Briar Cottages Loch Earn Luxury and Pet Friendly Self Catering Holidays
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From Oh Deer to Christmas Cheer ( Shoot that Stag)

21/12/2015

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Wee Santa & Stan pose for Christmas Pics 

Stan stag plays Rudolph, Lochearnhead
Stan the Stag plays Rudolph
Oh Deer, wooden stag creationOh Deer!
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.

Wee santa poses with Rudolph
Wee Santa poses for Christmas
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.

We invite you to shoot our stag!

Enjoy our images of Stan and if you are passing on the A85 opposite Briar Cottages, Lochearnhead, do stop and "shoot" your own photographs. ​He lights up at night between 4-9pm against the black loch and skies around us. Can't wait to see him on a moonlit night.
Fraser puts nose on stag statue
Fraser gives Stan a makeover
Rudolph Stag
As if by magic... behold Rudolph!
Stag statue faces Briar Cottages
Watching over Briar Cottages
Stag sculpture at night Loch Earn
Stag Night 4-9pm
Stan against calm Loch Earn
Stan against backdrop of Loch Earn
Majestic stag statue Lochearnhead
Majestic beast stops the traffic
Stan the Stag Loch Earn close up
You lookin' at Me?
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.
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Winter Wonders in Briar Land Loch Earn

11/12/2015

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Pumpkin head Briar Cottages Loch Earn
Happy Pumpkin Head on Misty Sunny Day Loch Earn
PictureBramble Bushes +Sloe Trees line Briar Cottages
Autumn seemed to come and go quickly this year. Mind you we have been fully booked and time flies when you are having fun! Still managed to pick brambles (blackberry's). My favourite flavour for crumble.  The sun shone on the autumn leaves making them even more spectacular this year. Then out came the pumpkins.  Its been a long time since I smelled the more traditional turnip lantern. Mr pumpkin simply has a bigger ba' face to work on. Fraser did us proud with four carvings strategically placed on our loch garden lights for best effect. Next on the list of to do's was picking the sloe berry's for gin.  In Lochearnhead we use a rough measurement.  

                  Lochearnhead Locals Sloe Gin Recipe
  • Freeze sloes first so that they open 
  • Buy inexpensive gin and whisky (Not Malt).
  • Pour alcohol into bottles until they are a third full.
  • Add Sloe Berries to each bottle
  • Add a third of castor sugar to make up the final third
  • Fill to the top and screw the lid back on tightly
  • Give each bottle a good shake then lie them on their side
  • Shake them every day for a week
  • Shake once a week until the sugar has dissolved
  • The Gin and whisky will turn a lovely pinky red colour
  • Drink after 3-6 months or leave longer if you can.

I like to experiment and have made blackcurrant Gin and Vodka as well as Rose Hip vodka using berries from the garden.   I don't advise bramble white rum after trying it.  Turned out like rocket fuel......maybe not even that nice!

Pumpkin Head at Briar Cottages 2015
Scary Briar Pumpkin
Briar Pumpkin Halloween
Smlley Briar Pumpkin
Snow fell just before we took a winter break, leaving our lovely guests from somerset in charge of the grounds in November.
Snow falling at Briar Cottage Lochearnhead
Snow Falling at Briar Cottage
Solar owl on misty morning Loch Earn
Misty morning behind Solar Owl
Picture
Autumn leaves falling in the rear garden, Lochearnhead
We will be revealing our "Statue" in the loch garden next. He has been added to help celebrate 2016 Year of Architecture Innovation and Design.  Fraser has been busy as usual!
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    Author Kim Proven. 

    Welcome to my blog on life around Briar Cottages. We invite you to share our experience living on the banks of Loch Earn either by booking  a holiday or short break here in any season or by keeping up to date with our news, stories and photographs depicting this stunning location and way of life within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park of Scotland. 

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Briar Cottages,
 Lochearnhead, Perthshire, Scotland, FK19 8PU  Tel: 01567 830 443  Mob: 07917 416 497
website: www.stayatbriar.co.uk  email: briarinfo@btinternet.com


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