Free local hospitality and attraction gift vouchers with Lochearnhead Holiday Cottage bookings

Kim Proven with Robert Kerr, chef and owner of The Lochearnhead Hotel

Looking for added value when booking a self catering cottage for 2-4 people? Kim and Fraser Proven, owners  of Briar Cottages in Lochearnhead are giving out free gift vouchers in conjunction with local businesses in the hospitality, attractions and service sectors of Loch Earn and Strathearn.  Gifts are offered with any week booked in Luxury Briar Steading sleeping 4 or pet friendly Little Briar Cottage sleeping 2-4 throughout the summer 2012.   Kim says "Our neighbouring villages, accommodation providers and other businesses work together.  We have to help with recommendation when guests ask us where they can eat and what there is for them to do and so it makes sense for us to work in partnership with reputable businesses to enhance our guests experiences" 

Briar Cottages from the rear paddock

Voucher gifts include "Free petrol from Lix Toll garage Killin",  "Dinner and drinks at The Lochearnhead Hotel restaurant overlooking Loch Earn",  "A weekend or weekday round of golf for 2-4 at Sandy Lyles favourite inland course St Fillans Golf Club at the east end of Loch Earn" (plus your voucher enables any  additional rounds over the 7 days at half price),  "Free entry for 2-4 to Auchingarrich Wildlife Park including chef and park owner Andrew's tea room ( yummy home made cakes),  "Water skiing, wakeboarding, zorbing, canoes, boat hire or whatever you choose with a monetary voucher for The Lochearnhead Water Sports Centre" (there is also a cafe),  or "Afternoon tea at The Four Seasons Hotel,  St Fillans '  including tasty moist sandwiches with a filling of your choice,  freshly baked scones, tea bread, short bread, tea or coffee and superb views over Loch Earn looking west. 

Briar Cottages Slipway

Vouchers range from £15 to £50.  Any voucher for entrance tickets are for 4 people when booking luxury Briar Steading and for 2 people with a week at dog friendly Little Briar Cottage. The gift vouchers will be waiting in your chosen cottage on the first day of arrival. View the availability pages for Briar cottage holidays Perthshire  and see what the feature gift of the month is.  In addition to these extra value offers Briar Cottages also provide free fishing in the garden, picnic spots, three acre grounds, a visit inside the original thatched house, spectacular views over Loch Earn, a slipway, jetty, moorings,  summer house and use of the hot tub. See www.stayatbriar.co.uk for further details and photographs.  

LETI: Fraser and Kim Proven live on the grounds in Briar Cottage an original B listed thatched cottage housing its original cruck timber framed ceiling. The house was once owned by the Earls of Breadalbane(Campbells). Tenant crofters are known to have included families of local clans McGregor and McLaren whose descendants still travel from around the world to visit and take photos.

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

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.

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.