Lochs & Glens

The conversion of Dalcroy Farm into four self- catering apartments was completed ready for our first guests in early April. The setting at the head of Loch Tummel is idyllic, and each apartment has either a balcony or patio overlooking the garden and fields. The 30 acres of grounds includes a nature reserve and an island accessible by short causeway. The facilities of the nearby Loch Tummel Hotel are available to guests including, of course, the live evening entertainment. Perthshire has a lot to offer - there are so many unspoilt villages to explore together with a good choice of restaurants. But the best advice comes from those guests who have already stayed and the following are entries from the apartments' "Holiday Hints" books.

"We have had a very enjoyable week with good weather. We walked many forest trails -The Birks of Aberfeldy are not to be missed. The pass of Killiecrankie and Linn of Tummel makes an excellent days walking (approx 9 miles). Hope to come back again."

"A trip to Mallaig on the train via Fort William is a must - it goes from Rannoch Station."
Ray, Alice, Chris, Yvonne & Buddy the Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Wallasey, Merseyside

"We have thoroughly enjoyed our week here and hope to come again. Drummond Castle just outside Crieff is worth a visit, also the Waltzing Waters at Newtonmore are spectacular. The House of Bruar four miles from Blair Atholl is good for shopping, though expensive".
Sheila & Jeanette Clark, Edinburgh

"Memorial Arch, and Picnic Site at the Clunie Power station is worth a visit. Tourist information has a leaflet on Pitlochry walks, which is very good value for 50p."
Mr & Mrs McGregor Durham

"Try the Moulin Inn - approximately 1/4 mile from Pitiochry. Turn off main street opposite W H Smiths, varied menu, good food served all day, lively place with good atmosphere. There is a nice tour if you carry on along same road to Kirkmichael then take road north to Braemar, Ballater, Grantown - returning via A9.Another tour is to proceed north on A9, turning off at Dalwhinnie. Proceed to Laggan, Loch Laggan, Spean Bridge, Fort William, Glencoe and Rannoch Moor to Tyndrum. Returning via Crianiarich, Killin and Loch Tay. Nice place will be returning here."
John and Irene Proctor, Warrington

There is only one lake in Scotland, many hundreds of lochs, but just one lake - the Lake of Menteith. Quite why this is the exception, no one is certain.

Guests staying at either Loch Achray or lnversnaid will almost certainly pass along its scenic shores at least once. It is situated just a few miles from Aberfoyle on the road to Stirling.

The lake and its three islands are steeped in history. Inchmaholm is the best known and is much visited due to the beautiful ruins of the 13th Century priory. Soon after the English invasion, Mary Queen of Scots, was sent here for her safety when she was just five years old before she was smuggled across to France. A small garden known as Queen Mary's Bower can still be seen. On the island known as Inch Talla, there are remains of the castle that was home to the earls of Menteith for over 450 years. The third, and much smaller island, is Dog Island and was used for kennels.

But in recent years the Lake of Menteith has been better known for the unique and spectacular Bonspiel. During those infrequent winters when the ice on the lake reaches a depth of 10 inches, a Grand Curling Match is announced and teams from all over Scotland converge for an amazing North versus South encounter. A canon is fired, the president of the Royal Caledonian Society reads out a telegram from the Queen and battle commences!

The last meeting took place on 7th February, 1979. 2400 players took part and , in total there were over 1 0,000 players and spectators on the ice. There is no record of the winning team, but as the malt whisky flowed freely, perhaps it didn't matter!