​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.  ​

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.

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.  

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.

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.