"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. 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 boot-camp on Monday and Friday mornings with an ex Marine. Kim is a member of the Federation of Small Businesses and The Association of Self Caterers Scotland as well as chairperson of The Loch Earn Tourism Information group (LETi) representing tourism businesses in the villages of Lochearnhead, St Fillans, Balquhidder and Strathyre.
Memberships and Quality Assurance
Kim is Chair of LETi, The Loch Earn Tourism Information group linking Lochearnhead with Balquhidder, Strathyre and St Fillans villages. Fraser and Kim are both members of LETi.
Members of The Association of Self Caterers. ASSC quality assured cottages. 
Kim is a member of The Federation of Small Businesses Scotland 
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 20177 - TripAdvisor
Briar Cottages has earned a 2016 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor for service excellence with the maximum 5 out of 5 bubble rating 
Kim and Fraser are members of local tourism group LETi who 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
Certificate of Excellence 2015 and 2016
Briar Cottages in The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park of Scotland
|
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 Octavian 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 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 May '19 #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/
|
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. The cruiser was sold to build luxury cottage Briar Steading in 2010 though they kept the tender which they launch now and then from their slipway to Loch Earn.
"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/
Fraser and Kim enjoying the annual Burns In The Barn Supper
Lovely video of the 2016 Monachyle Mhor Burns Supper in Balquhidder. See if you can spot Fraser downing a whisky and Kim performing toast to the laddies.
