Loch Katrine, Lomond and Trossachs Park

Curling on 9th January 2010 on Lake of Menteith

Lochside House and The Pier at Stronachlachar, Loch Katrine

The Walter Scott at the Pier at Loch Katrine, Lomond and Trossachs Park

Lochside House in the loch Lomond and Trossachs Park. Available for rent at www.lomondandtrossachs.com

Views from Lochside House Loch Katrine

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Musuem

Going on a guided tour of Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow tonight. This might become a tour we can offer to our guests who stay at our cottages in Loch Lomond and Trossachs Park.

Whats on near Loch Lomond and Trossachs cottages.

Tonight Wednesday 27th January 2010 -

" Mountain man" Cameron McNeish gives a talk on his extensive experience of walking in the hills and mountains in and around Loch Lomond and Trossachs Park and thru out Scotland.

Carnegie Library Ayr £6

Rosslyn Chapel in 3D

Culture Minister, Fiona Hyslop today released cutting edge 3D images of historical Rosslyn Chapel.

Rosslyn Chapel, a Catergory A listed building dating back to 1446, gained worldwide fame from the publication of Dan Brown's book and subsequent film the Da Vinci Code.

The shots above are from a project developed by Hitoric Scotland and Digital Design Studio at the Glasgow Scool of Art, to survey and interpret heritage structures, creating the dinfinitive 3D record of the architecture.

The following link takes you to the Historic Scotland article www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/news

Waterside Cottage Loch Katrine in Lomond and Trossachs Park

Before and after photos of Waterside Cottage at Loch Katrine in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs Park.

Waterside Cottage is now a 3 bedroom self catering Holiday cottage with a log burning fire and oak wood floors. This was a former stable block to Stronachlachar House.

Loch Lomond and Trossachs Cottages

Here are some before and after photos of some of our cottages up at Loch Katrine in Loch Lomond and Trossachs Park.

The Pier Tearoom, Loch Katrine. Loch Lomond and Trossachs.

The Pier Tearoom at Loch Katrine, just 100 yards from Waterside Cottage and Lochside House.

The Tea room will be open again early February for the School half term week on 13th February 2010.

The huge log fire makes it nice and cosy what ever time of year you visit.

Why not come and stay in our Loch Lomond and Trossachs Cottages http://www.lomondandtrossachs.com/

Sunset at Loch Ard, Lomond and Trossachs park

The road to Lochside house and Waterside Cottage at Loch Katrine in the lomond and trossachs park provides some spectacular views. Here's one at Kinlochard. No matter what time of year you visit there are always great photo opportunities.

Loch Arklet in Lomond and Trossachs Park

This was the view today just 500 yards away from Waterside Cottage and Lochside House at Loch Katrine. Lomond and Trossachs Park www.lomondandtrossachs.com

Views around loch Katrine today

Come and enjoy the beautiful winter scenery at Loch Lomond and Trossachs

Why not come and enjoy this beautiful scenery in person and stay at Waterside Cottage or Lochside Apartment for a special break. http://www.lomondandtrossachs.com/

Unofficial Bonspiel Lake of Menteith?

Apparently there is an unofficial Bonspiel or Grand Match going to take place on Tuesday 12th at Lake of Mentieth. See my last few posts for the full story.

Inchmahome Priory on the island at Lake of Menteith

Photos from on the ice at Lake of Menteith

Here's some photos from or day out on the ice at Lake of Mentieth. It was such a surreal experience walking on a frozen Lake. I would never have dreamt of ever doing such a "foolhardy" thing, but this was just so unique. We walked across the lake to the largest island Inchmahome to see Inchmahome Priory, an ancient monastery. The priory served as refuge to Mary Queen of Scots in 1547. She was only four years old at the time and stayed for three weeks after the disastrous Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in September of that year.

The lake was full of locals enjoying this rare occasion with the whole lake frozen to a depth of more than 7 inches. No matter where you looked on the lake people where out walking on it.
It's a real shame that traffic safety issues have prevented the "Grand Match" from happening, but today we saw many small curling matches taking place and they were GRAND.

Bonspiel - Latest news

Latest news appears to be that the Bonspiel at Lake of Menteith is not going to happen.

Below is a statement from the Royal Caledonian Curling Club: Friday 8th January 2010

"It is with great disappointment that The Royal Caledonian Curling Club has made the decision not to hold the proposed Grand Match on the Lake of Mentieth. Following extensive discussions with a wide variety of interested parties including Central Scotland Police, The Fire and Rescue Service, the Scottish Ambulance Service, and Stirling Council it has not proved possible to address all health and safety concerns and receive the full backing of the Emergency Services within the timescales involved. Without achieving this it would be impossible to gain the necessary insurance to hold the event. Every possible effort has been made to facilitate this unique event but it has been acknowledged that public safety must remain the primary concern. All parties involved will continue to investigate options available to organise such an event at some point in the future, and insure that this iconic spectacle is made possible for the curlers and the public's safe enjoyment. The Royal Club would like to thank all interested parties for their endeavours to stage this match".

Bonspiel at Lake of Mentieth, Lomond and Trossachs Park

It looks like there might be a Bonspiel for the first time in 30 years at Lake of Mentieth next week on Tuesday 12th January. The last one here was in 1979.

The lake will be turned into a giant curling rink if the depth of the ice reaches 7 inches, the current depth is said to be 6 inches. This depth of 7 inches is required by the Royal Caledonian Curling Club to arrange a "Grand Match", which will involve thousands of participants from curling clubs from the north and south of Scotland.

The RCCC will cut out 200 lanes and targets in the ice for the Bonspiel. Bonspiel is the Scots word for an outdoor curling tournament. The Lake of Menteith Hotel will be a focal point for the event.

Bonspiels are rare events and this will be a small piece of history in the making.

Why not come along and be part of history. This is probably a once in a life time experience.

Image of a Bonspiel at Loch Leven in 1933 (Rampantscotland.com)

Loch Lomond and Trossachs Cottages www.lomondandtrossachs.com

January & February Specials - Make us an Offer

20% OFF - OR - Why not make us an offer for dates we have available at Lochside Apartment and Waterside Cottage during January. more information at http://www.lomondandtrossachs.com/

Loch Arklet and the Arrochar Alps

The view from the window at Lochside House, Loch Katrine is above

The road to Lochside House at Loch Katrine finishes with this spectacular view every time you visit

Loch Lomond and Trossachs Photos

More pictures from around our cottages at Loch Katrine from this week including sunset at Lochard and a frozen Loch Chon

Back from Tenerife to freezing conditions and snow.

Here's the view of the road to ourcottages at Loch Katrine in the Lomond and Trossachs Park.

Passable with care.

Also a great view of Loch Arklet and the Arrochar Alps