouring villages of Strathyre, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and St Fillans in Scotland. Whether you are single, a couple, friends or family, there are plenty of places to stay with entertainment on the doorstep. All four villages are at the gateway to the Highlands where Stirling and the Trossachs meet Perthshire. This area of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is naturally beautiful because of the ancient forests, towering mountains, lochs, deer, Highland cattle and other wildlife. This is an excellent all year round location both for outdoor activities and for total relaxation. There are plenty of forest walks and Munro's to climb. Part of national cycle route 7 connects the villages. St Fillans golf course is open to play all year round. Glencoe is less than an hour away for walking and skiing enthusiasts. There are plenty of pubs, restaurants and hotels to choose from within a 15 mile radius offering quality food and drink, glowing fires and occasionally live music. The Loch Earn Tourism Initiative members are private owners of Perthshire Bed and Breakfasts, self catering cottages, log cabins, guest houses, Inn's, restaurants with rooms, hotels and caravan sites. Check out a range of festive packages including Christmas Day and New Year breaks offered by LETI members.

Visit the Balquhidder Hall Christmas Market in Balquhidder on 5th December. Sing around the tree with the locals in St Fillans with mulled wine and a sweet mince pie in hand on 20th December. If you are planning to spend New Year in Lochearnhead pick up tickets for the Lochearnhead Hogmanay party in the village hall 9pm-2am, available from local shops. Tickets include a live band and stovies at midnight for just £7.50. Raffle prizes include a Scottish Food hamper, a round of golf for two at St Fillans Golf Club and a meal for two at the Four Seasons Hotel in St Fillans. For more information on Christmas and New Year breaks, accommodation and events in Perthshire, visit http://www.robroycountry.com/ with links to members websites and promotions.

Whisky and Food Gang Thegither

2010-08-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

Dining by the Loch: Head Chef Christopher Ma serves Jane Gibson, the owner of Achray House one of the courses from the Malt Whisky Taster Menu.

"Whisky and food gang thegither." Well, Burns didn't actually say that: his weightier pronouncement was “Whisky and freedom gang thegither”, but with his love of food and a wee dram he probably shared the sentiment.

Achray House is taking the idea seriously with its recently launched “Malt Whisky Taster Menu” which offers five courses each with a sauce made from a different malt whisky.

“The wide range of tastes from delicate Speysides to heavily peated Islays lend themselves ideally to partnering different foods” says Alan Gibson, owner of Achray House, a small country house hotel on Loch Earn in rural Perthshire. “Our taster menu gives us the opportunity to showcase the best of Scottish produce and let our guests discover the breadth of flavours of diverse single malts”

The Malt Whisky Taster Menu costs £39.95 for five courses and is available by prior booking from September. It also forms part of the two day Whisky Lovers Break at Achray House. You can get more information on their web site: http://www.achrayhouse.com/

LETI: Alan and Jane Gibson are proprietors of the recently refurbished Achray House Hotel and self catering lodges overlooking Loch Earn in the village of St Fillans. The Gibsons offer comfortable rooms and excellent food and wine.

Loch Earn's Official Wakeboarding Event

2010-07-10T09:16:00.000-07:00

Loch Earn’s official wakeboarding event, is preparing for its biggest year yet. Organisers of WakeScot, now in its 3rd year and the longest running wakeboarding event in Scotland, are delighted with initial enquiries.

Barry McGrandles, Outdoor Activities Director for Active Scotland, explained, ‘It’s always hard to start up an event and keep it going so I think people can see what we are trying to do and that we have a genuine interest in developing the sport. It’s made even clearer by the fact that we are seen by governing body Waterski Scotland as an event that can be used as a platform for all levels of rider who wish to compete in competition in Scotland.’

The event on Loch Earn is supported by both governing bodies in Britain and by local and national companies who share the brothers drive to develop grass roots sports in the area. Barry’s brother Matt, who organises the event says, ‘It takes time to get the message across that our event is all about the riders and gaining support is not easy especially in this current climate. We dedicate a lot of time and finance to making this event happen but it takes more than just our business to make it work. Just speak to anyone that organises events and they will appreciate what kind of dynamics it takes to actually get something like this off the ground.’

Matt has been organising events for many years. One of his first was the International Festival of Youth Rugby in 97 where he managed 6000 players, staff and games throughout Scotland . WakeScot is not at this level yet but the brothers have a long term view. They aim to turn WakeScot into a leading wakeboarding festival in Scotland.

WakeScot kicks off on Saturday 14th August 2010 with a coaching clinic at 9am. If you are looking for a weekend break or day away with friends and family then check out this event as it promises to be as spectacular as last years. Further details can be found at http://www.wakescot.com/

LETI: In addition to wakeboarding and water sports, Active Scotland offers a number of activities including quad biking, archery and mountain bike hire. The office and shop are located at the front of the Clachan Cottage Hotel in Lochearnhead on the A85 overlooking Loch Earn.

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

2010-05-24T12:04:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-17T06:17:00.000-07:00

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.

A Great Day Out At Any Event

2010-03-28T15:17:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars for the 2010 events around Strathyre, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, and Strathyre. Whether you enjoy indoor or outdoor events, spectating or participating there is something for everyone.

On the banks of Loch Earn in Lochearnhead you can witness model aeroplane stunts (17-18th April), the great Loch Earn Boat race (25th April) and the Loch Earn swim race (11th -12th September). Yes - People travel for miles to swim the 6.5 mile length of Loch Earn from the village of Lochearnhead to the village of St Fillans. Seeing is believing!. WakeScot takes place on Loch Earn on the 7-8th August. Enter this water skiing and wakeboarding contest organised by Active Scotland who are based at the Clachan Cottage Hotel in Lochearnhead or spectate with a hot drink (or something stronger ). Marvel at the range of talent in each age group from rookie to advanced, each performance taking place with Loch Earn, Glen Ample and Edinample Castle as the stage setting.

Are you a fan of live music and entertainment? Check the programmes at the Clachan Cottage Hotel in Lochearnhead every Saturday night (from 3rd April throughout the summer) or follow the eclectic Balquhidder Summer music programme at Balquhidder Church (visit Rob Roy McGregor and his family’s gravestone in the grounds while you are there). Tullybannocher, a café near St Fillans, also hosts a programme of jazz suppers throughout the year.

Take part in or spectate at the Stuc a Chroin Hill race (1st May) organised by the Kingshouse Hotel in Balquhidder. A well organised event but not for the faint hearted as athletes run 22km climbing to 1500m. Impressive stuff!

Come dancing! The village Hall in Balquhidder is hosting a Ball (6th June). Whether you attend the Lochearnhead village ballroom dance classes or are on holiday, you are welcome to buy a ticket and join in the glamorous fun.

Who will take the Black Face sheep shearing trophy this year? If you have never been to a sheep shearing contest then start at the top and witness the Loch Earn shears in the Lochearnhead games field (3-4th July). International contestants travel far just to take part. The same venue hosts The BLS Highland Games (July 24th) and the fun filled village fete (August). The Highland Games are traditional, attracting chieftains of the local ancient clans, with invitation heavyweight and open prize events for children and adults.

The St Fillans village weekend is a 3 day affair (13-15th August) with a mixed programme including a cricket match, dance, live bands, a hog roast party, BBQ, and village games. For more regular village chat check out the Tuesday coffee mornings in the St Fillans village shop and tea room. The St Fillans golf club is due to announce its ladies, gents and mixed open challenge fixtures for the year too.

All four villages run regular classes like yoga, keep fit, youth club, oil painting and upholstery. For more event details and contacts check out the four villages website for events in Perthshire. Find out where to stay in Perthshire and where to eat in Perthshire as the website covers accommodation, restaurants, cafes and snack bars too.

LETI: The Loch Earn Tourism Initiative website offers information on holiday accommodation in Perthshire and the Trosshachs in central Scotland - an area of outstanding beauty. The site includes information on, accommodation, events, food and drink, shops, things to do, nature and more. You can be sure that you will be made to feel very welcome when visiting this area of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park..

Achray House Hotel St Fillans - Conservatory Restaurant Dining Offer

2010-02-15T04:30:00.000-08:00

Enjoy a fantastic fixed price lunch in our conservatory restaurant overlooking Loch Earn in Perthshire, priced at £9.99 for two courses, or £12.99 for three courses. Options include our home made venison burgers served with a whisky tomato relish, or a winter salad dressed with our house vinaigrette, made with rapeseed oil grown and produced locally. Available Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Easter at the Achray House Hotel, St Fillans, Perthshire.

LETI: Alan and Jane Gibson are the owners of the Achray House Hotel and lodges on the banks of Loch Earn in the picturesque village of St Fillans, Perthshire. Whether you are looking for an activity break or relaxation have a look at their Perthshire accommodation website offering 8 hotel bedrooms and 2 lodges.

Celebrate the Mighty Chip in Strathyre on National Chip Week 2010

2010-02-12T10:19:00.000-08:00

The very thought of chips and sauce or vinegar can make your mouth water for hours! No need to endure this teasing thought if your are passing through or staying around Strathyre next week though. To celebrate National Chip Week 2010, chef Stephen Nixon will be adding "Takeaway Suppers" to the menu at the Inn and Bistro in Strathyre. Order our chefs own sausage, haggis and fish suppers to sit in or takeaway between Monday 15th and Sunday 21st February, from 4.30pm until 9pm.

Sit in and enjoy our Saturday Night Chip Extravaganza on the 20th February with all your favourites (pickled onions, mushy peas, curry sauce) plus musical entertainment from Jock 'The Box' from 8.30 til 11.30pm. Stay over and make a night or two of it. Our Valentines Weekend Special Offer means 2 nights Bed and Breakfast for 2 people at just £99. Or stay 3 nights for the price of 2 on our Half Term Special Offer between 15th and 21st February. We are positioned in the centre of Scotland and only 1 hours drive away from superb skiing at Glencoe.

LETI: Chef Stephen Nixon and his wife Jill are the proud owners of the Inn and Bistro in Strathyre on the A84 at the gateway to the Highlands where Perthshire, The Trossachs and Stirlingshire meet. The couple has earned a reputation for scrumptious pub and bistro food, real ale, coal fires, traditional music and great chat. They also offer comfortable accommodation for holidaymakers and passers by.

Visit Scotland from Loch Earn or Loch Lubnaig in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

2010-01-26T08:50:00.000-08:00

Book holiday accommodation in the villages around Loch Earn and Loch Lubnaig if you are considering a picturesque base with stunning views, outdoor activities, an excellent choice of food and drink and easy access to other tourist towns and attractions in Scotland.

Loch Earn and Loch Lubnaig are positioned where Perthshire and Stirlingshire meet at the gateway to the Highlands within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. The surrounding villages of Strathyre, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and St Fillans stem from the A84 and A85 trunk roads enabling easy access to Scottish towns and cities in all directions including; Callander, Stirling, Falkirk, Glasgow, Loch Lomond, Inverary, Oban, Fort William, Aberfeldy, Pitlochry, Crieff, Perth, Edinburgh and more.

Towering mountains, Munro’s, forests and glens enhance the backdrop of the villages, lochs and golf courses in the area. On the 15th March every year the lochs attract fishermen, fisherwomen and their children. The Perthshire trout fishing season runs through to October 6th. Local retail outlets sell bait, floats and permits and you can rent a rod and tackle from the Lochearnhead Post Office. Gradually fishing boats, water skiers and wake boarders punctuate the lochs joined by intermittent yachts, kayaks, swimmers, model aeroplane groups and the resident sea-plane.

Locals and visitors are not the only ones to enjoy the water though. Throughout the year deer will come down from the hills to drink. Visiting ospreys return to fish alongside mallards, geese, heron, swans, otters and other wildlife.

Hotels, bistro’s and restaurants (many chef owned) within a 15 mile radius of the region offer something for everyone. Choose from snacks and home made cakes to inns that run guest beer festivals to award winning restaurants that use local ingredients to create first class cooking.

Whether you enjoy the outdoors, food and drink, history and folklore, wildlife, flora and fauna, fresh air, peace and tranquillity or you are looking for the perfect base to travel to other tourist towns and attractions; the villages surrounding Loch Earn and Loch Lubnaig in the centre of Scotland take some beating.

LETI: For further information on Loch Earn and Loch Lubnaig as well as Perthshire accommodation, food and drink, outdoor activities, retail and other services in this region of Scotland, click on Rob Roy.

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

2009-12-16T07:49:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-16T01:45:00.000-08:00

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.

Four Seasons Wine Tasting (Winter)

2009-11-24T01:17:00.000-08:00

On Friday, 13th November, we held the first of our two Winter Wine Tasting Evenings. I am pleased to say that we were fully booked. Our wine tasting evenings all follow a similar format – gourmet six course dinner with wine chosen to complement each course. This is not always easy as a little extra spice or flavouring in a sauce being served can alter the balance of the wine/food match.
The wines for this event were supplied by our ‘Old World Wine’ supplier, Tanners of Shrewsbury and I’m happy to say that almost everyone agreed that the wine matched the food well. We had some fantastic wines to taste, the two most popular being Le Blanc de Grand Cres, Languedoc – served with the lightly curried Cauliflower Soup and Chateau Puy La Rose, Pauillac served with the Loin of Perthshire Lamb.

It is a great way to try wines that you may not think to match with dishes and our suppliers always try to encourage people ‘out of their comfort zone’ . The dissertation given is not too technical, more light hearted and informative and you certainly do not need to be a connoisseur of wine to enjoy these evenings.

We are holding our second Wine Tasting Evening on the 4th December, this time with ‘New World Wines’ supplied by Great Grog in Edinburgh. Why not come along and join us.

LETI: Mary looks after the Fours Seasons Hotel when owner Andrew is away on his travels. This Perthshire hotel boasts the most wonderful views over Loch Earn from its bedrooms, lounges and restaurants - where you can experience culinary creativity and the best of Scotland's food and drink.

Tales from a Perthshire Bed and Breakfast

2009-11-11T07:37:00.001-08:00

We have a bell on our kitchen door for guests to ring if they have a problem during the night and need assistance. Usually it's nothing more than someone locking themselves out of the room.

On this night, it had been very cold and windy and the electricity had been knocked out, yet again! The bell rang and I shoved Paul out of bed. He stumbled down the stairs half asleep, slightly dishevilled in his "jammies" and opened the kitchen door.

There stood half a dozen guests wanting to know where their breakfast was as they were anxious to set off and walk the Rob Roy Way! It was 8.15am. Our alarm had failed to work, and we'd slept in!

Oh how our guests gave us stick!

LETI: Mal Dingle and Paul Holt run Rosebank House in the village of Strathyre. Whether you are passing through or on a short break, they offer comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation in their Victorian guest house. You will be made most welcome in this pet friendly accommodation situated in the heart of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park on the gateway to the Highlands.

New Scotland In The Fall

2009-10-20T09:24:00.000-07:00

Once again the glorious colour display of autumn can be seen in the Perthshire hills, as the the cold nights take their toll on the deciduous trees and the leaves change from green to lime green, yellow brown and red. The varied palate of colour which is displayed changes by the day and the brief period of change before the leaves drop provides some stunning views, particularly near dawn and dusk. A great place to see these changes and relax and walk by loch, river, and wood is around Loch Earn where varied accommodation including hotel, Inn, Guest house and B&B can be found (by clicking) Perthshire accommodation, the community website of the people around Loch Earn. An example of self catering accommodation "Perthshire holiday cottages Scotland" can be found at Killin Highland Lodges.

"New England in the fall" may be a trip too far for some but some excellent scenery to rival that famous area can be seen in the hills of Perthshire in the middle of Scotland. The biochemistry that causes these changes is complex, but a dimished ability of the veins in leaves to carry nutrient to the leaf is a primary cause and often the veins remain green as the tissue between changes colour. But rather than simply drop the leaves the processes allow some nutrients to be saved for the next year's leaf production. Another intriguing discovery is that the pigments in the leaves can stunt the growth of nearby saplings proving a better growing environment for the adult tree. Whatever the science involved, we can simply admire and photograph the constantly changing visual scene and enjoy walking through many of the Perthshire woodlands.

LETI: Member Jim Bradley is the owner of two self catering holiday sites offering weekly holidays in log cabins and lodges in St Fillans and Killin.

The Art of Quilting - Dianne from Lochearn Guest House Wins Again

2009-10-05T03:02:00.000-07:00

Dianne Watson from Lochearn Quilting has picked up another 3 prizes at this years Great Northern Quilt Show. For the fourth year running, Dianne was awarded a 1st for Longarm Quilting. In addition, she won a 1st for Bed Quilt and a 1st for Wholecloth. She also quilted a number of designs entered by other people, who won awards in different catagories.

Dianne and Matthew run Lochearn House, a 4 star guest house. In addition to bed and breakfast they offer special 3 day breaks including dinner, bed and breakfast. Many quilters and patchworkers take advantage of this by booking in their pieces to have them quilted while they enjoy their holiday and Matthew's delicious food. Lochearn House is in Scotland's Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park amongst spectacular scenery.

LETI: Dianne and Matt are an enthusiastic and talented couple who run their Perthshire guest house in the village of Lochearnhead, where the A84 meets the A85. Dianne's Quilting, and chef Matt's cooking and singing talents are a great talking point ensuring a dinner bed and breakfast experience with a difference.

A Garden Gem at The Inn and Bistro, Strathyre.

2009-09-11T08:40:00.000-07:00

Usually we find folk enjoying the superb views in the non too familiar sunshine but on the 9th July, there was a different find on our beer terrace.

Maxine Victoria Hunt from Skirling, Biggar decided to take full advantage of the space and summer sun in preparation for her performance at Katie Munro’s wedding that afternoon in Balquhidder Kirk.

The beautiful sound of the harp made a very pleasant and unusual interlude thoroughly enjoyed by the appreciative audience who were taking in summer snacks and refreshments .

Many thanks to Victoria for her impromptu renditions.

LETI: Jill and (Chef) Steven Nixon offer their guests comfortable accommodation and a friendly environment. They serve delcious food in their bistro, pub and garden terrace. Enjoy the ever changing selection of real ales by local Scottish brewers. There is nothing like the warmth of their roaring log fire especially on an evening of live music.

Get Active Around Loch Earn - Water Sports centre offers Free incentives

2009-09-10T04:01:00.001-07:00

Active Scotland is our specialist water sports and activities centre in Lochearnhead. We have just released our end of season offers which can be pre-booked by calling the activities reception on 01567 830321.

Get 50% FREE water skiing or wakeboarding on Monday’s and Friday’s through September 2009. Pay for 4 sets(1 hour) and get an extra 2 sets (half an hour) Free!
If you book 4 bikes over the weekend we'll give you 40% off standard rates.
Book the activity centre for FREE in the evening if you are having a get together for over 20 people.
FREE quad bike trek for one if you book 5 others.
FREE tea or coffee before and a FREE mug of soup after if you book 6 quad bikes.
FREE speed boat blast if you spend over £50 in the Loch Earn Café.

Why not try something today with Active Scotland, Lochearnhead. You can visit us at http://www.activescotland.com/ for further details on us, our activities, offers and opening hours.

LETI: Matt and Barry McGrandles attract visitors of all ages and abilities to Loch Earn. They offer an exciting selection of on and off water activities and offer light meals, snacks and beverages from their cafe. Professionals, novices, corporate groups and school children of all ages will find something to suit their taste. Less energetic guests staying in the areas holiday accommodation admit that they go to the centre simply to watch others waterskiing from the comfort of the cafe while enjoying a bacon roll and a coffee. An equally pleasant pastime.

Loch Earn An Inland Loch..Can It Really Be Tidal???

2009-09-09T07:03:00.000-07:00

Scotland’s varied terrain is greatly enhanced by rivers lochs and glens and the Highlands continue to show the effects of glaciation, which has shaped the landscape and provided such a variety of scenery.

The lochs of Scotland provided much needed communication links before the advent of the railway and motor car and both the tidal and non tidal Lochs served this purpose well.

Perhaps best know among Scotland’s Lochs are Loch Lomond and Loch Ness, the latter with its famous monster and the “bonnie banks” of both attracting many visitors.

Tidal lochs such as Loch Etive near Oban demonstrate the power of the sea which is best seen at the Connell Bridge where low tide presents a water fall “The Falls of Laura” as the water of the Loch rush out to sea at low tide. Less well known and somewhat surprising is the tidal nature of Loch Earn, an inland Loch in the heart of Scotland, which is one of only two Scottish Lochs to demonstrate this seiching or tidal effect. (The other Scottish Loch known to have this effect is Loch Treig to the east of Fort William). Probably the best known example of seiching in Europe is Lake Geneva.

The forces that cause this tidal effect are the wind acting on the surface of the east west orientated Loch and thermal stratification. In addition to being a central accommodation base for exploring the rest of Scotland, anyone who visits Loch Earn can enjoy the added attraction of witnessing “seiching” first hand.

Holiday accommodation in Perthshire can be found on the LETI community web site including the four villages around Loch Earn. One example of Perthshire holiday cottages in Scotland is Riverside Cabins set on the banks of the River Earn. Another holiday house that offers clear views of Loch Earn is Earnknowe.

Take a trip to Loch Earn and see if you can observe this tidal effect for yourself.

LETI: Jim Bradley runs two self catering holiday businesses; Riverside Log Cabins in St Fillans (6 cabins sleep up to 6 in 3 bedrooms) and Killin Highland Lodges on a wooded hillside in Killin (11 lodges sleep between 1-8 in 1-4 bedrooms). Jim also makes time to chair the LETI website group.

A Night at the Races

2009-08-06T09:18:00.000-07:00

A trip to Perth Races to attend an evening of racing on Tuesday 28th July 2009 was organised by our Treasurer Pam Hopkins and nine Loch Earn Tourism Initiative members set out full of optimism and excitement.

Traffic jams meant the first race was missed but we all proceeded to win, break even and lose in varying degrees. Pam of Earnknowe Holiday Cottages bet carefully while her husband Lawrie was more reckless and would have put his shirt on if allowed. Jan and Richard Spencer of Glenogle Snax bet steadily with some success but more of Jan later. Our Chairman, Alistair Barclay of Alba Virtual Tours kept his hands in his pockets. He must have been cold or simply tight!! Jim and Liz Bradley of Riverside Cabins and Killin Highland Lodges worked as a team. Liz was the banker and Jim the runner and they both got more and more confused as the evening wore on. The dark horse was Andrew Low, of the Four Seasons Hotel who bet just once, on a horse called “Wotchalike”, and it romped in and as a result champagne suddenly appeared!! The rain set in before the last race and the party retired to the Nelson Suite to count up the winnings and to sink our sorrows but the highlight of the evening was yet to occur.

In driving rain an Abba tribute band struck at the end of racing and our abiding memory of a great day out was of Pam and Jan swaying to “Mama Mia” with Lawrie and Richard holding umbrellas above them and Andrew wishing he had a camera for the evidence.

Sadly the next days’ racing was lost due to a waterlogged track despite it being a beautiful day.

LETI: Clearly LETI members take their duty of experiencing events in the region very seriously indeed. No wonder our accommodation, hospitality, sports and event providers are great ambassadors for the area that they love to work and play in!

Briar Cottage -A House with a Past

2009-08-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

Tune in to BBC Radio Scotland's "A House With A Past" on Monday 10th August at 10.30 and you will hear me (Kim Proven) asking questions about our thatched property, "Briar Cottage" in Lochearnhead, Perthshire. Fraser and I have gathered some facts about owners from previous centuries from the Clan McGregor and McLaren society websites. We are hoping that the BBC programme's house detective, Bruce Durie, will help us to find out more - for example - who were the tenants when the Duke of Breadalbane bought the cottage from the McGregors? How do we find out more about the McGregor baby who was born here in 1727, registered to Balquhidder Parish.

Guests who book Little Briar, our self catering holiday cottage, are always invited to see inside the original byre (now our lounge) to view the cruck framed timber ceiling. It literally looks like two trees holding the roof up! On September 19th and 20th we are opening the cruck room up to the public as part of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park "Doors Open Day" and hope that the BBC will provide us with more information to share.

The McLarens lived in Briar Cottage for 200 years and were related to the McLarens who lived in what is now Earnknowe holiday cottages at Leckine. There you will find the McLarens of Ardveich burial ground. This old private graveyard is also open to visitors on Doors Open Day.

LETI: Members Fraser and Kim Proven are planning to build one more holiday cottage overlooking Loch Earn on their grounds next year. Kim assists the group with website and events publicity and has earned the nickname Max Clifford. She is still trying to work out whether this is a compliment or not.

Fishing Tackle Hire Catches On!

2009-08-01T01:29:00.000-07:00

New for 2009, fishing tackle hire is available from Lochearnhead Post Office. It is already proving very popular with visitors, who don’t have their own equipment but want to spend a few hours trying their hand on the loch. This year we are hiring spinning tackle only, but hope to expand next year and also have bait and fly fishing tackle available. Equipment is available to suit all ages.

LETI: Loch Earn Tourism Initiative members Richard and Cathie Nicholson also sell fishing permits and floats from the Lochearnhead Post Office and shop, for trout fishing on Loch Earn. Fishing boats can be hired from Drummond Estates in Ardveich bay on the banks of Loch Earn. The fishing season on Loch Earn begins March 15 and ends October 6th every year.

New Lochearnhead Souvenirs

2009-07-31T12:27:00.000-07:00

Visitors to the area can now take home a range of Lochearnhead souvenirs, available exclusively from the Lochearnhead Post Office.

Using designs inspired by the local scenery and photographs by Alistair Barclay of Alba Virtual Tours; a range of bookmarks, mugs, fridge magnets and coasters are now available. A new selection of Lochearnhead postcards has also been produced for 2009, available singly or in specially priced assorted packs. It is not easy to find modern or ancient post cards from Lochearnhead so collectors take note. Who knows, this latest batch by a local photographer may appear on Antiques Roadshow in years to come!

LETI: Members Richard and Cathy Nicholson add a personal touch to the Lochearnhead Post Office and shop going out of their way to assist locals and make visitors feel very welcome. They also host the St Fillans service on a Tuesday in its village shop. In addition to regular Post office services, the Nicholsons provide a cash machine, fishing permits, books by local authors, area maps, Greetings Cards, Ice-cream and more.

Cooper Cottages Prides Itself in Finding Suitable Accommodation to Meet Individual Requirements.

2009-07-31T04:48:00.000-07:00

We work closely with accommodation providers in the Breadalbane area of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, where the owners are looking forward to offering you a warm welcome. All of our properties are inspected regularly to ensure that you have the highest standards of accommodation. Just contact us with your requirements and we will do the searching for you.

For the Holiday Maker ... Cooper Cottages brings together a selection of properties providing excellent self-catering accommodation in beautiful locations. Our properties sleep 2 to 8 people comfortably. Each property is personally inspected to ensure that cleanliness and good service are ensured by each property owner. Visitor information with suggestions of places to visit will be available in your accommodation.

For the Cottage Owner ... The collection of holiday cottages featured are brought together by one owner with 10 years experience of running a self-catering business in Scotland. All personally visited prior to acceptance. No allocation is required which means that owners can continue to take their own booking at any time. If you require more information, please contact us, Tel: 01877 384331.

LETI: Christine Cooper is a member of The Loch Earn Tourism Initiative and the owner of Cooper Cottages - a holiday cottage management and letting service.

Holiday Cottage in Scotland with Wild Otters and Famous Grouse Experience

2009-07-29T02:38:00.000-07:00

Just back from our holiday cottage in Balquhidder, where we had a wonderful sojourn even managing to see a pair of wild otters enjoying a frolic in the burn. We entertained a friend from South Africa, packing in a visit to the Famous Grouse Experience, night walks to watch the deer coming down off the hills, swimming in Loch Voil (surprisingly warm) and haggis, neeps and tatties for dinner, complete with a wee dram! Although we are green with envy for people renting our self catering cottage Tigh na Croit over the coming weeks, our southern friends have been surprised to see our healthy, sun-kissed complexions.

LETI: Gail is a member of the Loch Earn Tourism Initiative. Her 400 year old stone built self catering holiday cottage, Tigh Na Croit, is available throughout the year offering 1 twin and 2 double bedrooms in the stunningly beautiful setting of Balquhidder Glen; a tranquil spot within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park of Scotland.

Scotland's Premier Annual Wakeboarding Event, with Air Tricks, Coaching, BBQ, DJ and Live Band "Chunks"- 1st and 2nd August

2009-07-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

Loch Earn Tourism Initiative member Matt McGrandles is the business development director of Active Scotland based at the Water Sports and Activities centre in Lochearnhead, where a number of spectacular events are held throughout the year. Matt is proud to be hosting WakeScot 09 - Scotland’s premier wake boarding event which will be held every year on the first weekend in August. Wakeboarding regulars and wannabees will compete and entertain in the event that will attract rider entries in the U16’s, Rookie, Open Men and Open Women categories. Guest Brett Hodgkins will be on site offering coaching clinics. Brett coached the 1995 and 1996 junior European and world waterski teams and was team captain of the 2002 wakeboard worlds. The event has attracted top sponsors; Rock Star energy drink, Morrisons Landrover Stirling, Belhaven Breweries, Wake and Ski boats UK and Spiked Magazine. In addition to competitors showing off their air tricks against the picturesque backdrop of Loch Earn, there will be a VIP area for invited guests, a DJ marquee with a drinks promotion and an all day BBQ . Finishing off in style, popular live band Chunks will front the after party event. It is little wonder that this well organised event is endorsed by Waterski Scotland and British Water Ski. Well worth a day out if you want to experience a magnificent event in an idyllic setting. Check out the Loch Earn Tourism Initiative website for details of holiday accommodation in the area.

Holiday Accommodation in Rob Roy Country, Scotland

2009-06-15T14:29:00.000-07:00

Searching for holiday accommodation in Scotland? The Loch Earn Tourism Initiative website is updated by holiday accommodation providers who live and work in Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St Fillans. LETI offers a wide selection of self catering accommodation, bed and breakfasts, guest houses, hotels, Inns, caravan sites, lodges, and cottages, in this stunning region of Perthshire. Each village is set in beautiful countryside, steeped in ancient history, with towering mountains, lochs and forests. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy numerous golf courses, Munro's, cycle paths, walks, lochs for fishing and a watersports and activities centre. Enjoy an abundance of wildlife, birds, flora and fauna, a superb selection of places to eat and drink from cafes to award winning restaurants and some spectacular events and activities.