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.

Four Seasons Wine Tasting (Winter)

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

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

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

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.

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.