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5 Fringe Benefits of Winning a Scottish Thistle Award

17/7/2018

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PictureKim receiving the Scottish Thistle Award for LETi's BLiSS trail -"Innovation in tourism" drawing by Jo Adamson

​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.  
​​

Fraser with Thistle The Fishers Laundry mascot
Fraser and Fishers Laundry "Thistle" #Thistles25
 ​
Fringe Benefit 1
- First of all,  during the night of the rewards ceremony in March 2018, the headline sponsor,  Fishers Laundry,  gave everyone a mascot dog in a box.

The dog was called  Thistle ( okay we worked out that he was a green facecloth with sunglasses and personality.)

This is a photo of Fraser sharing his wine with Thistle who had sneaked into his top pocket at the EICC for a better view of the stage acts.

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. 
Kim Proven with thistles #BLiSStrailThistle heads galore
​
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.

Fishers Laundry dressing gown prize for Kim Proven
Fishers Laundry luxury dressing gown
Fishers Laundry truck photo both with Kim and Fraser Proven
Kim and Fraser posing in Fishers Laundry truck
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... 
​
Gift gesture from reception Ayre Astoria Pa;lace Hotel
Lovely gesture from reception team Ayre Astoria Palace Hotel -Valencia

​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
BLS Highland Games march of the committee
President Angus Cameron on The March of The Committee - Highland Games Lochearnhead
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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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Continuous Improvement at Briar Cottages, Lochearnhead on Loch Earn

20/6/2015

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So, what was under wraps in the last blog photo?  Did you guess?
Fraser Proven , Top of the hill Briar CottagesFraser admires his handy work




Frasers project
Fraser's hill project
A simple bench courtesy of Mr P.  The seat enables you to catch your breath at the top ,especially if you find the garden hill challenging at Briar Cottages looking over Loch Earn. More importantly when you turn around and see the view you will want to sit and admire it.  
Lawnmower Briar Cottages
Full time job cutting and strimming
PictureRead at Briar Steading
Guest Danny Ward made it all the way up, at 81 years old.  Guest dogs adore the run around space. 

Behind the fence is the old railway walkway that leads back to the village.  Brambles grow here in autumn and sloe trees bear fruit, right of the picture, in winter. Crumbles and sloe gin go down well in winter months however we are looking forward to summer veg, strawberries. apples, gooseberries, cherries and blackcurrants first. Guests are welcome to pick anything that grows at Briar Cottages to enjoy with their lunch or dinner.  We have a fantastic rosemary bush at the foot of the driveway to the cottages too. 

There are a few cook books in Briar Steading, including "The Reluctant Cook" by local authoress Libby Ransom,written in the name of her grandmother, E.   Bentinck. Libby's husband John Ransom has written numerous books on transport and local history including our local railway heritage. Copies are available to purchase at SULA furnishing shop at , The Tryst, Balquhidder net door to MHOR 84 motel. Drive 2.5 miles or go by bike along cycle route 7 Lochearnhead to Strathyre.

Fraser Proven and Danny
Danny admires Fraser's bench and the view from the top
View Loch Earn from top of Briar Cottages
How's that for a view over Briar Cottages and Loch Earn
All in a days work for Fraser. Since the bench he has varnished the garden furniture, erected an international flag on one poll and the Scottish Saltire on the other, created a vegetable border, made hanging flower baskets, trimmed back the wisteria from our thatched roof, cut and rolled the various lawns and so much more. 

If you want to come and see for yourself, visit www.stayatbriar.co.uk in the first instance, email briarinfo@btinternet.com or call Kim and Fraser 01567 830 443 to book.  

NB £50 local restaurant gift voucher choice when you book any short break that is left in Briar Steading our luxury cottage. QUOTE: Briar50 July offer.
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Website Makeover for Briar Cottages Luxury and Pet Friendly Cottages Lochearnhead

1/5/2015

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Picture
PictureMaisy enjoying the garden on Loch Earn
Welcome to our new look website. What do you think? Please use the social media tabs above to tell us. You will find them at the top right of every page. Please let us know what you think on Twitter ,Google+ Facebook and other sites that you use.  

We've added a page about us.   We are now mobile friendly so you should be able to view this site easily on tablets and mobiles. You will also see my Twitter updates and your TripAdvisor guest reviews on the home page in the right hand column. If we are not already social media friends please follow us on Twitter @Briarcottages and RT any pages of interest or become a fan on our Briar Cottages Facebook Page. 


Thank you to all guests who let me take pictures of their pets for the Little Briar Cottage Page. I look forward to taking more pictures this summer and seeing some of
yours.

Both cottages are booking fast this year however there are still summer gaps for weekly holidays and short breaks on Loch Earn, so please get in touch if you are planning some time off. We are entirely flexible on your start day of the week and our minimum price is based on 3 nights.  Get in touch about this year and 2016 and NB New Year is already booked at Briar Steading.

We are always grateful for input and feedback so if you see anything that needs amending on this website please don't be shy in telling us. 

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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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