Themed Short Breaks in a Country Hotel with views over Loch Earn

The Four Seasons Hotel, St Fillans on Loch Earn

 

 

Planning to get away for a well earned rest or do you prefer to be stimulated by themed activities on holiday.  Whatever your idea of a holiday break is, you dont have to travel out of the UK to try out these stimulating themed holiday breaks in Perthshire,  Scotland.  The Four Seasons, a luxury Hotel in St Fillans, Scotland, is offering something for everyone.  The country hotel sits in a picturesque village amongst mountains looking over Loch Earn.  Choose the hotel or its self catering accommodation and enjoy a short break with themes that include The  Beatles, whisky, valentines weekend, The Ryder Cup 2014,  a microlight experience and more.  Contact the Four Seasons Hotel St Fillans for prices and more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Breaks ,  Four Seasons Hotel,  St Fillans  2013

 

• 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.
• 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 
• Capture/Cook/Eat it:  Two night BB plus 1 nt Dinner with Venison main course  plus full day photography tuition, lunch on the  shooting day and all equipment
• Easter Break: 2 nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast including Fizz on arrival 
• Gardens Break , three nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast including Garden Pass (11 gardens)
• Golf Breaks :9 Hole Ticket  Three Day DBB plus 3 day Perthshire Golf Ticket   OR Six Day DBB plus 5 day Perthshire Golf Ticket  18 Hole Ticket  Three Day DBB plus Three Round Green Card  6 Day DBB plus Five Round Green Card  
• Pet Butler  :Doggy Menu, Walking Service, Pet Sitting, Pooches Parlour.  Tailor- made to suit the pampered pet All year (or borrow Sham or Pagne). Pre booking required.
• Photography Break:  Four Days DBB, light packed lunch plus all tuition
• Romantic Break: Three nights DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST plus Champagne) All year       
• Ultimate Girlie: Dinner, Bed and Breakfast (chalet), plus clay pigeon shooting, Minimum 5 pax, boat ride and getaway & chocolate tasting.(Mini Bus hire £100 )
• Stag “do” :As Girlie Getaway, but max 8 pax, and Whisky tasting instead
• Walk on Wild Side: 1 night DBB plus White Water Rafting or Canyoning on/near Loch Tay. Adrenalin Break Can also have canoeing/kayaking in killin
• Walking Breaks : A three day break with hill walkers packed lunch, and D,B&B. 
• Warming Whisky:Two nights B&B, 1 night Dinner, comp dram digestif, Famous Grouse Tour Break – All year   
• Wine Tasting  1& 2 : Friday 8th March – and 15^th November 5 Course Dinner-  wines matched to each course Included.  
• Wine Tasting 3 :  Friday 29^th & Saturday 30^th November St Andrews Nights Whisky and Wine Gourmet
• 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. 
• Micro light flying : includes 60 mins flying from Balado airfield, Kinross. 
• Gliding: includes a  beginners mini course introduction to gliding from Scotlandwell, Kinross -No Experience required
• Off Road Driving or Quads: includes an hour on each
• Ryder Cup Break 2014:   Four Day Break  to include 2 night DBB and 2 night BB 26^th Sept 2014         

 

 If an overnight stay with accommodation is simply not enough for you then contact The Four Seasons Hotel St Fillans 01764 685333 for more details of themed breaks and find out whats on in Perthshire and The Trossachs .

LETI Country Rich in Wildlife Spotting Opportunities, According to Leading Wildlife Author





Otter- copyright Frazer MacFarlane

Happy New Year.  

Did you know that this is "The Year of Natural Scotland 2013" ?  Yes, and The Loch Earn Tourism Initiative (LETI: accommodation, activities, events and retail service providers) is celebrating the country's incredible terrain and inhabitants along with Scotlands tourism community, Visit Scotland and Event Scotland.






Where should you begin to look for beautiful landscapes and fascinating wildlife?  The centre of Scotland is a great place to start.  LETI country is where Perthshire, Stirlingshire and The Trossachs meet at the gateway to The Highlands.  All roads North, South, East and West, lead to other attractions in Scotland. 

Have a look at www.robroycountry.com .  The area boasts landscapes that are as breathtaking and unspoilt today as they were when Queen Victoria, Sir Walter Scott, William and Dorothy Wordsworth visited and even long before Scottish tourism was popularised. The lochs, towering mountains and ancient forests set the scene.


We are not the only species attracted to such landscapes though. The habitat is absolutely perfect for an abundance of incredible creatures and birds bringing the area alive. The villages of Strathyre, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and St Fillans (within The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park of Scotland) are shared with animals and birds that are regularly spotted by visitors, such as; golden eagle, sea eagle, red squirrel, ospreys, ptarmigan, salmon, otter, pine marten, deer and many more species, all year round. Each season we can enjoy different sightings.







Red Squirrel- copyright Frazer MacFarlane

Leading British wildlife author, Jim Crumley, lives locally.  He said: “This whole area has been at the heart of my own home territory as a nature writer for 30 years. It offers such a diversity of habitat – and therefore of wildlife – in such a compact area that I never tire of constant exploration of its mountains, low hills, native woodlands and plantation forests, wetland, and a remarkable diversity of lochs and rivers. I find that constantly re-working a familiar landscape is the best way to understand how nature works. It’s also true that the knowledge you gain of nature’s way of doing things is transferable to other landscapes, so that wherever I travel in Scotland and occasionally further afield, I carry my writer’s territory with me in my head. I know my native country pretty well, and it’s fair to say that whether you are a garden birdwatcher or mountain trekker or something in between, there is nowhere in Scotland that is richer in opportunities for getting close to nature than right here.”

If you would like to experience wildlife watching, similar to BBC Autumwatch and Springwatch, with hideouts and cameras focused on; pine martens, red squirrels, badgers etc, from the Strathyre Outdoor centre, then have a look at the services provided by Tony at Natural Trossachs 

 

Hidden Glen Safaris, offers an off-road jeep experience in Balquhidder. The tour combines nature watching with access to incredible scenery that is off the beaten track, with ancient stories of the Glen told on route.

 

Glenample Estates on the south side of Loch Earn attracts many overseas visitors who have been returning to enjoy the hospitality of LETI members for years. In addition to land management and improvement projects, like re populating black grouse, the estate manager offers a range of unique and tailor made wildlife experiences.

 

Whether you are an enthusiast or simply enjoy wildlife in the setting of your holiday, the LETI community of four villages in central Scotland is a perfect spot to base yourself.  Visit www.robroycountry.com for a choice of camping, caravans, bunkhouse, cabins, bed and breakfast, cottages, lodges, guest house, restaurant with rooms, hotels, luxury boutique hotel or email enquiries@robroycountry.com

Trossachs ©Frazer MacFarlane


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LOCH EARN TOURISM INITIATIVE (LETI) STRENGTHENS MARKETING TEAM

 

Neil's Seaplane  and The Lochearnhead Water Sports Centre
 by local photographer Alistair Barclay  © Alba Virtual Tours

The Loch Earn Tourism Initiative (LETI),  www.roboycountry.com   is preparing to launch a new marketing programme that hopes to rekindle love of romantic Scotland. The plan is to spark fresh interest in this idyllic part of Scotland and promote it as the natural destination for all year round short breaks and day trips within the UK. LETI members welcome their guests and visitors when the mountains are capped in snow and the fires are burning as well when the days are long.

As part of this plan LETI has appointed Shena Campbell (see Notes), who has many years of experience in delivering communications programmes for industry and trade body organisations.

 

LETI, which lies within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, will focus initially on promoting the area and all it has to offer as a destination for short breaks within the UK. Known for its outstanding natural beauty with its mountains, lochs and forests, the area, also known as Rob Roy Country after the famous Highland hero Rob Roy MacGregor, includes the picturesque villages of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Strathyre.

LETI membership was established through an enthusiasm and appreciation for all this part of the country has to offer the visitor. The LETI communities have a reputation for the warm welcome and the wealth of activities that they offer visitors all year round in addition to the breathtaking landscape in this magical part of central Scotland.

Commenting on behalf of LETI members, Kim Proven said, “We are proud to live and work in such a natural and romantic setting where guests will experience local annual events and activities like water sports, golf, fishing, deer stalking, wildlife watching, fine dining and more adventurous pursuits including flying lessons by seaplane and Landrover safari tours.

There is also a wealth of Scottish history and folklore to uncover and plenty of opportunities to walk and climb at all levels.”

“Our plan is to attract new and repeat guests by re-awakening their senses to, and showing those who have never ventured here, the beauty, interest and diversity of what we have to offer. We believe that Shena Campbell’s skills and experience will be of great value to LETI in this process and we look forward to working with her.”
 

LETI: Shena Campbell is a PR professional and a former board director of Bell Pottinger with more than 20 years experience in advising organisations on their public relations and strategic communications. She has worked on a wide range of clients including Burns Stewart Distillers, The Beardmore Conference Hotel, the UK launch of easyJt, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Imes Group, 15 Royal Terrace Day Spa and Strathcarron Hospice.

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An Olympic Seafood Festival

Following the great success of its taster menu focusing on Scottish produce in winter and early spring Achary House Hotel in rural Perthshire is running a Seafood Taster night during the Olympics from July 27th to August 12th. The taster will be a six small courses, each featuring Scottish sea produce (even the dessert!). Langoustine Rates for two people are from £180 to £150, depending on the room booked. This includes the six course seafood taster menu and breakfast the following morning as well as an overnight stay. To book, call 0560 368 4252.

LETI: Alan and Jane Gibson are the proprietors of The Achray House Hotel in St Fillans Perthshire overlooking Loch Earn from the restaurant, bar and outdoor decking.  Check their website for information on accommodation, food and drink, short breaks and a choice of hotel or holiday lodge accommodation. 

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Four Seasons Inspired Head Chef

Hi Folks,

Just a quick note on what is happening here in the Four Season Hotel kitchen right now!!  All change with the seasonally inspired menus both in the Fine Dining Meall Reamhar Restaurant and the Tarken Bistro.

As far as the Bistro is concerned, we have kept some of the old favourites like the Beer Battered Haddock and our ‘famous’ Scotch Steak and Spring Onion Pate, served with Mary’s favourite ‘tomato and sweet chilli jam’ (got to keep the management happy).  We have also added other delights such as Salmon and Crab Fishcakes, our own Thai cured cold smoked Salmon (an absolute must try) and due to popular demand, a spicy Curry (fresh spring Lamb and Apricot).  There is also a twist on a classic ‘Surf & Turf’ – prime Scotch Rib Eye Steak with grilled Langoustine. 

The menus in the Meall Reamhar Restaurant have had their three monthly makeover, (in keeping with the four seasons, no pun intended).  We have some night light summery dishes such as smoked Salmon and Cucumber Panna Cotta, Goat’s Cheese, Orange and Beetroot Salad and of course, our signature dishes of hand dived Scallops and Gateau of Angus/Limousin Beef Fillet, both of which are always well received. 

Over the past year, we have had very good feedback about our vegetarian food (not just from vegetarians) and we continue to make dining for vegetarians as interesting, varied and delicious as everyone else. 

The team at the Four Seasons, (kitchen and front of house) which is largely unchanged from last year, are always striving for excellence and will continue to push ourselves towards this goal, to which end, I need to return to the stove!  We look forward to greeting guest’s – old and new – in the coming seasons and if you wish to meet me during your stay / visit, please just ask.

Bon Appetit

P J Woods

Head Chef.
The Four Seasons Hotel- St Fillans

LETI: The Four Seasons Hotel is in the picturesque village of St Fillans with stunning views  over the east end of  Loch Earn.

The Broch Project at Strathyre

Brochs are only found in Scotland. Dating back to The Iron Age; they are Drystone hollow walled structures.

Find out more about Brochs and The Strathyre Broch project from John Hemingways blog here http://glenvarlochs.blogspot.co.uk .

Also have a look at Glenvarloch self catering  accommodation in Strathyre between Perthshire and The Trossachs.

LETI:  John Hemingway joined LETI at the beginning of 2012. He offers self catering holidays in Strathyre for 6 people in an architect designed open plan house not far from the Strathyre Broch. The holiday home is open in all seasons, conveniently situated adjacent to Sustrans National Cycle route 7 and The Rob Roy Way which is part of Scotlands GORE-TEX national trail.

Balquhidder Bomber Crash

Whitley Bomber Crash Balquhidder Glen 1940

On the 24^th November 1940 about one o'clock in the morning a Whitley Bomber crashed in Fhathan Ghlinne (the ringed glen) just over the top of the hill from Balquhidder Glen. The plane had left Ardoyne in Ireland on coastal command patrolling the Irish west coast and had become lost. 

My father, James Fergusson better known as ‘Jimmy Muirlaggan’, had been out till late that night and on his way home saw a glow in the sky but it was a bitterly cold wet night with poor visibility and he did not think of a plane crashing in the hills.

Whitley Bomber wreckage in Balquhidder Glen 1940

Next morning he and his shepherd were out on the hills checking the sheep, my father on Muirlaggan, and Angus Robertson the shepherd, heading for Tuarach, came across a man trying to cross the river between Lochs Voil and Doine. Unfortunately Tuarach house was unoccupied and the man was trying to reach Monachyle where there were people living. He had a plank of wood and was hoping to swim the deep channel when Angus found him. Having ascertained that the man was British and that he was Sgt. Hamilton the rear  gunner of a plane that had crashed on the top of the hill, Angus tried to help him back to Muirlaggan but he was too weak to walk far so Angus ran the three miles to the farm to get a horse to collect the gunner and bring him to safety.

Someone from Muirlaggan went down to the Post Office in the village to send a wire to the police and by the time my Father came off the hill much later in the day he was met by a policeman who asked if he had seen a plane or survivors on the hill. The police wanted my father to turn round and climb the hill again looking for the plane or survivors but he insisted on first speaking to Sgt Hamilton who was lying on the couch in Muirlaggan kitchen being looked after by my father’s housekeeper. From Sgt Hamilton my father knew exactly where to look for the plane but by this time it was after three  o’clock  and darkness was falling. Joined by another Constable and some specials they all set off to climb the four miles to where the plane had crashed but they found no more survivors . The police Sgt had instructions that if the plane was found someone had to stay on guard all night, but my father would not allow him to stay in the bitter cold and lashing rain and quite forcibly brought him back to Muirlaggan having guaranteed that no-one would interfere with the plane in the night and that he would surely have perished himself if he had stayed on the hilltop all night.

The Police, joined by ten men from the Air Force all stayed at Muirlaggan that night and set off at first light next day. My father and Angus had two horses with pack saddles to bring the bodies down to a waiting Army truck .

Sgt Hamilton’s account of the flight to my father was that the plane had left Ardoyne on their mission although the wireless operator and the observer were strangers to the rest of the crew and that one man had gone up for a joy flight (sic). The observer lost bearings then the wireless failed so they got completely lost . Having flown over Glasgow thinking that it was Belfast and that they were over the sea they flew low over Aberfoyle coming north before turning west straight into the hillside about fifty feet from the summit. The tail broke off and Sgt Hamilton had to crawl along the wreckage to get out. The front of the plane went on fire with the rest of the crew inside. As soon as it was light he climbed to the top of the hill where he could see the glen and Lochs Voil and Doine . Thinking that he was looking at the Lakes of Killarney and that he could be interned he decided to risk coming down the hill to rest in Tuarach house before attempting to cross the river to Monachyle. 

The guns were salvaged by the Air Force at the time , the bombs that were on board were set off in the hills and the propeller was later  taken to the Forestry Commission’s small museum in Strathyre, now moved elsewhere, possibly to the air museum at Scone. All the remaining parts have been removed over the years.  Further information gleaned much later were that the Whitley bomber crew was Sgt Barnfather, Sgt Westoby, Sgt Curtis,  Sgt Perfect, Sgt Hamilton (the survivor) and P/O Whitsed whose relatives came over from South Africa in 1990 to ask me if they could see where the tragedy had taken place.

Postscripts to this story;

                                                                                                                     

Fhathan Ghlinne my father’s correct Gaelic spelling of the area not as now spelled on OS maps. Sgt William Stanley Hamilton disappeared after he left Muirlaggan and has never been found to my knowledge. The other airmen were buried in Grangemouth. Some say that the plane left from Aldergrove  airfield in Ireland but Sgt Hamilton said Ardoyne in his statement to my father.

The photographs were sent to me by Mr Forshaw who had been to the crash site some time soon after the accident.

LETI: Catriona Oldham, who wrote this account of an event that may otherwise have been forgotten, still lives at Muirlaggan in Balquhidder.  Alongside her husband Lawrie, Catriona  runs Muirlaggan's Lochside Cottages and caravan holiday accommodation in BalquhidderVoil. Catriona has also written for the Loch Earn Tourism Initiative website about Clan Fergusson and her families presence around Balquhidder for generations.