Scotland’s five World Heritage Sites - Loch Lomond and Trossachs Cottages

Join in the fun at The Antonine Wall on 18 April to mark
World Heritage Day 2012!

On World
Heritage Day, Historic Scotland’s ‘Shadows of Our Ancestors’ project will be
celebrating Scotland’s five World Heritage Sites – The Antonine Wall, The Old
and New Towns of Edinburgh, The Heart of Neolithic Orkney, New Lanark and St
Kilda.

Redfield Arts
will be bringing together artworks and performances from each of these
locations in a unique celebration of the diversity and cultural significance of
Scotland’s World Heritage Sites.

This free
event will be held at the Croy Miners’ Welfare Charitable Society, at the foot
of Croy Hill, a key site on The Antonine Wall.

The event
will run from 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm, and will include physical theatre
performances, guided walks along The Antonine Wall, and a special exhibition
showcasing artworks from each of Scotland’s World Heritage Sites.

There may
also be one or two surprises on the night, so don’t miss out - come along and
be a part of this special celebration!

For
information

Limited
parking will be available at the Croy Miners’ Welfare. A free Park and Ride
service will also be operating between Croy station and the Miners’ Welfare
every 20 minutes. The first departure is from 7 pm
onwards.

Please note
that if taking part in the guided tours to the Antonine Wall, we recommend that
you come prepared for the Scottish weather.

For more
information about the ‘Shadows of Our Ancestors’ World Heritage Day 2012 Project,
please visit the website www.shadows2012.co.uk

Stirling Castle Event near Loch Lomond and Trossachs Cottages

BE
SPELLBOUND AT AN ENCHANTED EVENING AT STIRLING CASTLE


Experience
Stirling Castle without the crowds by coming to an exclusive Castle Magic event
on Saturday 7th April and be entertained by world-class magicians.

There will
be an exciting display of sophisticated magic tricks, dark stories from the
castle’s dramatic history and quick fire humour aimed at an adult audience. A
bar is available. Tickets are available for adults and children aged 12
and above.

The event
takes place from 8:00pm – 10:30 pm. Doors open at 7.30 pm.

Places are
limited, so don’t miss out, book online at www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk

Adult
£15:00, Concession £10.00, Historic Scotland member £10.00


For
information:

Performers:

KRAMUS
NEXIFIUS (Mark Fisken)
Mark
is an accomplished magician from the Kingdom of Fife, Scotland. He has
performed previously at Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, on board the Orient
Express and at the Royal Palace of Falkland. A proud member of the Magic
Circle, he has entertained throughout Scotland, England and Germany with his
mystical character, the 2000 year old Wizard, Kramus Nexifius. Kramus also
starred alongside side 16 International Magicians at the Magical 1 Malaysia
Festival in March 2012.

PAUL
DABEK
From
England comes one of the world's fastest rising Magic Stars. A multi-award
winner, he just finished a highly acclaimed run of shows at the Edinburgh
Festival and starred in the Magical 1 Malaysia Festival Kuala Lumpur. Paul
presents an eclectic mix of jaw-dropping sleight of hand, enchanting illusion
and quick-fire comedy, presented with an impish sense of mischief.

ALEX
PROCTOR
Alex
has been astounding audiences for over 25 years in both the UK and across in
the USA. Acclaimed by Davenports Magic (London) as “the best children’s
magician we have ever seen” Alex has performed to family and adult audiences in
Edinburgh Castle, Gleneagles Hotel, London’s Tower Bridge and alongside other
International Magicians in the Palace of Magic. Alex is much in demand, by
magic clubs, to lecture about his art in both the UK and the United States of
America. In 2005/6 Alex was elected to the prestigious office of President of
The Scottish Conjurers Association and is past president of The Scottish
Association of Magical Societies

PROFESSOR
KNIGHT & ROSS of MASKOT PUPPET THEATRE
Can
you believe Mr. Punch is 350 years old this year and we're celebrating his
birthday? He is coming to the Enchanted Castle in his own inimitable style; not
forgetting Judy, the Crocodile, the Sausages, the Policeman, the Doctor, Joey
the Clown, Jack Ketch, The Ghost and The Devil. Get ready to shout 'That's the
way to do it' and experience all the magic of the tradition. Professor's Knight
and Ross of Maskot Puppet Theatre will entertain you from their very own Punch
and Judy Booth plus walkabout. This performance is a forerunner of The
Big Grin Heritage Trail that will be coming to Scotland this summer courtesy of
The Scottish Mask & Puppet Centre and PuppetLink supported by The Heritage
Lottery Fund."

LEWIS
BARLOW
Lewis
is a World Class Close-Up Magician and proud winner of numerous national
conjuring awards. Lewis produces unforgettable reactions wherever he performs.
Combining astonishing magic with a relaxed manner, his unique skills have led
him to become one of the UK’s most sought after magicians. He is also magical
consultant to the BBC, past president of the Edinburgh Magic Circle and enjoyed
success with his one man show at the Fringe and as part of Magic Fest.

GREAT FAMILY DAYS OUT Around Loch Lomond and Trossachs Cottages

GREAT FAMILY DAYS OUT NOW SPRING IS
HERE


Now that Spring is here, Historic
Scotland’s seasonal heritage sites are opening their doors to welcome visitors.

The 25 seasonal properties across
Scotland which will be opening to the public on 1st April range from
Arnol Blackhouse in the Outer Hebrides to the stunning Edzell Castle and Garden
in Perthshire to the 13th century Inchmaholme Priory set on an
island in the Lake of Menteith and only accessible by boat.

Visitors looking for inspiration can
visit a special web page http://www.blogger.com/www.dosomethinggreat.co.uk
and insert their postcode to find out about exciting properties in their area.

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for
Culture and External Affairs said: “Spring is a wonderful time to enjoy
all that Scotland has to offer, from castles to cathedrals, cairns to standing
stones.

“Scotland’s finest heritage
attractions make for a great family day out with an opportunity to explore
Scotland’s history and heritage.

“This is the Year of Creative
Scotland 2012 and I am looking forward to many exciting events to
celebrate our amazing history and heritage.”

If you
need the bracing sea air to get rid of the winter cobwebs, Tantallon Castle in
East Lothian with its dramatic setting above the cliffs on the Firth of
Forth is the perfect location. It also offers a great view of the Bass Rock
with its colony of gannets and fulmars which nest on the cliffs below the
castle.

.Lochleven Castle in Perthshire is
associated with many colourful events and has been visited by countless
personalities during its history. Some of those taking the boat across
Loch Leven came of their own accord, including King Robert the Bruce in 1313
and 1323, but the most famous visitor was Mary Queen of Scots, who was
imprisoned there in 1567 for almost a year. Located within a National
Nature Reserve, the loch supports the largest population of breeding ducks in
Britain.
Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement in Shetland provides a fascinating
insight into the way of life from the Bronze age through to the Middle Ages
with oval-shaped Bronze Age houses, Iron Age broch and wheelhouses and Viking
long-houses as well as a rich collection of artefacts

And if
you need to burn off calories before feasting on Easter Eggs, a climb up
Cairnpapple Hill, a former ceremonial site and also burial site boasts
breathtaking views over Central Scotland and even as far as Goat Fell on Arran


Stephen
Duncan, Historic Scotland’s Director of Commercial and Tourism said:

“Now that
the Easter holidays are almost upon us, it’s the perfect time to get children
away from their x boxes, make them use their imagination and have fun at one of
our fantastic sites as well as learn about Scotland’s fascinating history and
heritage.

“Historic
Scotland membership is a great way for families to enjoy great days for less
than £7:00 a month. Membership also enables free admission to all of Historic
Scotland’s 78 paid-entry visitor attractions throughout the country, as well as
free entry to a host of special events taking place at them throughout the
year, from jousting at Linlithgow Palace to medieval mayhem at Caerlaverock
Castle.”

For more
information, please visit the Historic Scotland website, www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events

GREAT FAMILY DAYS OUT Around Loch Lomond and Trossachs Cottages

GREAT FAMILY DAYS OUT NOW SPRING IS
HERE


Now that Spring is here, Historic
Scotland’s seasonal heritage sites are opening their doors to welcome visitors.

The 25 seasonal properties across
Scotland which will be opening to the public on 1st April range from
Arnol Blackhouse in the Outer Hebrides to the stunning Edzell Castle and Garden
in Perthshire to the 13th century Inchmaholme Priory set on an
island in the Lake of Menteith and only accessible by boat.

Visitors looking for inspiration can
visit a special web page www.dosomethinggreat.co.uk
and insert their postcode to find out about exciting properties in their area.

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for
Culture and External Affairs said: “Spring is a wonderful time to enjoy
all that Scotland has to offer, from castles to cathedrals, cairns to standing
stones.

“Scotland’s finest heritage
attractions make for a great family day out with an opportunity to explore
Scotland’s history and heritage.

“This is the Year of Creative
Scotland 2012 and I am looking forward to many exciting events to
celebrate our amazing history and heritage.”

If you
need the bracing sea air to get rid of the winter cobwebs, Tantallon Castle in
East Lothian with its dramatic setting above the cliffs on the Firth of
Forth is the perfect location. It also offers a great view of the Bass Rock
with its colony of gannets and fulmars which nest on the cliffs below the
castle.

.Lochleven Castle in Perthshire is
associated with many colourful events and has been visited by countless
personalities during its history. Some of those taking the boat across
Loch Leven came of their own accord, including King Robert the Bruce in 1313
and 1323, but the most famous visitor was Mary Queen of Scots, who was
imprisoned there in 1567 for almost a year. Located within a National
Nature Reserve, the loch supports the largest population of breeding ducks in
Britain.
Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement in Shetland provides a fascinating
insight into the way of life from the Bronze age through to the Middle Ages
with oval-shaped Bronze Age houses, Iron Age broch and wheelhouses and Viking
long-houses as well as a rich collection of artefacts

And if
you need to burn off calories before feasting on Easter Eggs, a climb up
Cairnpapple Hill, a former ceremonial site and also burial site boasts
breathtaking views over Central Scotland and even as far as Goat Fell on Arran


Stephen
Duncan, Historic Scotland’s Director of Commercial and Tourism said:

“Now that
the Easter holidays are almost upon us, it’s the perfect time to get children
away from their x boxes, make them use their imagination and have fun at one of
our fantastic sites as well as learn about Scotland’s fascinating history and
heritage.

“Historic
Scotland membership is a great way for families to enjoy great days for less
than £7:00 a month. Membership also enables free admission to all of Historic
Scotland’s 78 paid-entry visitor attractions throughout the country, as well as
free entry to a host of special events taking place at them throughout the
year, from jousting at Linlithgow Palace to medieval mayhem at Caerlaverock
Castle.”

For more
information, please visit the Historic Scotland website, www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events

Stirling Castle Concert near Loch Lomond and Trossachs Cottages

An evening of
Schumann’s Music and poetry at Stirling Castle

Music and poetry lovers will be
pleased to hear that Stirling Castle is hosting an evening of music and poetry
with local soprano Elizabeth McCormack accompanied by pianist Julia Lynch, with
performances by the Beaconhurst Choir and pupils in a range of languages.
The event will take place on Sunday 1st
April at 7:30 pm in the historic surroundings of the Chapel Royal at Stirling
Castle.
The music will include Robert
Schumann’s Frauenliebe und Leben and will also feature the Premiere of Tom
Wilson’s Blutenblatter. In addition there will be text by local
playwright Clive Wright.
Gillian Macdonald, Executive Manager
of Stirling Castle said: “We are really delighted to be hosting a music
Premiere in the beautiful surroundings of the Chapel Royal of Stirling Castle.
“What’s more, it is particularly
appropriate to be showcasing such local talent in the Year of Creative Scotland
2012.”
Tickets cost £15.00 for adults and
£13.00 for concessions and Historic Scotland members. They are available
from the Albert Halls on 01786 473544

SCOTLAND’S ATTRACTIONS OPEN FREE TO MARK ST ANDREW’S DAY

PRESS RELEASE FROM HISTORIC SCOTLAND

SCOTLAND’S FINEST HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS OPEN FREE FOR FOUR DAYS TO MARK ST ANDREW’S DAY

With St Andrew’s Day just a few days away, why not plan to celebrate Scotland’s national day with a visit to one of our country’s great historic sites?

Historic Scotland is offering the perfect incentive – free entry to 48 outstanding heritage attractions throughout the country for four days : Saturday 27th, Sunday 28th , Monday 29th and St Andrew’s Day itself, Tuesday 30th November.

Fiona Hyslop MSP, Minister for Culture and External Affairs said: “Enjoying a visit to one of Scotland’s finest historic properties is a wonderful way to mark our country’s national day and celebrate our rich heritage and culture as part of Scotland’s Winter Festivals.

“The offer of free admission, on the run-up to St Andrew’s Day and the 30th itself, will encourage and enable as many people as possible to do just that. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy a memorable day out whilst appreciating and taking pride in our nation’s rich built heritage.”

The St Andrew’s free entry offer covers a selection of leading historic attractions across the length and breadth of Scotland.

This comprises sites in Orkney and the Western Isles – Skara Brae and the Arnol Blackhouse; in the North and Grampian – including Corgarff Castle, Elgin Cathedral, Fort George and Urquhart Castle; in Perthshire, Kinross and Angus - including Arbroath Abbey, Edzell Castle, and Huntingtower Castle; in the Central and West region – including Castle Campbell, Doune Castle, Iona Abbey, and Stirling Castle; in Edinburgh and the Lothians – including Edinburgh Castle, Craigmillar Castle and Dirleton Castle; in the Glasgow and Clyde region – including Bothwell Castle, Dumbarton Castle, and Glasgow Cathedral; in Fife - including Dunfermline Palace and St Andrews Cathedral, in the Borders - including Melrose Abbey and Smailholm Tower, and in Dumfries and Galloway - including Caerlaverock Castle, New Abbey Corn Mill, and Sweetheart Abbey.

Edinburgh Castle will also be getting in the St. Andrews spirit by turning blue for the duration of the free opening.

To find out your nearest participating attraction and details of opening times, you can text GO FREE to 84118. A complete listing of all properties included in the St Andrew’s free entry offer is also provided below.


Ends.


• St Andrew’s Day heralds the start of Scotland’s Winter Festival. Scotland’s Winter Festivals, which also includes Hogmanay and Burns Night, is a programme of more than 60 exciting and distinctive events designed to celebrate Scotland’s contemporary and traditional culture and promote Scotland as a year round festival destination. Find out more at www.scotlandswinterfestivals.com

• For the past four years, Historic Scotland has opened its doors for free at a wide range of its properties as part of a special Scotland-wide St Andrew’s Day promotion in celebration of our national day. This has proved extremely popular with visitors from this country and overseas and this year, the free entry offer has been extended to four days.

• Historic Scotland sites open free are:
Arbroath Abbey
•Arnol Blackhouse (not open on 28th November, Sunday)
•Blackness Castle
•Bothwell Castle
•Caerlaverock Castle
•Cardoness Castle
•Castle Campbell
•Corgarff Castle
•Craigmillar Castle
•Craignethan Castle
•Dallas Dhu Distillery
•Dirleton Castle
•Doune Castle
•Dryburgh Abbey
•Duff House
•Dumbarton Castle
•Dunblane Cathedral
•Dunfermline Palace
•Dundrennan Abbey
•Dunstaffnage Castle
•Edinburgh Castle
•Edzell Castle
•Elgin Cathedral
•Fort George
•Glasgow Cathedral (normally a donation only based site without admission charges)
•Huntingtower Castle
•Huntly Castle
•Iona Abbey
•Jedburgh Abbey
•Linlithgow Palace
•Maeshowe Visitor Centre
•Melrose Abbey
•New Abbey Corn Mill
•Rothesay Castle
•Skara Brae
•Smailholm Tower
•Spynie Palace
•St Andrews Castle
•St Andrews Cathedral
•St Vigeans
•Stanley Mills
•Stirling Castle
•Sweetheart Abbey
•Tantallon Castle
•Tolquhon Castle
•Trinity House
•Urquhart Castle

Opening times for Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle are from 9.30am to 5pm. For all other properties listed above, opening times are from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Marketing our Self Catering Holiday Cottages in Loch Lomond and Trossachs

Trying to find the best way of promoting our self catering holiday cottages is always an area of concern because although what you have in place may be effective now, there is no guarantee this will still work in the future. The methods of business promotion are constantly changing, for example when we first started the internet was almost non existant as a means of advertising our lochside holiday cottages, we had to advertise in the brochure of the holiday cottage agencies.

Now we have our own websites with online bookings etc http://www.lomondandtrossachs.com/ that work very effectively along side the agencies and their websites and brochures. We are now slowly entering the new era of using Flicker, Twitter, Facebook.

The problem is now deciding if we should continue to stay with the agencies and pay their high commission fees or risk using only our own sites. The benefits are we would save about £10000 some of which could be used to fund our own marketing initiatives. We also already have one cottage Waterside Cottage which is independant from the agencies and is generally fully booked each year. The anxiety is that the level of booking would drop and and cost more than the commission.

Oh the joys of business planning.

Stirling Castle, Loch lomond and trossachs Cottages at Loch Katrine

PRESS RELEASE
DATE: 05/10/10

STEP BACK IN TIME TO THE 17TH CENTURY - AND THE SIEGE OF STIRLING CASTLE

Stirling Castle on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th October

The year is 1651 and Stirling Castle is under siege. Scotland has been defeated by the Auld Enemy at the Battle of Dunbar, the English army has invaded the south of the country and is desperate to lay claim to the majestic stronghold of Stirling which guards the route north.

Come along to Stirling Castle on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th October and step back in time to the days of the Covenanters and this crucial period in the history of both the castle and Scotland.

The two-day Holding Scotland For The King 1651 family event revisits this important siege -which heralded the rapid collapse of Scottish control in the face of the English invasion – and brings to life the characters and weapons of both the Scots and English troops of the period.

A large cast of historical interpreters and costumed performers will be staging a spectacular series of colourful parades, with artillery and firepower displays, musketry exchanges and pike drill, and static tableaux providing an insight into battle camp and garrison life.

Events Manager Nick Finnigan says: “The 1651 siege of Stirling Castle, although brief, was incredibly important and marked a turning point in the history of our country. Our costumed performers will be highlighting the background – why Scotland was at war with England and the eventual outcome - illustrating what military life would have been like for the troops involved, and demonstrating a variety of interesting aspects such as the weaponry and costume of the period.”

The programme for both days is as follows:

 12:00 Opening parade into the castle from the Esplanade and welcome in the Inner Close.
 12:30 Story of the siege in the Great Hall
 13:00 The Siege begins - musket skirmish from the walls
 13:30 The clothes of the mid-17th century – Great
 14:00 Artillery display
 14:30 Pike drill
 15:00 Parade of musketeers and display of
 15:30 The soldiers of the 17th century
 16:00 Display of firepower featuring cannons and muskets and culminating in the closing parade of the army out of the castle

Holding Scotland For The King 1651 is on from 12.00 noon to 4pm on both days, with all the entertainment and activities included in Stirling Castle’s normal admission price: adults, £9.00, concessions £7.20, children £5.40, and free for Historic Scotland Members.

 Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s grandest castles due to its imposing position and impressive architecture. From the castle’s ramparts, visitors can take in views over two of Scotland’s most important battle sites – Stirling Bridge (1297) and Bannockburn (1314). The castle is at the head of Stirling’s historic old town, off M9 junction 9 or 10. Tel: 01786 450000. For details of opening times and further information on the castle, visit www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk.
 Major conservation work has been carried out at Stirling Castle over many years to preserve the attraction as a major national and international monument. An ambitious £12 million scheme, the Stirling Castle Palace Project, is currently underway (due for completion in Spring 2011) to restore and refurbish the Royal Palace at Stirling and present the Royal Lodgings as they might have appeared in the heyday of Scotland’s Stewart court in the mid 16th century. An interpretive display on the court of James V will be created in the palace vaults and a Renaissance Gallery on the upper floors of the palace will house the original Stirling Heads, a rare group of intricately carved oak ceiling medallions depicting kings,queens, courtiers and mythological creatures. Costumed interpreters will bring to life the history of the 16th century to enrich visitors’ enjoyment.

 Stirling Castle is one of the most popular of 345 outstanding heritage properties and sites in the care of Historic Scotland. Ranging from prehistoric dwellings to medieval castles, and from cathedrals to industrial buildings, these include some of the leading tourism attractions in the country.For further details of all of Historic Scotland’s sites visit: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/places

 Historic Scotland’s Mission is: to safeguard Scotland’s historic environment and to promote its understanding and enjoyment.