​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.

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!

Snow fell just before we took a winter break, leaving our lovely guests from somerset in charge of the grounds in November.

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!

Who said it was a bad summer?  Summer is not all about the weather in Lochearnhead.  Guests enter into the spirit here (especially at the 19th hole on our loch side putting green, also known as "Frasers Pavillion" )  ​

Guests don't come here to sunbathe, though it is a pleasant bonus when they can. Some do come to bathe in Loch Earn and its not just pet guests that have been in for a dip;  as illustrated by our August 50th birthday girl accompanied by her Danish relatives. They challenged Fraser to join them and he was first in at 9am.  I would have obliged but someone had to take the pics!  

This summer brought us:

Wildlife and weddings this month. Mallard ducklings,  baby swallows, marriage vows and a double wedding at Briar Cottages on Loch Earn in July. What a month and the BLS Highland Games in Lochearnhead are on 25th July. 

One of our regular mallards nested amongst the plants behind our fish pond where she likely hatched herself.

We watched a pair of swallows as they built a nest under the roof of the hot tub building at the back of Briar Cottage. What a treat to be able to see them from the comfort of the kitchen. We can see the swallows feeding their young as they grow stronger and battle for space in the nest, with regular feeds dropped off by mum and dad. 

Briar Steading Romance: Canadian guests asked if we would witness them renewing their wedding vows. The ceremony was conducted on a sunny evening on the banks of Loch Earn and a celtic eternity ring was given to the bride followed by champagne all round. 

One week later we had a double wedding ceremony in our garden on the banks of Loch Earn.

The blackcurrants and gooseberries are ready to pick! So, there is some advantage to rain and fortunately most of it has been through the night. We have not had to water the garden once this summer and we have enjoyed some lovely sunsets this month.

July is not over yet. We still have the annual BLS Highland Games to look forward to this Saturday 25th July.  Even the TV cameras are coming this year.  Weather permitting, we will be treated to a stunt pilot looping the loop and blowing smoke rings in the sky above the games field. Starts 12.00 and the McLaren, MacGregor, Stewart and McNab clans will march onto the field around 1pm.  There will be piping, Highland dancing, fun open events, invitation heavyweight events, food and drink and stalls. Pure Malt play in the beer tent from 4pm.  This is a very well run traditional event.  Only £6 on the gate if you want to come along.  

As Chair of the Loch Earn Tourism Information group, I will be assisting on and off at the LETi stand on the Highland Games field.  Come and say hello and find out about where to stay, eat and things to do in the surrounding villages and area. Hope to see you there.

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 [email protected] 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.

Thanks to all of our lovely guests who took time out to share their experiences and photographs of Briar Cottages self catering on Loch Earn, our area within The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, things to do and places to eat. Thanks to you we have been awarded the highest bubble rating by TripAdvisor in the world and a Certificate of Excellence Award for customer services 2015.  We have decided to display it in our luxury cottage Briar Steading. 

"TripAdvisor is pleased to honour exceptional hospitality businesses that have received consistent praise and recognition by travellers on the site,” said Marc Charron President, TripAdvisor for Business. “By putting a spotlight on businesses that are focused on delivering great service to customers, TripAdvisor not only helps drive increasing hospitality standards around the world, it also gives businesses both large and small the ability to shine and stand out from the competition.”

You can be sure of continuous improvement at Briar Cottages on Loch Earn. Never a dull moment for the energetic Mr P. So what's he up to now?  All will be revealed next time.