​We are both keeping well and hope that you are too. No-one saw this virus coming in spite of claims that it was inevitable!

Amidst all of the pain and suffering there has to be hope. For some of us - not in the front line - our contribution has been to stay at home, out of harms way and to carry on with some kind of routine,  preparing for the future, as best we can. 

​We look out for each other as neighbours in a great community here in Lochearnhead and the surrounding villages. Our community newspaper The Villagers has even adapted to an on-line version to keep us all in touch. We have been maintaining and improving the grounds and cottages and I have been updating our local tourism group LETi,  on national tourism information as it unfolds. So, it's a busman's holiday for us this year, with no complaints.  

Loch Earn's Achray House Hotel, has been offering a free and subsidised delivery service of hot meals for vulnerable locals with regular takeaway menus for others within a radius of about 6 local villages.  The takeaway and delivery service will be offered to local self catering guests after lockdown and before hotel restaurants are fully open again. 

We are appreciative of tourism associations like Visit Scotland, The Association of Self Catering Scotland, the Scottish Tourism Alliance and others like the Federation of Small Businesses, who have been working non stop to support our industry on employment and financial assistance guidelines. They are constantly in touch with the Scottish government, lobbying and sharing, ensuring that there will be a national approach to recovery, with cleaning protocols and other guidance.  Visit Scotland has helped by promoting and encouraging image sharing on social media and by informing the world about Scotland's rich experiences. Holidays to consider in safer times. For example, look at this YouTube video  Absence makes the heart grow fonder..
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​We are missing guest stories, personalities and pets as each garden  plant has bloomed and faded over the last 10 weeks. While we are delighted that the weather has enabled so much time out of doors, we are sorry that guests have missed out on one of the most consistent periods of weather in Lochearnhead for decades.    At least everyone has had good weather in the UK

We know that we are fortunate to live in a naturally beautiful landscape. This is the first time since opening in 2008 that we have taken the time to enjoy our grounds together for weeks on end.  I feel as though a pause button has been pushed on life.  A good time to rest, reflect and reset.  

There have been some novelty moments for me like scone and banana bread baking plus his and hers hair cut creations. 

I enjoyed my birthday in May in spite of not seeing family and friends. I made my own coffee and walnut cake (good effort but not a patch on my mum's).  Fraser had us putting on the lawn ( he beat me with 2 holes in one, though revenge has been taken recently)  We popped fizz up at our recently landscaped Norman's View by the stream and ordered a takeaway 3 course dinner from the Achray House Hotel in St Fillans.  Fraser set the table up outside Briar Steading to ensure a great view over Loch Earn to the hills. He placed garden cut flowers on the table and played Ella Fitzgerald ballads on YouTube, courtesy of his mobile phone and the cottage WiFi.  Family presents arrived in the post including a decadent double layer Signature Collection of  Cocoa Mountain  chocolates that are made in Scotland.  What a treat. Glad there were 2 tiers. One each! I also received a delicious selection of Arran Cheeses,  Perthshire oatcakes and Scottish chutneys amongst other gifts.   A memorable foodie birthday and a party for 2.
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Self catering should be one of the safer options for holiday accommodation after lockdown if we are vigilant and guests are careful.  Lochearnhead and local villagers have remained locked own and trouble free from the beginning, so we can understand why they want the area to remain safe.  We don't know what the protocols will be.  Maybe use of masks in shops will be prudent to make locals and guests feel safer when outside of Briar Cottages three acre gardens. 

Regular guests know how clean our cottages are.  Liquid hand and washing soaps have always been included at Briar Cottages along with a range of cleaning materials to assist.  Countless articles explain why soap is best for Covid 19.  Nevertheless, we will check everything against the national cleaning protocols once they are approved by the Scottish government and shared to enable consistent national health and  safety standards.   

We have accepted people hopping over our garden fence to photograph Stan the Stag and our BLiSS trail thistle sculptures even though they are visible from the roadside. This will have to change now. The time has come to put up "Guest Only" signs so that the loch garden space remains exclusive to cottage guests, our  family and friends. Some minor changes like this will be sensible and necessary.  

We don't know when we will be open again, however we will follow guidelines and think everything through.  We are honouring all guest holidays that were booked direct with us and that were cancelled by the government from 23rd March,  whether this year or next year. No one is at fault. We did not cancel guests and they did not cancel their holidays.

I am disappointed to hear so many tales of insurance companies that have not helped guests or businesses though. I would still encourage people to take out insurance for any travel ( even home travel) though wonder if they will still choose to make Covid  19 and any new unknown epidemics exempt in future.  A regular guest made a claim to recover loss of their holiday around Easter. It took weeks for them to get a response. It was like jumping through ridiculous hoops. They were rejected but asked to produce even more information if they persisted, with no guarantee of any assistance. How unhelpful. I suggested to the guest that they should not waste further precious time. We immediately guaranteed to re-book their holiday for the same time next year and are flexible if they want to change the date once we know that we can start up again.  And there will be no price increase if it turns out to be next year.  So,  we lose half the value of the booking while still paying to maintain the cottage.  That is so much better than losing valued guests and does not begin to compare with what many people have lost during this epidemic.  

​We look forward to welcoming many guests back and meeting new people in the future. We just don't know when...yet. Phase 3...ish. Whatever that actually means.  So, in the mean time we will continue to make the most of our time together on this safe busman's holiday, while our hearts go out to key workers and those that have suffered pain and loss and our very best wishes go to guests past and future.  ​

Fraser and I (Kim) are celebrating "Year of Coasts and Waters 2020" along with the rest of Scotland's tourism businesses and Visit Scotland.

​The topic points the way to Scottish water themed events, music, accommodation, art, attractions, theatre, drinks and so much  more. ​ Wonderful coastal areas of Scotland will be highlighted in the media along with rivers, waterfalls, whisky, gin and beer. In fact, anything to do with Scottish water including over 37 000 lochs and lochans.

Naturally we are flying a flag for Loch Earn.  Briar Cottages already offers lochside accommodation with a slipway and jetty for fishing, open water guest and pet swimming and for launching small boats, paddle boards and inflatables. We even have lochside sculptures in the garden that are part of the award winning BLiSS trail of art installations. 

In addition, we have joined forces with a local ecologist and ornithologist from Aquila Ecology based in St Fillans village on Loch Earn. Aquila Ecology expertise includes bird-craft and wildlife tours,  bat conservation, breeding raptor monitoring, international bird migration camps and moorland management.   

Together we will host "Loch Earn Wildlife Watch" events.  Three two hour, adult only, nature watch events will take place in Briar Cottages loch garden on 17th March, 12th July and 13th September 2020 starting at 10.30am. 

Ecologist Andrea Hudspeth and Ornithologist Terry Williams will lead the wildlife watch sessions. Binoculars and telescopes will be supplied.  Andrea hopes that guests will spot ospreys and eagles in addition to garden birds. 

Andrea told us, “I love what I do whether it's consultancy, surveys, training or leading local bird-craft walks and nature tours at home or further afield. We expect to see a variety of garden birds, bees and butterflies from the comfort of Briar Cottage’s lochside garden and summerhouse, though the icing on the cake will be spotting the Ospreys that glide over the loch hunting for fish from spring to September and Golden Eagles that soar over the mountains on both sides of  Loch Earn.”  

Ornithologist Terry Williams said  “May is an excellent time for this event as Spring marks the return of many migrant birds that breed over the summer months - some returning to the same nest every year. Aquila Ecology’s base is in St Fillans on Loch Earn where we organise nature watching excursions all year round. We are also delighted to work with individuals and groups on bespoke nature tours and sessions.”     ​

Fraser and I will set up hot drinks and biscuits inside our thatched cottage on the grounds. During the beverage break we will invite guest nature watchers to see the original cruck framed Scots Pine timber ceiling in our lounge. Anyone will be welcome to take a photograph as this ancient remnant of Scottish architecture is rarely seen other than by Briar Steading and Little Briar Cottage self catering guests.  

Any Briar Cottages holiday guests who book 3 to 7 nights around and including the Loch Earn Nature Watch dates,  will be invited to join in free of charge.  Anyone else can purchase a ticket from Andrea Hudspeth. Email Andrea at andrea@aquilaecologyscotland.co.uk to request ticketing information. Tickets are £6 and spaces are limited, so if you are interested, book now and secure any of the dates in your diary.

To book luxury Briar Steading or Little Briar pet friendly cottage including the wildlife watch event dates, contact me Tel: 07917 416 497 or email briarinfo@btinternet.com 

During Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 we can also share information on local lochside eating and drinking venues including in Lochearnhead, The Clachan Cottage Hotel and The Lochearnhead Hotel and in St Fillans,  The Four Seasons Hotel and The Achray House Hotell.  Do not hesitate to ask us about any other local activities, venues and events e.g. Loch Earn fishing boat hire and watersports activities.

So what can you look forward to in the Lochearnhead and surrounding area for 2019?  Consider annual events like the Lochearn Shears Sheep Sheering,  The Great Loch Earn boat race, The BLS Highland Games in Lochearnhead July 20 2019,  The Vigour Events Loch Earn Swim in September 2019.  There is also the great MHOR festival in May and running events by runMHOR. 

Strathyre Music Festival is taking a break this year though band Balvaig plays on the first Sunday of every month at the White Stag Inn Strathyre.  MHOR84 also has a regular slot for folk musicians at MHOR84 on Thursday nights from 7pm in winter and 9pm in summer. 

Throughout the year our villages organise charity fun nights and the annual horticultural show. Look out for keep fit classes too.  Guests are welcome to join in. Its a great way to meet the villagers and "tap" them for information. Try Keep Fit or Yoga. Our village shops in Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St Fillans are also a good spot for a chin wag and a take away coffee.  Ask questions there or buy the Villagers Newspaper to find out what's on and where. 

Two major events in Strathearn and Perthshire this year are the Scottish 6 Day Orienteering Event 28th July to 3rd August and The Solheim Cup at Gleneagles 9-15th September.  These events will attract thousands of visitors and participants so consider Briar Cottages and this area if we can help with accommodation.  We can also suggest alternative accommodation in Lochearnhead and neighbouring villages 


Anyone who loves walking and mountain climbing will adore the fact that we are so close to Ben Vorlich and Stuc A Chroin as well as other hills and mountains.  Ben Shean, Ben Ledi, Ben Lawers.  Sustrans Cycle Route 7 is a great place to walk, cycle or stroll.  Dog owners love it because it is off road. The section from Lochearnhead is also part of the Rob Roy Way.

The start point from  Lochearnhead Village is marked by the sculpture of a West Highland Terrier by Kev Paxton.  Our tourism group commissioned the sculpture using an ArtRoots grant awarded by Sustrans Scotland.  The dog tag says Ewen.  The sculpture was named after a local tourism hero. You can hear Ewen's son Angus Cameron telling the full story on the audio tour. If you download the BLiSS trail Geotourist App to a smartphone, you can hear stories about all 25 installations on the Scottish Thistle Award winning  trail.

The trail makes use of main roads A84 and A85 for car touring and National Cycle Route 7,  for cyclists and walkers of all ages.  Recent guests at Little Briar Cottage loved walking between Lochearnhead and Balquhidder and described the experience as "like walking through Narnia" That is because they followed the idyllic path with their dogs to witness brooks and bridges, wild flowers, lichen, needle carpet forests, birds, art installations, deer and stags, designer mile markers and more. 

Walk from Lochearnhead on NCR7 turning left to The Golden Larches in about 2 mikes or follow the path right and walk on to MHOR84 in 3 miles.  You can also keep going on the path to Strathyre or Callander 

If you turn right on the path from Lochearnhead you will go up a short steep incline until you are level with the path across the Glenogle Viaduct.  The path joins the A85 where you can cross over and continue the 4.5 miles to Killin and The Falls of Dochart.  ​

​You  would think that representing your local tourism group - Loch Earn Tourism Information (LETi) - to pick up the groups Scottish Thistle Award for BLiSS trail "Innovation in Tourism"  would be honour enough!  It absolutely feels like the ultimate reward in the tourism industry.  Nevertheless, the rewards just kept coming in.  
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Fringe Benefit 2:  Fishers Laundry group encouraged us to take selfies with Thistle,  to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Thistle Awards this year #thistles25.

We were asked to post them on social media during a four week period,  after the awards event. The winning photo on Twitter, chosen in April, was by Rona Burstow. Rona tweeted a lovely selfie with Thistle at Eileen Donan Castle.  A worthy winner, Rona won a £300 voucher for the Principle Hotel in Edinburgh. 

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Imagine my surprise then, when two enormous parcels landed on my doorstep with a message from Fishers Laundry saying that they were impressed with the creativity of my photo entry.  My runner up prize was  two of the biggest,  heaviest, whitest, quality, fluffy dressing gowns I have ever seen.  

In my photo you see A.Thistle Dog,    B. The two headed thistle of BLiSS trail sculpture "Blawn Wi The Wind" by Kev Paxton, which stands proudly in Briar Cottages garden ( we bought it for our 25th wedding anniversary celebration)  C.The Thistle Award trophy.  D. My hair! ...lets face it,  my hair looked like a thistle top that day with a filtered purple tinge completing the look. 

My question on Twitter was "How many Thistle's can you see?  The answer should really have been "one" as the dog's name is spelled with a capital T.  A huge thanks to Fishers Laundry for going one step further in the fun that they invest at the Scottish Thistle Awards. Very much appreciated.

Is that the Fringe Benefit story over?? No! 

International Fringe Benefit 3.  Fraser and I decided to take a break and visit friends in Valencia in May, following the tragic, shocking and untimely death of Fraser's 48 year old son Andy, who we miss every day. 

​We booked into the Ayre Hotel Astoria Palace in Valencia which turned out to be in a perfect, central location, near the incredible food market and old town. We gave our business card to the receptionist to save reading out our contact details.  We then checked in before going out to explore. Can you imagine our surprise when we opened the bedroom door on return to find a dish of sugar banana jelly sweeties and the following message from the hotel reception team with a beautiful photo.

​ "Dear Kim and Fraser,  its a huge honour to accommodate the winners of... 
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​A lovely touch and example of "above and beyond" service where the reception team recognised and applauded the significance of our team Scottish Thistle Award,  thinking on their feet to provide a unique welcome.   
  
Fringe Benefit 4 I also received many letters on behalf of LETi from tourism partners and politicians as reported in my last blog. 

Then LETI was awarded Fringe Benefit 5. The opportunity to work with Geotourist in collaboration with VisitScotland.

Geotourist were the sponsors of the "Innovation in Tourism" category at the Thistle Award regional and national finals. They are world audio tour enablers via Smartphone technology.  How perfect for BLiSS trail! You can now follow a map and listen to fab stories about the artworks on your apple or android phone as you tour. 

It has been a great pleasure to work with Lindsey Wilson from Geotourist over the last few months. My task was writing a script outline for each installation, recruiting and working with the storytellers and getting 23 recordings over to Lindsey along with photographs and their GPS locations. Lindsey used the information to set up the Geotourist website page for BLiSS trail, ensuring that the recordings would be audible at each location with a smartphone. Lindsey is one of the most positive people I have ever worked with.

Then we both worked with Visit Scotland on the official news story.

Artists, locals, school and university students, Sustrans Scotland and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park all collaborated on reading various stories and facts to complement the installations on the trail along with yours truly. I represent Stan The Stag at Briar Cottage and Drover's Bho in Strathyre and... shhh top secret...  I am the voice of the MHOR coo. A fun coo! A pun coo! You have been warned, listen! https://geotourist.com/tours/2040/points/7058

​The audio tour was launched last week and has already attracted 880 visitors to date, with around 100 new people discovering it daily. Have you looked and listened to it yet? Check out the website here https://geotourist.com/tours/2040 

​VisitScotland went on to release the news story from their media centre on July 14th  NB: Full story here A Touch Of BLiSS  

So, I would encourage others to take part in the Scottish Thistle Awards. The discipline of reviewing your goals and achievements is rewarding enough. A trophy at this event nicknamed "The tourism Oscars" is definitely worth trying for,  though the fringe benefits of recognition, gifts and a bonus business opportunity can make you and your team feel like Hollywood Stars.  

None of it has gone to our heads though. Its Briar Cottage and LETi business as usual for me,  with extra adrenaline oomph from the feel good factor of the Scottish Thistle Awards win to spur me on. 

We are in the midst of launching the new Geotourist BliSS trail audio tour and will be announcing our first international artist on the BLiSS trail in conjunction with a new partner soon. 

That should give us enough material to enter the 2019 Thistle Awards when they open next June.  Best of luck to everyone who has entered this year though....missing it already.

This weekend is the Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and Strathyre Highland Games in the Games Field opposite the Lochearnhead Village Hall - 21st July 12.30. 

​McLarens,  MacGregors and other local clans will gather for what is one of the best wee Highland Games in Scotland.  Guests from both of our cottages will be there as will Fraser and I.  Hope to see some of you too.

Let the BLS Highland Games begin where the Scottish Thistle Award fringe benefits end...for now!  Slàinte mhath! #ScotlandIsNow

If you think we were excited picking up the regional Scottish Thistle Award trophy for BLiSS trail in 2017, imagine our shock and delight when Visit Scotland announced our local tourism group as the Scottish national winner in March 2018 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre!

LETi (Loch Earn Tourism Information representing Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St Fillans tourism businesses) was crowned winner of the "Innovation In Tourism" category in the National grand final of the Visit Scotland, Scottish Thistle Awards.  The trophy was presented by the couple in the photo above, representing sponsors Geotourist.

The Scottish Thistle Award finals are referred to in the industry as the "Tourism Oscars".  I am delighted that our four village tourism business group was able to compete on the big stage with larger companies and organisations who have healthy marketing budgets and dedicated experts working full time. We represented Central (and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park) and emerged as winners amongst entrants from Fife, Tayside. Lothians, Borders, West, Highlands and Islands, Aberdeen City,  and Aberdeenshire. 

The LETi group delivered three new sculptures to the Scottish regional and now, national award winning BLiSS trail during 2017 Year of History Heritage and Archaeology ( #HHA2017 ) - while securing the fun roadside art and architectural trail as a permanent attraction all year round. 

​Two of the sculptures Drover's Bho and Ewen Westies of Craggan were made by TV personality artist blacksmith Kev Paxton paid for with a Sustrans Scotland ArtRoots grant.

The sculptures mark the entrance to National Cycle Route 7 in Strathyre and Lochearnhead and it is possible to cycle from one to the other passing the BLiSS trail "Cockerel" Mile Marker by Iain McColl, on route. 

​Drover's Bho is a steel cow sculpture acknowledging the hard working drovers who gathered in Strathyre on their way to the Falkirk Tryst.

"Ewen Westies of Craggan" is named after a local tourism hero - Ewen Cameron OBE - who kick started water sports on Loch Earn in 1955, revived the BLS Highland games in Lochearnhead and so much more. The west highland terrier dog sculpture also marks Sustrans Cycle Route 7 from the grounds of St Angus Church in the Craggan Road where they were once bred by the honorable Torfreda Rollo (sister of Lady MacGregor of MacGregor) in Lochearnhead.

This year marked 25 years of the Scottish Thistle Awards for Tourism achievements #Thistles25. The evening was fantastic.  Expertly hosted by ex Miss Scotland and STV host Jennifer Reoch alongside Still Game and River City star and funny man Sanjeev Singh Kohli.  

Lovely singer and BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2018 Hannah Rarity kick started the entertainment. Ventriloquist and comedian Paul Zerdin, winner of America’s Got Talent 2015 was brilliant with his suitably cheeky co-star puppet pal. 

The Scottish Thistle Awards main sponsor was full of fun. We had photos taken in the Fishers Laundry Truck photo booth. The laundry company also gifted all tables with "Thistle" a green dog with ears, sunglasses and a purple tartan bow. (Don't tell Thistle he's really a facecloth!)  They challenged us with a Twitter competition to take a selfie with Thistle.  Fraser and I have put in the following entries if you want to RT @Briarcottages ​

We could not have shared a flavour of the awards without the assistance of the official photographer Chris Watt  He quietly worked the room to record the event on behalf of Visit Scotland. Have a look at Chris Watt Photography, his commissions, portfolio, awards, accolades and achievements. Simply Amaaaazing and he is charming too.

Have a read at this lovely letter from Malcolm Roughead OBE, Chief Executive of Visit Scotland.  

...and another letter of congratulations from Fiona Hyslop MSP -Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs

Another lovely letter, this time from Roseanna Cunningham MSP

Finally, have a look at this delightful drawing of me and the Scottish Thistle Award Trophy by "JoSunshineArt". Jo is a visually impaired artist who records moments in history as they happen in Scotland and sometimes further afield. She is constantly drawing people, animals, nature buildings and events from every day life around her in Glasgow and in the the news. Jo draws in bright colours on a large A1 scale. She always manages to create lovely compositions with warmth, playful characters and plenty of #ScotSpirit humour.  Jo can not actually see! All she sees is a misty blur in one eye. Find out more about Jo on Twitter @JoSunshineArt or read this about the wonderful Jo Adamson.

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​LETi is now working on Year of Young People 2018 promotions

​Long time no blog!  I know.

Being Chair of the Loch  Earn Tourism Information group for Lochearnhead, St Fillans, Balquhidder and Strathyre villages means that I am doing PR and social media work on www.robroycountry.com and Twitter for @robroycountry as well as planning strategies. And that's just for fun. My day job is running Briar Cottages business including all cleaning services and check-ins while Fraser tackles the three acre gardens. 

​It's all a labour of love and we never take the exceptional views that we wake up to for granted. We are proud to share Briar Cottages and gardens with visiting guests.

I am also passionate about sharing; whats on, things to do, where to eat and drink and more. It means that I need to keep up to date on everything that is going on like,  winter events , Hogmanay parties, Christmas markets plus the opening of a new local shop MHOR in Store,  coming to Kingshouse near Mhor84 on 9th December 2017. Fraser loves to chat to passers by who take an interest in the gardens and BLiSS trail sculptures on display. 

In addition to our "Blawn Wi The Wind" thistles and  Stan The Stag (whose photo was on The One Show this month) there is a Pop up art installation by Kev Paxton called Brunas.  Brunas is a CrazyColor pink coo.  Let me explain.  Renato Brunas invented Crazy Color hair dye. It is described as "hair colour for the fearless".  Bold pinks, purples,  and rainbow colours.  Renato Brunas had a hairdressing shop in Mayfair, London called "Brunas".  He sadly passed away in 2014, so when the Renfrew Scotland based Crazy Color team were planning a hair show in London, they recruited Kev Paxton to style one of his metal cows with a pink and purple Crazy Color ombre hairstyle. Brunas is currently taking the air in our garden after his recent modelling event. He is on holiday on The regional Thistle Award  winning BLiSS trail, for the winter.  Come and see him!

Please enjoy the picture blog of our wonderful celebrations of LETi's award for Innovation In Tourism - #BLiSStrail 2017.

The Visit Scotland regional awards event for Central, Tayside and Fife, was held in the incredible stables building at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh. The food was exquisite. How they produce such quality for hundreds of diners, I will never know. The service team were charming too.  A special thanks to Amitt who served table 23 for the LETi support team. 

Finally,  I was very honoured to be nominated by Gordon Watson of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park in the Regional Tourism Ambassador category for services to tourism over and above my day job.  I made it to the top three and was delighted to receive this finalist certificate as joint runner up.

I have collaborated with some gifted, creative, fun loving people thanks to social media and am amazed at the links amongst the following people and a tandem bike!​​

I discovered metal artist talent Kev Paxton of ArtFe Blacksmiths, on Facebook.

I was researching outdoor installation artists for The Loch Earn Tourism Information group (LETi) and recognised one of his sculptures "Bill The Bull" from an article that I had read in the Scottish Field Magazine.

 I contacted Kev for advice initially, however, our mutual enthusiasm for "art that makes you smile" resulted in Kev becoming a key exhibitor in the BLiSS trail - a roadside art trail that links the villages of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead Strathyre and St Fillans via Sustrans Cycle Route 7 and the A84 and A85.

Kev and I were both interviewed for STV news at six at the launch of #BLiSStrail.
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The art and architectural installation trail earned our tourism group a Visit Scotland regional Scottish Thistle Award for "Working Together for Tourism".  I was extremely proud to pick up the trophy as Chair of LETi and delighted that Fraser and representatives of the BLS Highland Games were by my side to enjoy the moment.

​Bill The Bull enjoyed a scenic position outside The Lochearnhead Hotel during 2016 #BLiSStrail,  as per the photo below by ​Dave Murray 

Then, Kev  introduced me to Lynne McNicoll OBE @ItsGood2Give.

Kev and ArtFe partner Cat, are ambassadors for the "Its Good 2 Give" charity that Lynne founded.

Kev had organised for his sculpture Bill The Bull to be painted in bright colours by children in return for donations that he forwarded to Lynne's charity and her ambitious Ripple Retreat building project.

The building is now complete and you can read this exceptional story of fundraising, collaboration, generosity, hard work and belief in the news.

​I think Lynne has surpassed her vision of a tranquil building offering space where young cancer patients can enjoy exclusive time with their families. The 3 bedroom retreat offers beautiful things to see, hear, read, play and do. It boasts a great line of Patrons now including Lorraine Kelly who opened the retreat.

Our local community helped to raise funds for the retreat through marathon sponsorship, tin collections and the Lochearnhead Married V Singles annual charity football game held the day after the Highland Games in Lochearnhead.

That's me on the left next to Cat (Catherine Stops) who is accepting our community cheque for Its Good 2 Give.

Artist Kev Paxton is in the middle. Lochearnhead local Martin Sanders,  who co-ordinated the football event and raffle, is handing over the cheque to Cat and married ladies football captain Ollie Cameron of Lochside Cottages Lochearnhead, is on the right.

​The photograph was taken in front of Kev's sculpture Blawn Wi The Wind that stands proudly in Briar Cottages garden on Loch Earn.  Dave Murray took the photograph..

Kev also designed and made the steel gates at the Ripple Retreat.

Even with partial sight,  Jo does not miss a trick and her version appeared on Twitter.

I am delighted to read that Jo is having an exhibition of work this summer at Cass Art,  63 - 67 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3EN, between 24th June and 9th July. Guaranteed to be bright and full of Jo's style and humour.

​Jo sells her pictures on Etsy and via The Jo Sunshine Art Facebook page. Enjoy!

Last but not least, I met the wonderful Matilda and her crew on Twitter.

This is my first experience with  a blogging tandem bike.

She is a vintage gal but don't underestimate her fitness on the road.

I noticed that Matilda had blogged about the Lochearnhead Loop of the BLiSS trail on Twitter and Facebook. Matilda carries Stoker Diane and  Captain Colin (spotted above kissing Bill The Bull) on all of her adventures.  I  invited Matilda to return and do the Strathyre and Balquhidder sections of the Bliss art trail.

Matilda picked up the challenge and the team are now regular favourite characters in the area. You can read all about Matilda's experiences - including visiting all of the BLiSS trail  installations, challenging me to be the stoker,  experiencing local music, food and culture festivals and more on her blog site called  Matildas Musings.

 I even sang the song A Bicycle Built For Two during her Strathyre adventures, which Matilda shared on her YouTube page.

Not only has Matilda been photographed with Kev Paxton sculptures like Bill The Bull and Blawn Wi The Wind, the tandem and crew have also been drawn by @JoSunshineArt.

​Matilda was so impressed that she bought Jo's drawing for Colin and Diane!  Jo even captured a drawing of the tandem team after they appeared on a recent episode of Landward near a BLiSS trail installation called The Look Out where Dougie Vipond was filming around Loch Voil.

So, Fraser Proven was left out of the last BLiSS trail art story.  To know him is to realise that he always gets in on the act! True to form the P-artist got a leading part. No not a human sculpture, though I can imagine that. Artist blacksmith Kev Paxton ended up naming an art installation after him. The structure is an incredibly detailed stag made of steel flowers, leaves and a thistle.  Over 500 hours went in to making it. Furthermore, if you peep inside its flowery body you will find treasure; a humming bird drinking from its heart, a butterfly and a cute-as-anything mouse with a block of cheese. 

Kev Paxton likes to name his work after characters.  Ask him about Bill the Bull and Angus or other coo’s,  sheep, peacocks and creatures named after personalities.
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My husband has boldly suggested to many a pregnant mother that Fraser is a good name for a child (regardless of gender). This appealed to Kev’s sense of humour and when he registered that Briar means a thorny bush,  “Fraser Briar” was born.

Last chance to see Fraser Briar at Briar Cottages as he is going on tour. The steel celeb. will be on display at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh, at Tatton Park and other venues over the next few months.  Kev is bringing a surprise installation to stand in its place in our garden on Loch Earn. All updates will appear on www.robroycountry.com/blisstrail map of art installations throughout Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St Fillans.
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BLiSS trail has captured the imagination of many visitors who have been stopping in their tracks. Many have arrived in response to #BLiSS trail publicity and STV news at 6 coverage. 

LETi the tourism group that I Chair, is lucky to have photographer Melanie Lewis as a member. Mel took some excellent "press quality" photographs of the trail installations. Mel runs a bed and breakfast in Lochearnhead called Wester Achraw Croft, where you can also book a photography lesson,  as our recent Canadian guest did. Briar Cottage used to be known as Easter Achraw and was once owned by the same landlords as Mel's cottage. In the 17th century, the Earl of Atholl and later the Earl of Breadalbane. Cottars houses were mapped here on Achraw farm land before Lochearnhead village existed.

The BLiSS trail has attracted some talented amateur photographers . My favourite to date is the work of school janitor Dave Murray.  He took the following photographs and you can see more beauties on his Twitter site @canniejannie

It has been a pleasure to work with artists on the BLiSS trail. Funny to think that I graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 1985 at the same time as Rob Mulholland. He went on to be a leading light in the world of art installations, creating impressive pieces like STILL that stands in Loch Earn in the garden of The Four Seasons hotel beside its jetty. Meanwhile, I have been painting windows, doors and walls to maintain properties! 

I only have a few pieces left from my art college days (nee Donald) like this drawing of a model, a painting of yours truly and a soap stone sculpture above.

Artistic gene’s come from both sides of the family. My uncle,  George M. Donald RSA RSW MEd (Edin.) ATC (Lond.) DA,  has had an impressive career in the world of painting and printmaking as per images on his website georgedonald.com and the wonderful Christmas cards and special birthday gifts received over years. 

​My great Aunt May was a talented artist painting still life’s and pieces of china from the 1920’s. Also, my mums brother Joe Edwards (deceased) left a legacy of paintings depicting the farm lands around Kingswells in Aberdeen. Many of the fields have since been built over with houses and roads. Here you can see uncle Joe's self portrait painted in the year that I was born collection/joe-edwards and I love this image of my mum as a young girl painted about 52 years ago! See more of his work including the Lord Provost of Aberdeen in 1985 Joseph Byres Edwards

​I am often asked why I don’t dabble in landscape painting with such stunning scenery out of every door and window here. Aside from working all hours on our cottages and local village tourism marketing, I was never into doing watercolour and landscape painting. I would rather admire the work of others. I much prefer the landscape of the human body and nude models are pretty scarce around here…well human ones at least.

Yes that is me being filmed for Scottish Television News at Six! What a whirlwind year so far. I've been busy setting up the BLiSS trail of art and architecture installations with LETi our local tourism group. This is our contribution to Scotland's national tourism theme "Year of Innovation Architecture and Design 2016". BLiSS stands for Balquhidder Lochearnhead Strathyre and St Fillans villages and the i represents Tourist Information as well as innovation. The official launch was 27th April at The Broch Cafe in Strathyre - with yummy home made shortbread and Lucaffe coffee provided by owners Bill and Lesley.

We had a lovely collaboration of delegates including; local village community representatives, councillors, Visit Scotland, Stirling Enterprise, community police, Sustrans Scotland, The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and many of the artists including Perth College UHI students.

We were delighted when STV accepted our invitation and sent reporter Lucy White and Camera man Danny Livingston.  I was filmed in front of "A Soaring Eagle" by Iain Chalmers in the Broch recreation area near Sutrans RT,  Strathyre and artist Kev Paxton was filmed beside Bill The Bull, explaining how he wants to make people smile through his artwork. The footage no longer exists however you can hear my voice over on STV's Facebook page. 

The trail is mapped at www.robroycountry.com/blisstrail. Look out for Bill, a big colourful metal bull that "grazes" in the Lochearnhead Hotel car park entertaining passers by.  He was designed and made by Blacksmith and metal artist Kev Paxton in his smiddy. Kev made the thistles at Edinburgh airport and is busy with other commissions like herds of cattle, rams, peacocks, haggis, garden furniture and garden gates. He is also very passionate about the Ripple Retreat that is being built on Loch Venachar as a holiday home for young cancer patients and their families.  He is making a bespoke piece for them to enjoy.  I call him the man that works in steel with a heart of gold.

Another piece that is causing intrigue is the Lookout by architects Daniel Tyler and Angus Ritchie. The mirrored box was designed for The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Scenic Routes project. I challenge you to find it!  Drive towards Monachyle Mhor,  Balquhidder then look left between Loch Voil and Doine. Walk to the middle of the field between the lochs and you will see it, reflecting you and the surroundings. We would love to see your photos @Briarcottages and @robroycountry #BLiSStrail.  ​Other pieces on the trail include:

See more of the 13 BLiSS Trail art installations and 10 BLiSS trail ornaments. 

Fraser fans will be wondering why I have not mentioned him?  Don't worry he got in the act big style. Blacksmith artist Kev Paxton named one of the art works on the trail after him! Find out about "Fraser Briar" in my next blog.  Enjoy the trail and please share your #BLiSStrail photo's on Twitter and Facebook. 

Frasers been up to his tricks again. He tried to build a stag installation from wood a few Christmas's ago. Anyone remember? I titled it "Oh Deer"  

He then worked hard to convince guests that one of the bushes near Little Briar cottage was a stag, created using his topiary "skills". No one knew which end was which. Nevertheless, our guests humoured him one by one, year after year.

Finally! He found a stag statue in an ornamental landscape yard that specialises in second hand outdoor classics. An amazing place! We can all enjoy and be proud of this one. We call him Stan after the majestic beast that roamed Lochearnhead village eating neighbours bedding-out plants. Who said that deer don't eat daffodils? They love ours.

Local 007's with license to - you know what? - had to "take care" of him in the end. Shortly after, we received an invitation from one of our comedian friends to "dine on an old friend!"  Moving on swiftly .....Fraser has delivered this time.  A recognisable stag - - well except that he is in fancy dress for Christmas playing Rudolph reindeer. He looks great and he is slowing the traffic on the A85.

Once again, photogenic "wee santa" gets in on the act. Christmas would not be the same without him. He has been in the Proven family for over 100 years.

Our luxury and pet friendly holiday cottages have been prepared for Christmas and New Year with decorated trees, cinnamon cones, Christmas crackers, festive scented candles, shortbread and prosecco. 

Lochearnhead village hosts a Hogmanay dance in the hall with a live band,  raffle, licensed bar and stovies. A great night for £10 per ticket. Some guests come along and others love to immerse themselves in the peaceful surroundings of Briar Cottages on the bonny banks of Loch Earn.  

Next month will be a busy month for me including local PR for #IAD2016, Scotland's Year of Architecture Innovation and Design 2016 and I have been asked to perform the "Toast to the Laddies" at the magnificent Monachyle Mhor Hotel, Burns in the Barn event 24th January.  Until then, Merry Christmas and slàinte mhath.