"Whether you choose a holiday break in luxury Briar Steading or pet friendly Little Briar Cottage you are assured of a warm welcome from us"
Meet The Owners
Kim Proven Kim Proven
Kim was born in Falkirk in central Scotland (nee Donald) during the 1960's. Her childhood love of singing, art and athletics never left her. Kim is an ex Scottish and British Universities champion in Shot Putt and Discus. She studied Drawing & Painting at Edinburgh College of Art Graduating with BA(Hons) via Heriot Watt university during the 1980's. (other artists in the Donald / Edwards family) She sang with jazz band Diminished Fifth for many years, performing in various Scottish Jazz festivals and recorded CD "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone" at Tpot studios, Path Of Condie in 2000. Kim enjoyed a business and marketing career in the waterproof fabrics and latterly dental products industries before moving to Lochearnhead from Edinburgh. Today she pinches herself waking up to fantastic scenery, a loch in the front garden, the warmth and creativity of villagers in local communities, global tales from guests and local excercise classes. Kim is a member of the Federation of Small Businesses and The Association of Self Caterers Scotland and was chair of The Loch Earn Tourism Information group (LETi) representing tourism businesses in the villages of Lochearnhead, St Fillans, Balquhidder and Strathyre from 2014-2023. Memberships and Quality Assurance
Kim was Chair of LETi (2014 - 2023) The Loch Earn Tourism Information group linked businesses in Lochearnhead with Balquhidder, Strathyre and St Fillans villages until it disbanded in 2023 having achieved its goals. The group was proud to win two regional and one Scottish Thistle Award for creating a permanent art installation trail known as The BLiSS trail. Download the audio trail map from www.geotourist.com/tours/2040. Two of this installations light up at night in Briar Cottages garden on Loch Earn
Members of
The Association of Self Caterers. ASSC quality assured cottages.
Visit Embrace Scotland to discover other members of the Association of Self Catering and what they have to offer.
Kim has been a member of The Federation of Small Businesses Scotland since 2008 Briar Cottages was awarded two short term let licenses in 2023 from Stirling Council. Briar Steading ST00072F and Little Briar ST00073F
Certificate of Holiday Cottage Cleaning Competence. - Safeguarding customers during the Covid 19 pandemic
Reviews and Awards
10 OUT OF 10 recognition of excellence 2020
Winner 2019
Certificate of excellence 2019 announced October 2019
10 out of 10 award for customer service from Hotels Combined 2018
TripAdvisor 2018
5 out of 5 certificate of Excellence 2016, 2017 - TripAdvisor
Kim and Fraser were active members of local tourism group LETi when they won the Regional Scottish Thistle Award for Innovation In Tourism - BLiSS trail 2017
Kim and Fraser celebrate the team LETi trophy for tourism at Prestonfield House Hotel Edinburgh
Briar Cottages in The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park of Scotland
Certificate of Excellence 2015
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W. Fraser Proven
Fraser ready for Burns Night!
Fraser was born in Edinburgh in the 1940's and schooled at Daniel Stewarts College, though his parents moved back to Kirkliston in West Lothian to the family business - The Newliston Arms Hotel.
An ex Scottish Champion hurdler and founder member of The Octavians Athletic Club, Fraser still takes an active interest in many sports including athletics and rugby. His career began in the print industry at Waddies of Edinburgh. He moved on to work with Rank Xerox in the word processing division winning many overseas trips as a reward for sales achievements. He returned to Waddies in the 1990's, this time to manage a UK sales team for the web printing division. In 1998 Fraser joined David Alexander (D.J.Alexander) and thoroughly enjoyed his years in property management around Edinburgh prior to retiring in 2007. Known for his fun sense of humour and larger than life personality, he loves to engage with guests, the local community and passers by. He spends many hours keeping the three acre grounds in shape all year round. Guests often marvel at his lawn mower skills on the sloping paddock behind the cottages. Returning guests are always keen to find out what his latest project is! 
Cutting the front putting lawn
Mowing the rear paddock
Fraser dressed for the Highland Games in Lochearnhead
Fraser feeding Robbie The Robin
Best Pet Friendly Holiday Homes Europe 2019, Top 8 Finalist:2018 and 2017- Little Briar Cottage
Kim + LETi nominated for Tourism Ambassador and Innovation in Tourism
Kim and Fraser pick up the award winning trophy on behalf of Loch Earn Tourism Information -for "Innovation In Tourism" at the Scottish Thistle Awards national finals.
Chair of LETi Kim Proven accepts the tourism groups Regional Thistle Award for "Working Together For Tourism" 2016
Kim with Alison Inglis from https://www.indianchampiscotland.com/ at a "Roaring 20's" ladies charity lunch, Strathyre #community
Fraser Proven at the petanque piste. Slainte!
Kim Proven with blacksmith sculptor Kev Paxton adding the Weige Weeds sculpture on the A84 BLiSS trail
Kim being interviewed by Colin Calder (Captain of a tandem called Matilda) about the Scottish Thistle Award winning BLiSS trail of art installations. Read the story on Matilda's Musings sharing her day out on the Balquhidder leg of the #BLiSStrail inclusing Sustrans Cycle Route 7 matildasmusingsdotcom.wordpress.com/2016/12/11/blissful-balquhidders-brilliant-bravura/
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Fraser and Kim Proven. Giant Thistle in the loch garden at Briar Cottages
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Kim and Fraser at the fish pond, Briar Cottages
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Fairline 43AC Largs Marina
Fraser and Kim were married in 1991. They spent 20 years enjoying weekend breaks and holidays on board "Knot Proven" their Fairline motor cruiser that was berthed on the west coast of Scotland - as well as many international holiday adventures. They purchased Briar Cottages including Little Briar in 2008 then sold the cruiser to build luxury cottage Briar Steading in 2010.
"We aim to ensure guests of an enjoyable, comfortable and memorable experience at Briar Cottages and are always on hand or at the end of a telephone to respond to any queries. We encourage guests to ask questions, provide feedback and to inform us of anything that needs upgrading. " Kim and Fraser
Kim being interviewed by Colin Calder (Captain of a tandem called Matilda) about the Scottish Thistle Award winning BLiSS trail of art installations. Read the story on Matilda's Musings sharing her day out on the Balquhidder leg of the #BLiSStrail inclusing Sustrans Cycle Route 7 matildasmusingsdotcom.wordpress.com/2016/12/11/blissful-balquhidders-brilliant-bravura/
