Introducing Walk Scotland
Explore Scotland News As mentioned two years ago, we are now focusing 100% on Highland Perthshire. Explore Guides— We have increased our print run to 85,000 for the 12 page 2017 Explore Highland Perthshire guides. This is one of a family of guides across Scotland covering St Andrews, Inverness, Oban, Stirlng, Western Isles, and Isle of Mull with a total print run of 495,000 guides.
Walk Scotland is my new business offering a comprehensive range of guided walking activities in Highland Perthshire and across Scotland. Many of you may well know me, Emma O'Shea, as one of the National Trust for Scotland Rangers at Killiecrankie and Dunkeld.
have continued to explore and introduce people to the outdoors from woodlands and rivers, to moorlands and mountain tops, ever since.
My role as a Ranger/Naturalist has enabled me to gain an in depth appreciation and enthusiasm for working with individuals, I was introduced to hill-walking at the age of groups, families and children whilst sharing 8 by my father, during a childhood spent my knowledge of native flora and fauna and exploring the Yorkshire Dales and Lake Dis- local cultural history. trict and have loved walking ever since. A I am a fully qualified summer and winter move to Scotland 20 years ago to study Mountain Leader with extensive guiding and Geology at the University of Edinburgh preinstructing experience. As a qualified Wildersented fresh opportunities. In 2004 I comness Emergency Medical Technician (in pleted my first round of the Munros, and layman’s terms, a [Continues on page 2 ……] 1
Web sites—We have revamped our Pitlochry web site which focuses on the whole of Highland Perthshire. This web site is also part of a world wide network of web sites working together. We are about to start work on revamping HighlandPerthshire.com.
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Explore Highland Perthshire Tourism Newsletter 2017
Introducing Walk Scotland (Continues from page 1) mountain medic). I am also one of the civil-
Some ideas for Highland Perthshire Walks:ian volunteer members of Tayside Mountain A first Munro – Schiehallion. Rescue Team. As Walk Scotland I am set on delivering engaging and informative year round walking activities suitable for all abilities and ages, young and old, from half day strolls, through to first Munros and multi-day expeditions. Low level walks cater for up to 16 people and high level up to 8 people, if your group is larger I will arrange additional support.
Summit a family friendly mountain – Ben Vrackie. Longer mountain walks for the more energetic – recommended favourites include Beinn a'Ghlo, Ben Lawers and Meall nan Tarmachan. Explore picturesque Glen Tilt - a low level river and woodland circuit.
help fill your hotel during the quieter times of the year. Or if you have a large group, would be able to offer walking activities to extend their stay by an extra night or two.
Black wood of Rannoch – ancient Caledoni- Please contact me, Emma O'Shea, to disan Pine Forest full of interesting flora and cuss anything you feel I can help with. As fauna. with any new business I would really appreciate your help in getting word out about Rannoch Moor and “The Road to the Isles” what I am doing and welcome your sugges– take the train from Rannoch station to the tions. Tel:- 07747 883464 E-mail:- emremote Corrour Halt and return on foot ma@walkscotland.net Web:along part of the footpath known as “the www.walkscotland.net road to the isles”. Pitlochry Town Walk – incorporating visits to local attractions as desired. I can offer general and specialist interest walks which are forest, moorland or mountain based such as Munro summits exploring the upland environment; discovering Caledonian pine forest habitats; geology and landforms; and wild flower and fungi folklore and identification. Outdoor instruction can include bush-craft, navigation courses and winter skills coaching.
Hill Skills – Learn to navigate using a map and compass. Hill Skills Winter – Get to grips with snow using ice axe and crampons. Hotel and B&B owners - If you are a hotel or B&B owner and would like to discuss how we can work together, please get in touch. I would be able to organise winter walks to
The Inn on Loch Tummel now open excited to announce the new opening times. In addition to our lunch and dinner offering we are now open for takeaway breakfast and throughout the afternoon for teas, coffees and something sweet.
'It was a busy winter here at the Inn with all of our 6 ensuite bedrooms all being newly recarpeted. Our breakfast room has undergone something of a transformation. New carpets, paint, fixtures and fittings now befitting of the stunning views it looks out onto. Also upstairs a whole new space being created in the shape of a library for our residents to sit and relax in after dinner with a wee dram, or curl up and read a book on those relaxing afternoons’
Our award winning 30 cover restaurant with stunning views out over Loch Tummel serves lunches, dinners and a traditional roast lunch on Sundays. . Every meal is prepared using locally sourced ingredients For lunch and Dinner reservations please call: 01882 634 317 or alternatively email and is made fresh to order. us on: info@theinnatlochtummel.com Monday - Closed Tuesday - Saturday 8.30am - 10pm Sunday - 8.30am - 3pm’ We look forward to welcoming you to the Inn.
'After a busy winters refurbishment we are
Jade and Alice 2
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Explore Highland Perthshire Tourism Newsletter 2017
Loch Tay Safaris! name of Donald Riddell’s great grandfather’s steam yacht, which served as an antisubmarine vessel in the First World War.
the Victorian pleasure steamers that once cruised the waters with crowds of day trippers enjoying the stunning views flanked by the impressive bulk of the Ben Lawers mountain range, much of which is designated as a National Nature Reserve.
The boat will be open to the public from During the 90the 1st April 2017 and bookings can be minute cruise the made via the Loch Tay Safaris website experienced skipper www.LochTaySafaris.net
Highland Safaris is delighted to announce the launch of the much anticipated Loch Tay Safaris! The brand new, custom-built twelve seater rib boat will be the first commercial vessel to have a permanent place on the stunning Loch Tay. Stretching over 15 miles in length and 1 mile wide, the Loch is conveniently situated just four short miles from Dull, where Highland Safaris is based. The rib has been named Iolaire, which means ‘eagle’ in Gaelic and was also the
will point out the Loch’s nature and wildlife while passengers can sit back and absorb the Loch’s history and folklore that dates back to the Iron Age. Listen to tales of the ancient settlers who lived on Loch Tay almost 2,500 years ago, and hear of
Discover the power of hydro electricity It has a 60 seat café serving home baked food, scones, lunches and freshly brewed coffee and tea as well as offering a multi-purpose space suitable for educational visits. The free entry centre will showcase the great engineering feats of the hydro projects of the 1950s, including compelling tales from the ‘Tunnel Tigers’ and the incredible story of how salmon navigate their way through SSE’s dams and fish ladNew for 2017: SSE has recently opened its ders. new £4m Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre in Perthshire – which is free to enter and of- The centre, located just off fers free WiFi to all visitors. the A9 in Pitlochry, offers: In recognition of the energy company’s proud heritage, the centre showcases the hydro engineering revolution which brought power to the glens for the first time in the 1950s. The new visitor centre is cantilevered eight metres out from the banks of the River Tummel, thus providing breath-taking views of Pitlochry dam, the hydro station and Loch Faskally.
• A year round, free entry and free WiFi, indoor visitor attraction in the tourist hotspot of Pitlochry • A unique story about hydro electricity that combines social, environmental and engineering history A spectacular location overlooking the hydro dam, 3
River Tummel and Loch Faskally. • Quality and great locally sourced food • A tastefully selected range of interesting and relevant retail merchandise • Open seven days a week all year round from 9.30am-5.30pm [last entry 5pm] For more details see: www.pitlochrydam.com or ring: 01796 484 111 or Email: pitlochry.dam@sse.com
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Live Music Sessions at Food in the Park quee when the bands were in full swing and the crowd was jumping was well worth all the hard work” commented Davie. “We wanted to create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else around, where people could have great food, listen to aweA new venture began in 2016 at Food in the some live music and let their hair Park Fish and Chip Take Away and Restau- down in a friendly and exciting environment rant in Blair Atholl and such was the suc– on good weather nights the walls of the cess of this enterprise, it is back for 2017! marquee came down and it was almost like being at a mini festival! We’ve had such At the start of the 2016 season Davie fantastic feedback from everyone, especialMckenzie, proprietor at Food in the Park, ly the locals, saying that it’s just what Blair recognised that there was a gap in the marAtholl needed!” ket for the Blair Atholl area. Being 7 miles The marquee was decorated with fairy light-adorned stag antlers and there were straw bales for seating, which created a laid back, country feel; exactly what Davie was aiming for! The food at Food in the Park Take Away and Restaurant continued to be served almost up to when the last customer decided to call it a night and the bar was open up to 12am at the weekends, which all made for a great night out!
from the livelier Pitlochry, it isn’t often that easy for locals and visitors to Blair Atholl to catch any live music., so they often miss out. So why not bring the fun closer to home?! Within no time Davie had all the authorities on-side, purchased a marquee (and a big one at that!), organised a professional sound and lighting crew and stage, transformed a used shipping container into a huge bar, bought a pool table, swapped the frozen yoghurts in his smoothie van for cocktails, convinced some of Perthshire’s best live bands to come and play at Food in the Park and then BOOM!... ‘Live Music Sessions at Food in the Park’ was born! Initially planned to be running for just two weeks, the live music sessions were such a hit that there was widespread call for the live music sessions to continue up to the end of August! “The atmosphere created within the mar-
Recognising that a lot of visitors to the area over the summer holidays would have young family in tow, a number of afternoon music sessions were organised as well as the evening events so that parents wouldn’t miss out on all the fun – these ran from 4pm to 6pm and were also a great success! The bands that played at the live music sessions included Red Pine Timber Company, Yard of Ale, Chil, Strings Attached, Simon Kennedy Band, Independence, Karys Neeps and Tatties, Abandon, Ganked and Gerry Jablonski to name but a few – all awesome bands able to whip up a party in no time!
So, what happens in 2017? More of the same! Live Music Sessions at Food in the Park is back, starting from the end of May. 4
The plan is to host live events over a few weekends building up to a two week extravaganza at the end of July. The Music sessions will then continue over the weekends up to the end of August. New for 2017 will be the addition of 2 or 3 large TVs allowing Food in the Park to show all the major sporting events over the summer inside the marquee! So get ready for some Pimms fuelled Wimbledon matches and a cool pint of beer with your Rugby! There is already a fairly full line up of bands booked for the 2017 summer season; the website will be updated and refreshed once everything is confirmed www.foodintheparklive.co.uk All of the bands that played in 2016 will be returning at least once over the 2017 season and there are lots of new bands booked as well. There will be a dedicated Facebook page for the music sessions, which is new for 2017, so that everyone can be notified instantly of what’s going on... and of course you can always phone Food in the Park for details when they open again for the season in late March 01796 481484. Live Music Sessions at Food in the Park is a fantastic new venture that will only get better and better – Great food, awesome live music, huge bar, free car park, families welcome, dogs welcome.. what’s not to love?!
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The Old Mill Inn, Pitlochry
2016 has been another phenomenal year at The Old Mill Inn and our reputation continues to grow as being a great place to go. We’ve been awarded once again the title of Inn of the Year 2016 and we’re up for the same again in 2017 so fingers crossed! Our wonderful team at The Old Mill have also received recognition from awarding bodies with the lovely Gosia in the running for Scottish Receptionist of the Year and the whole team are up for Front of House Team of the year too! Incredible praise indeed and they are all very much looking forward to welcoming you and your guests over the coming season. Our kitchen team are raring to go for the season and we’ve been working on our menus with some dishes re-appearing due to popular demand like our warm Storno-
way Black Pudding Salad, thanks to Pauline of last month on social media to great acDuncan of Northlands! claim. The video went viral and we reached almost a quarter or million people from We’ve continued to re-invest in the Inn and around the globe! If you haven’t seen it yet, our bedroom refurbishment programme is you can check it out on our website complete. The public areas have been www.theoldmillpitlochry.co.uk. It features smartened up for the season ahead and we our regular band Red Pine Timber Co. both have more parking available over the burn in the video and on the soundtrack and in our overflow car park. We were also degives prospective customers a flavour of lighted to retain our 4 star GOLD VisitScotwhat to expect at The Old Mill Inn. land grading again this year. Our Band bookings will also carry on with great live music every Friday & Saturday night throughout the season. Lastly, we’d like to thank each and every one of you for your continued support of The Old Mill Inn. It is with your help and support that we continue to go from strength to strength and we’re eternally grateful.
Our annual quiz night for world cancer day raised £2000 for the McMillan Cornhill Hospice in Perth. The night was a huge success and we extend our thanks to everyone who donated prizes and came along to support such a great cause. The quiz will be back next year so keep swotting up on that general knowledge!
Hope to see you all soon - Fiona & Angus John MacLellan.
We have been working on a video of The Old Mill Inn and it was launched at the end
VisitScotland iCentre
English classes @ The Atholl Centre, Pitlochry We have taken the initiative to get one going again and a retired teacher, Jim Finnie who was involved with ESOL will help with English conversation etc.
If you’re looking for the true spirit of Pitlochry & Highland Perthshire, start your search at the VisitScotland iCentre in Atholl Road. We’ll point you in the direction of the best the region has to offer, whether you need advice on where to go and what to do, or even if you’re looking to book accommodation or tickets for all kinds of events, activities and transport.
You never know, we might just let you in on a few local secrets.
Our opening hours are: April – June, September & October Monday – Saturday 9.30am – 5.30pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm July & August Monday – Saturday 9am – 6pm, Sunday 9.30am – 5pm
October – March Come and talk to our knowl- Monday – Saturday 10am – edgeable and friendly staff. 4pm
There will also be table tennis, refreshments & snacks and a chance to meet others.
English conversation classes for oversees workers will take place It will be held each Monday from in the Atholl Centre at what we 2 to 4pm for a trial period to see are calling the International Café. how it works. For a number of years the local Council ran ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes in the Centre but this stopped 2 years ago. We still have oversees workers coming into the Centre looking for assistance or being sent by others to find out about when a class may start again. 5
The Atholl Centre is situated behind the Baptist Church next to the Tourist Centre. If you want more information please do get in contact Iain Walker - Tel. 473044 or email@athollcentre.org.uk www.AthollCentre.org.uk Registered Charity No.SC015113
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BLAIR ATHOL DISTILLERY - COMING SOON…………… Murray Gollan – Day Shift Operator
Karen Aycan – Guide New for the 2017 Summer Season will be our Mash Tun Bar which we hope to have up and running for July. We will be offering Tasting Staves and the opportunity to purchase exclusive drams of our Deluxe Limited Whiskies. Please ensure you tell all your customers.
New Tasting Options for 2017
This year we welcome Rocio Pelaez to the Management team.
Guides Choice Tasting £50
2016/2017 has seen a record number of staffing changes on site. I have managed to get photos of some rocio.pelaez@diageo.com 01796482003 of our new members below. Some of the other new members to the team are as follows:Left is Derek Younie, Site Operations Manager joined the team in the spring of 2016.
Olivier Ditzler - Guide
Neil Murphy is our new Senior Site Manager and joined us in October 2016.
Private tutored tasting of 5 whiskies. Two drams of our Cask Strength Blair Athol drawn direct from the cask, one dram from our Vintage Whiskies from the list below and 2 further Drams from our Whisky Treasure Trove. (Minimum numbers 2 – Maximum numbers 8) Please telephone to book your tasting. Managers Selection Tasting £55 Private tutored tasting – One Dram of Cask Strength Blair Athol drawn direct from the cask, one Dram of our Blair Athol Distillery Only Bottling and 3 further Drams from our Vintage Whiskies. (Minimum numbers 2 – Maximum numbers 8) Please telephone to book your tasting. Blenders Tasting £25 Private tutored tasting of our Blair Athol 12 year old and quality single malt and grain whiskies which contribute to the blends. (Minimum numbers 4 – Maximum numbers 8) Please telephone to book your tasting. Blair Athol 12 Year Old, Bell’s Original, Cameronbrig Non-Aged, Cardhu 12 Year Old, Johnnie Walker Black Label, Haig Clubman
New to the Visitor Centre Team Stevie Dye started with us in 2016.
Derrick Day Guide
(All Tour Options includes a voucher £5 discount off the purchase of a 70cl single malt whisky) Contact Details for any team member is 01796482003 blair.athol.distillery@diageo.com www.discovering-distilleries.com
Steven.dye@diageo.com 01796482023 6
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Wee Adventures Adventures in January 2017. Biscuiteering has become a much loved verb and sums up what makes us different: Biscuit himself. Anyone who spends time with Biscuit is likely to leave the day feeling inspired, challenged, connected, accomplished and raring for more!
At Wee Adventures our passion is to encourage people to explore the great outdoors of Highland Perthshire. Based in Aberfeldy and run by Richard (Biscuit) and Sarah Turner, Team Biscuit combines his adventure sports coaching skills and Peter Pan sense of enthusiasm with her business experience. We rebranded from ‘Biscuiteering’ to Wee
We are absolutely delighted to start our second year in business with over 60 children signed up to our monthly Wee Adventures Club and Bike Club. In a busy world it is a real pleasure to be able to connect so many children with nature and adventures every month. We also run Activity Days in the school
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holidays, private bookings and outdoor birthday parties. February half term saw 70 people enjoying a Wee Adventure ranging from an 11th birthday party, a family canoe on the River Tay, to tree climbing, forest fun, bush craft and abseiling Activity Days. Roll on the Easter holidays! Get in touch if we can help you, your family, friends or children get outside for a truly enriching outdoor experience. For more information email sarah@weeadventures.com or call 07780 675859.
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Pitlochry & Blair Atholl Golf Clubs New Professional Come and meet Neil Douglas, The new Head Professional for Pitlochry and Blair Atholl Golf Clubs. Neil has returned to Scotland after spending the last 16 years of his career in Asia. Neil is the former coach to Malaysian National Ladies team, the Singapore national team and the Chinese national squad. Neil is also the owner of The Golf Academy Borneo and The Golf Academy China which specialise in Junior golf training and golf camps. These are manned by British PGA Professionals throughout the year which has allowed him to return to his Scottish roots.
teaching facility will bring a breath of fresh air to Highland Perthshire golf.
United Kingdom.
Pitlochry & Blair Atholl Junior Programmes will commence in April so if you would like The Professional shop is fully your child to join please contact Neil at the stocked and is now a part of the Pro shop on 01796 472 792. This is a Foremost buying group which great way to introduce your child to the offers over 150 different product game of golf at a great price. lines and as competitive a price Private lessons are available upon request range that you will find in the and can also be booked through the Pro shop. So if your game needs a bit of upgrading or you would like to lower that handicap then please feel free to pop in and have a chat with Neil and book a lesson. Neil looks forward to meeting you all and helping your golfing life run smoothly. Contact Details: Pro Shop : 01796 472 792 Email : pro@pitlochrygolf.co.uk Facebook: Pitlochry Golf Pro Shop
Returning to Scotland has been always in his mind and becoming the new Pro here at Pitlochry and manning his own Pro shop and
Errichel — New for 2017 a Guided Farm Walk with Picnic. at Thyme Restaurant, tasting food from the land, on the land, sampling some of the best local, Scottish produce available. Advance booking essential Start: 11am Finish: 2pm Suitable for families. Recommended
18th June, Monday 10th July, Monday 7th August Available for private bookings subject to availability. Early evening and Sundowner Walks, culminating with cocktails on the terrace at Errichel House available by advance booking. Minimum numbers 4 adults. Prices ÂŁ35 per adult. Family tickets and special offers available.
New for 2017 we are introducing a Guided Farm Walk with Picnic.
Booking and enquiries contact Becky or Fiona: enquiries@errichel.co.uk 01887 820850
Accompanied by our sturdy Shetland ponies who carry the picnic, and our guides who are on hand to take visitors on a tour of the farm, seeing our native Rare Breed Large Black Pigs, Rare breed Shetland cattle, Highland ponies, Shetland sheep, goats and a multitude of poultry breeds. We will walk out onto the hill to enjoy fantastic views of Aberfeldy, visit sites of dwellings from bygone eras from Sheilings to prehistoric round huts and stop to enjoy a delicious picnic lunch created by our team
for children aged over 5 years, all children must be supervised by a responsible adult. Upcoming Dates: Sunday 21st May, Sunday
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Winter Maintenance at the Scottish Crannog Centre During the course of the year the Crannog is subject to all types of weather, the movement of loch-water and visitors on a daily basis.
the uprights beneath the Crannog. Where ever possible they used traditional methods to carry out the work with obvious regard for health and safety. This saw them in hard-hats, floatation equipment, harnesses and even dry-suits not to mention thermal and waterproof clothing while they clambered intrepidly underneath the roundhouse, sometimes just inches away from the water. In order to replace the uprights, the floor and sides of the Crannog had to be removed; the new uprights were floated from the
The structure is monitored closely during the season but winter is a time to replace, repair and renew. Therefore, as soon as the Centre closes its doors to the public on 31st October, the maintenance team move in to commence both essential and routine work. This year, the team were faced with the exciting but daunting prospect of replacing
shore to underneath the house, winched up into place then driven into the loch-bed. To facilitate this, the team have been suspended underneath the Crannog on ropes, boards and poles. All in all, 38 uprights were replaced by the team. The work has been long and tough but the results are set to last another 20 years! The Centre opens on 01 April for its 20th anniversary year. Please see our website www.crannog.co.uk for further details.
2016 was a wonderful year at Taste Perthshire the same. Come in and have a browse! In 2015 we introduced our Highland Cows into the field beside Taste Perthshire and they have been very well received. We’re currently improving the fencing and walkway before bringing the cows back with their new babies in time for Easter. The dog walk alongside the field has also been improved for our canine visitors. If you visited just before Christmas last year, you might have noticed that we had enhanced our Christmas shop and decorations throughout Taste Perthshire. We also had the Dunkeld hand bell ringers in to play which was warmly received by visitors. For the season ahead, the core team are We’re not stopping at that, though! This here as usual to welcome you with their year’s Christmas offering will be improved ever friendly and efficient service. again making Taste Perthshire THE place to go for all things Festive! Our kitchen team remains the same and they carry on using wonderful local produce to create the dishes on our popular menus. We’re open from 8am every morning for breakfast so if you’re heading into Perth or off for a meeting, why not pop in for bite and a cuppa. You can even grab a takeaway if you’re in a rush! 2016 was a wonderful year at Taste Perthshire which saw the new brand firmly established and a breath of fresh life throughout the business.
Our shops continue to thrive and every month we’re adding new lines from local & national suppliers, so no two visits are ever
Our hampers continue to be incredibly popular and we now take orders for them (and o t h e r items) on our online shop – have a look at www.tasteperthshire.co.uk/shop where you can see our selection. We’ve also installed some live webcams which are available to view at www.perthshirewebcam.co.uk , one on the A9 heading south toward Perth and another on our Highland Cow pasture. Might come in handy if you’re needing to check road or traffic conditions. Finally, we would very much like to thank you for your support and custom over the years. As a token of our appreciation, we have introduced a reward scheme for local businesses who send guests to visit us. If you would like more details, please email calum@tasteperthshire.co.uk. Hope to see you soon at Taste Perthshire. Calum & Jane MacLellan - Owners
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20 Years of the Scottish Crannog Centre Age loch-dwelling. It first opened its doors to the public in 1997 and has been entertaining and educating visitors from all over the world ever since.
An Iron Age Artisan Village taking place over the weekend of 5th and 6th August is the signature event celebrating the anniversary. This prehistoric extravaganza features demonstrations of metal-working, potTo help celebrate this special year, the Cenmaking, textiles, basketry, cooking, beads, tre has many exciting and unique events jewellery and adornment, dug-out canoe trips and much more. The Village will also feature a Market Place where you can purchase many of the 'one-of-a-kind' handmade craft items made or on display at the village
2017 sees the award-winning Scottish Crannog Centre celebrating its 20th anniversary. Based on excavations at Oakbank Crannog in Loch Tay by The Scottish Trust for Underwater Archaeology (STUA registered charity SC018418), the Roundhouse was built as an archaeological experiment and is an authentic recreation of an Iron
The Centre is open daily from 01 April to 31 October, 10.00 – 5.30pm. Details of all special events can be found at www.crannog.co.uk
lined up commencing with the Easter Eggstravaganza on Easter Sunday. Events are held regularly throughout the season and include demonstrations of Iron Age life such as cooking, wood-working and metalworking. All events are based on finds and knowledge of how loch-dwellers lived their daily lives. Important Celtic calendar events such as Beltane and Samhain also feature as part of the special events programme.
Atholl Palace Museum packed full of historical insights and anecdotes, perfect for minds both old and young to explore. The museum charts the history of the hotel from when it opened as a Hydropathic establishment in 1878 through to its reopening after World War II and beyond. There are tales of bankruptcy, colourful entrepreneurs, unusual and torturous spa treatments, and evacThis is the only museum in Scotland to cele- uees turning hotel to school. As it unfolds, it delves behind the scenes of life for Victorian brate the social history of a hotel and in hotel servants including maids, porters, 2005 when it first opened it was the first chauffeurs and gardeners, many of whom museum of its kind in the UK. lived in the servants’ quarters where the museum stands. Over 2016 it has undergone an extensive £30,000 investment refurbishment to Open daily from 10am - 5pm, £3.00. enhance the visitor experience including Situated within Atholl Palace Hotel creating a small rail carriage and crafting Atholl Palace Hotel and Museum, 01796 a map of the hotel and a mini game with472400 history@athollpalace.com in Minecraft. Room settings and tactile exhibits will be 10
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CLUNY HOUSE GARDENS Beneath this canopy grow many bulbs and tubers including American wood lilies, Dog’s tooth violets, European and Giant Himalayan lilies, and exotic Cobra lilies. Carpets of primulas grow in the damper spots with the first species flowering in February and by mid May, the candelabras begin to take over the whole garden!
treecreepers and great spotted woodpeckers. Cluny is on a steep slope with many steps but there is a shorter path around the top of the garden for those who are less able. There are always walking sticks to hand and a few strategic seats for a little rest! We know from past visitors that Cluny is very much appreciated as a place of peace and quiet where you can imagine yourself away to another place without the stress of today’s busy electronic age.
Cluny is a beautiful mature woodland garden and throughout all seasons of the year has something special to offer. Always to be marvelled is the UK’s widest conifer, a Giant Redwood, measuring over 11 metres in girth. This splendid tree is amongst many different varieties of conifers and deciduous trees ranging in age from one to 200 years old.
John, Wendy & Fiona.
Blue poppies flower in May – June while other Himalayan Meconopsis growing up to 3m, can still be flowering into early autumn. Cluny is an excellent place to spot different wildlife including numerous well fed red squirrels, brown hares and a good variety of woodland birds including long tailed tits,
Fountain Bar Aberfeldy
The Fountain Bar is a family friendly bar offering informal dining in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Serving good home made food every day from 12-9pm.
Black Watch Inn & Croft Restaurant Aberfeldy
The Courtyard Bar & Brasserie Kenmore
The Black Watch Inn is a traditional bar with cosy booths and a pool table. There is a large enclosed beer garden to the rear of the property which is very
A lovely place to enjoy with a friendly atmosphere and service. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily whether it be inside relaxing on the couches by the cosy fire or outside on the extensive sun deck area.
There is regular entertainment every Saturday night plus we have a monthly charity quiz night to support different charities in the area. We also allow friendly dogs in the bar area.
Children of all ages are well catered for and well behaved dogs are welcome in the bar area and decking. popular during the summer months. The Croft restaurant adjacent to the bar seats up to 46 guests. We cater for large bookings and functions. The same menu is served in the bar, beer garden and restaurant. 11
The restaurant is open daily and caters for all tastes for a romantic dinner, family gathering to a variety of different functions and dinner dances.
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Another facelift for the Struan Inn evening. The idea for our new Deerstalker’s lounge was therefore born. The new area has a wood-burning stove, a selection of seating and a desk for laptop users. Decorated in a theme in-keeping with the rest of the building, we hope that the new lounge will be popular with diners and residents alike. After a busy 2016 season, the Struan Inn is growing once again! We closed earlier than usual in December to allow the workmen to move in as we had a big project ahead of us – to create a new lounge and expand the existing restaurant. For those of you who remember the Struan Inn of old, as you came in through the front door and turned left you would have entered a lounge with an open fire. Under previous owners, this was turned into a bedroom and more recently was in a fairly poor state being the only room in the building not yet refurbished.
formal, but ideal for larger parties, including private functions. We also plan to introduce more outside seating in the garden for the summer, as el-fresco dining proved to be extremely popular last season. We are looking forward to another busy year and now we have more space for diners, we hope to see even more locals and tourists visiting the Inn. Remember, anyone staying or living within a six mile radius can take advantage of our courtesy minibus (seating eight) when booking a table for dinner. We may be able to travel further for larger parties. Just give us a call. We look forward to welcoming customers both old and new in 2017!
In the meantime, we have converted the old conservatory lounge into the Clachan Restaurant – a smaller, more intimate, yet informal dining space with views across to Struan Point. Residents will be able to enjoy this sunny room at breakfast time and lunches will also be served here.
With demand for evening meals increasing, more residents and a compact bar, we felt that the Inn lacked space for those wanting to sit and relax with a drink before a meal or The Errochty Restaurant is slightly more for residents to sit before retiring for the
Spirit Of Wood completed an extension to our showroom. The new space has allowed us to expand our range of quality sofas and bedroom furniture.
This year is already proving to be another busy year at Spirit Of Wood. We have Just celebrated 15 years in business and also
We now stock the hand crafted Harrison bed & mattress range. Harrison beds are uniquely made using natural materials and award winning pocket spring nesses. Contact Conor on 01887 829899 systems which provide superior support and or email conor@spirit-of-wood.com for more information. comfort. Added to our sofa range is a collection of great value British made sofas available in heavy use fabrics suitable for hotel and guesthouses. Prices start from £720 for a 3 seater sofa. Made to measure sizes also available. Don’t forget we offer a wide range of furniture solutions and trade discounts to local busi12
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WHAT’S NEW MAINS OF TAYMOUTH COUNTRY ESTATE & GOLF COURSE
Our prestigious 160acre estate is now in its 95th year under the ownership and management of the Menzies family. To be precise, this is the 4th generation to have the pleasure of doing so. During this time the estate which was the former home farm for Taymouth Castle has under gone a dramatic transformation from working farm and caravan park to 43 5* letting houses ,golf course and riding stables along with its popular Courtyard Bar, Restaurant and shopping experience
ing number of visitors to the area. na in the large fields past the golf course. Elaine is a familiar face and worked with Today, the upkeep is overseen by us before going to sit further exams in the Estate Manager and local man equine world and has extensive knowledge Peter Bancroft and who is carefuland amazing teaching abilities. ly nurturing another younger local man, Stuart Macgregor through In the Courtyard we welcome Mr Gavin his education to become head Price who has taken over the running of greenkeeper. Stuart attends colthe Bar and Restaurant with local lad Ross lege in Cupar and works on the Menzies as the Manager next door to Hengolf course and estate the rest of ry and Marion Murdoch in the shop and the time and between them the delicatessen and between them they strive course has not looked better. Stuart has a to give great service for visitors and locals love for the game and that reflects in the alike. pride he takes in keeping the course beauGavin joined the team at the right time as tifully manicured. we launch into a weddings and events venue with the regeneration of our old Byre Bistro premises into a party space and a huge marquee lawn established. We can seat up to 200 guests whilst accommodating the same number in our various cottages over the estate.
Our beloved hobbit house at the hidden glade, Inchadney, also laid host to several alternative weddings last year where the very popular Highland Tipis erected a spectacular array for This year it is also the 25 those wishing a more eclectic anniversary of our golf course and to mark Mains of Taymouth are pioneers in the self wedding venue, truly magical but more for the occasion we will be holding various catering cottages business in Scotland the summer months. competitions run by our faithful and very beginning with three ex farm hands cotLastly, we were very proud to receive the successful golf club members. tages on either side of the landmark archrunners up prize of best self catering acway of the old farm steading. The idea of building the course was the commodation in Scotland and General dream of Robin and his father Duncan, Since then our letting business has grown Manager Pauline McLaren and Estate born out of their love of the game and the to 43 houses, the majority of which are Manager Peter Bancroft proudly received natural lie of the land. Hence the last of 5*and from a seasonal business to a very the accolade at the ceremony in Glasgow. the beef herd was sold and a second hand much all year round trade, in fact most are A good end to any year! JCB was purchased, two years later, in already booked for Christmas and New www.Taymouth.co.uk June 1992 the course was complete and year 2017, unprecedented for 11th of Robin and his father tee off, much to the January. Signs of a bumper year we hope. approval of the caravaners and the growAround the estate we are moving on to pastures new, pardon the pun. We are very happy to announce that the riding stables is now under the new management team of Kerry Orr and Elaine Jenkins and their team. Kerry has been with us since April and has totally refurbished the yard and facilities along with bringing in many new ponies and horses. Currently she is establishing a new outdoor are13
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Bespoke Highland Car Tours Barbara who were pleasantly surprised to come across HRH The Queen arriving at Balmoral and inspecting her guard for her holiday. Clients from Canada on a roots tour where I was able to locate the family graves in the Kirk at Fortingal as well as well as there original farms their forebears emigrated from. I received a wonderful thank you e.mail at Christmas for my detective work.
Here at Bespoke Highland Car Tours Pitlochry we welcomed clients from all over the world, ranging from American Senators to Chinese students. It was a pleasure showing them the delights of Highland Perthshire and beyond. As well as new clients it was great to see returning visitors.
I had a lot of clients from the USA where the main topic of conversation was the Presidential Elections which I think they were all ism Partnership, Visit Scotland and Perth glad to escape from, and I look forward to and Kinross Council, this was held at Birfollow up discussions in 2017. nam Arts Dunkeld and was aimed at TourEarly 2017 I attended a seminar “China ism and Service Providers making them Ready” which was run by Perthshire Touraware of the expected influx of Chinese visitors in 2017. This was well attended and very informative. I have already had enquiries from the Chinese market for later this year. I hope 2017 is going to bee a great season for everyone, and if I can be of assistance to you don’t hesitate to contact mel.
I have had a mixture of requests for various bespoke tours, and in July had the honour of touring with the 96yr old RAF WW2 veteran Ian and his wife Mary from Norfolk, Ian served with the squadron that located the Bismarck. They both hope to return this year.
Ronnie Owens, Bespoke Highland Car Tours Pitlochry. Telephone 01796 473934 0r 07979412831 e.mail rowens55@rocketmail.com
In August saw returning clients Brenda and
Highland Safaris launches Spring Watch Dawn Patrol
What could be more magical than an early morning sunrise in the Scottish High-
lands...?!
your return.
New for 2017, now you can experience that magic up close and personal with a Spring Watch Dawn Patrol Safari from Highland Safaris.
In a decade where screen time dominates many of our daily lives, Highland Safaris is encouraging individuals to ditch the data and get back in touch with the natural world.
Starting bright and early at 6.30am, visitors will be met by one of the expert Kilted Safari Rangers and embark on a two-hour trip across the Perthshire Highlands to experience the most incredible of sunrises looking out on to the Scottish wilderness. A unique journey of discovery – visitors will have a glimpse into the beauty of early mornings in the Highlands, surrounded by wild and birdlife as the moors and glens come to life. The rangers will share stories about the history and heritage of the local area, accompanied by a tea and coffee on the hillside followed by a delicious Scottish breakfast in the Highland Safaris Café on 14
The brand-new Spring Watch Dawn Patrol is a time for people to enjoy the drama of the Highlands in the early morning – a true feast for all the senses.
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Schiehallion Hotel & Bar Refurbished 4 years ago it offers spacious en suite rooms with modern and fresh decor, the deluxe room on the first floor offers a bit of luxury it has a large bathroom with a bath and large shower. Included in the price of the room is a delicious breakfast, choose from the cold buffet which has a choice of cereals, fresh fruit, yoghurt and pastries before enjoying something cooked from our breakfast menu. The Schiehallion Hotel is a small modern 4* Inn with 11 rooms which can sleep up to 24 people.
The Schiehallion Hotel & Bar offers a bistro style dining, produce is locally sourced and cooked fresh to order. With a choice of eating in the bar area or our more private booths we can cater for all occassions. The bar is fully stocked with a fine range of spirits, beers, ales & wines. We offer a premium selection of Gins and pride ourselves on our knowledge of how these should be served, or why not relax with a freshly made cocktail. The bar is family and dog friendly.
Thyme at Errichel – Restaurant, prepared by Chef Patron Paul Newman & his team to showcase the best in Scottish products with flavours and influences from around the world. All our Pork & Beef is reared here on Errichel Farm using the highest welfare standards to produce healthy happy animals. We breed Rare Breed Shetland Cattle & Rare Breed Large Black Pork; both ideal for life on a hill farm. Restaurant Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday Evenings 6 – 9pm Chef / Patron Paul Newman has launched his Signature menu running alongside our We pride ourselves on rearing & sourcing Seasonal Set Menu. Featuring Paul’s inquality local ingredients which are then spired dishes using raw ingredients reared here on the family farm at Errichel. Private Dining and Event Dining is also offered; wither you are planning a small intimate dinner with close family and friends or a Fairy-tale Wedding. An Afternoon Tea with Cocktails with the ladies or a Wine and Food Pairing night we will look after all the details and you can relax and enjoy. For more details contact – Thyme at Errichel, Crieff Road, Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2EL Tel: 01887 820850 Email: fionasloan@errichel.co.uk 15
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‘All change’ at Food in the Park Fish and Chip & Pizza Restaurant offered alternative entertainment and the regular live music sessions from well known bands got everyone dancing! The good news is that it will all be back in 2017! There is already a fairly full line up of bands for the summer sessions on various weekends, starting from the end of May.
It has been ‘all change’ at Food in the Park Fish and Chip & Pizza Restaurant and Coffee House in Blair Atholl in 2016! To welcome the summer season in with a bang Food in the Park decided to put on
There was great feedback from our locals, returning visitors and new customers and all agreed that it was the perfect addition to Food in the Park – what better to way to enjoy your Fish Supper on a warm summer’s evening than with a cold beer (or whatever your tipple!) and some awesome live music (and if it’s not such a great summer’s evening you’ve got the shelter of a 20 metre marquee!). Food in the Park’s ‘new’ Manager for the 2016 season, Steve, was a great team member and will be back in 2017! Also returning for another season (his 3rd!) will be Yordan, who will return from Bulgaria with his family in March. Yordan’s wife will also be joining the team and these 3 will form the core of their staff for the season.
some live music events in a marquee in their garden coupled with an outside bar! This new venture was initially planned to be running for just two weeks, but such was the success of this fortnight of great music and dancing in July that there was widespread call for the live music sessions to continue up to the end of August! The marquee was decorated with fairy lightadorned stag antlers, there were straw bales for seating creating a laid back, country feel, a large bar served the punters and even included a cocktail bar, a pool table
Obviously they will be welcoming back all their part time staff too, so there will be lots of familiar faces behind the counters and customers will enjoy continuity of the same high standard of service that they have come to expect at Food in the Park. The Cafe at Food in the Park will continue to enjoy delicious cakes from Cafe Calluna in Pitlochry and all the usual other suppliers will be on board throughout the take away and restaurant to make sure of the best and freshest produce to serve. The huge OS map of The Cairngorm National Park adorning the wall in the cafe has been a great success, with some customers returning to make use of the feature and even using it as a great back drop for their selfies!
Atholl today – as can our local famous sports stars! Opening times for the Take Away, Restaurant and Cafe will be 11am – 8pm most nights during the season, but will extend to 11am – 11pm or later on the nights that there is Live Music. ‘Like’ the Food in the Park Facebook page
to receive up to the minute details on opening times and events. The usual number on which to place an order is 01796 481484 so you can preorder your meal and pick it up later in the day or night. Bookings can also be taken on this number to enable you to reserve seats in our restaurant if you have a large party – and don’t forget, with extra seating in the Marquee Food in the Park can cater for really big groups now as long as you warn them you’re coming!
REMEMBER! There is a HUGE car park, facilities to eat in or sit outside in one of the two alfresco areas with views of the river and mountains, or sit in the cosy Marquee . Of course, you can always take – away too. The ‘memories’ wall is filling up There is a large garden area when the Marand contains more historic photos quee is not erected (March – May and also of days gone by in Blair Atholl... in October) ideal for kids to run around in some faces on these photos are and work up an appetite! from when the Museum next door Food in the park is open 11am until 8pm was still a school and they can still be seen running around Blair (later on music nights) Tel: 01796 481484 16
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Thyme to Eat – Off Site Wedding and Event Catering ‘Your special occasion – your way’ Thyme at Errichel Restaurant offer a truly bespoke wedding service. With menus and drink choices tailored especially for you to ensure your day is as special as you have imagined. We also offer a bespoke menu planning service to ensure your Wedding Reception or Event is as individual as you. Our Chef / Patron Paul Newman has an enviable culinary background having lead Chef Teams within some of the most prestigious hospitality destinations in the world. Paul brings his wealth of knowledge to beautiful Highland Perthshire. You can enjoy the best of Thyme in your own chosen location. Wither a Highland Perthshire Castle or a hill side retreat we can bring Thyme to you. For more details contact – Thyme to Eat, Crieff Road, Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2EL Tel: 01887 820850 Email: fionasloan@errichel.co.uk
Victoria's Restaurant — Pitlochry Victoria’s Restaurant is open and ready to welcome you following our annual winter break. Whilst the team have been enjoying some well-earned rest we’ve been freshening up the décor and planning the year ahead with great anticipation for another busy season!
loyalty over this time. It was a wonderful celebration and milestone for us and we’re looking forward to the next 20 years. Hope to see you all soon! Fiona & Angus John MacLellan.
The core team both front of house and in the kitchen remains the same as usual and there have been a few new additions from around the globe. dine here you know you’ll have an enjoyable As you know, we pride ourselves on the time, both you and your guests. welcoming service and consistently excellent dining experience we offer at Victoria’s We'll be giving our menu a tweak here and and this year will be no different. When you there to make use of the wonderful new local suppliers that we have sourced and Malwina is continuing to create delicious morsels for our home baking display with gluten free options available too. 2016 was Victoria’s 20th year in business and wholeheartedly we cannot thank you enough for your custom and
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News from Blair Atholl Bike Hire. and Pizza Restaurant for your return – well you earned it, burning off all those calories on your bike ride!
Moving into its 5th season, Blair Atholl Bike Hire is busier than ever catering for the adventurous and active! So many people have been able to experience cycling on some of the very best cycle routes in Scotland!
to offer a great range of kids’ bikes and kids accessories following a successful family orientated 2016.
Blair Atholl Bike Hire hires out mountain bikes and hybrids for half days (9am – 1pm) or full days (9am – 6pm) with no limit on how many days you hire them for. Ideal for those staying in the caravan parks and self catering cottages. Blair Atholl Bike Hire is in the centre of Blair Atholl, in the new Gateway Centre, next to
Blair Atholl Bike Hire provide maps and guidance on routes for all levels of Blair Atholl Bike Hire are preparing for ancyclist, whether it be a other busy season with their great range of family who want an enjoyTREK and Saracen mountain bikes availaable days cycling in the ble with frame sizes to suit everyone. They hills or an experienced off also have hybrid bikes for the easier ground road cyclist looking for and most of their bikes can be fitted with a some challenges. baby seat, tag-along or trailer so the whole All safety, spares and family can go along. security equipment is For 2017 Blair Atholl Bike Hire will continue provided with your bike for a safe and fun experience. One of the things that sets Blair Atholl Bike Hire apart from other bike hire providers is that they are located within Food in the Park Restaurant and Café, so you can order a packed lunch to take with you if you fancy lunch in the glens, or you can pre book your lunch or evening meal in their cosy sit-in or take away Fish & Chip
the Museum, the Information centre and Food in the Park Fish and Chip and Pizza Restaurant, with plenty of free parking. For further details on Blair Atholl Bike Hire visit http://www.blairathollbikehire.co.uk or call 01796 481500 anytime! Blair Atholl Bike Hire, Museum Car park, Blair Atholl, Perthshire, PH18 5SP
Overseas and Domestic Tourism Expenditure in Scotland In current prices (not adjusted for inflation) overseas expenditure has risen by around 40% since 2005, to £1.7bn in 2015. In constant (2015) prices this is an increase of around 16%. Since 2005 domestic expenditure has risen by 9% in current prices to £3.3bn, this represents a 10% fall in constant prices. Since 2009, expenditure has risen by 28% in current prices and 17% in constant prices. The total combined expenditure in Scotland in 2015 was up 18% in current prices to £5.0bn and down 2% in constant prices compared to 2005. Since 2009, expenditure has risen by 27% in current prices and 16% in constant prices. From http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Tourism
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Taymouth Marina Restaurant Dinner tends to be more relaxed with guests enjoying their meal whilst watching the sun set with a bottle of wine. The menu reflects our desire to keep everything local by only using Scottish suppliers.
Where did 2016 go! The year seems to have flown by and here we are getting ready for the new season.
Javen’s favourite word is consistency and this is something that Chef and Lindsay are proud to provide. Food and service at Taymouth Marina Restaurant is consistently high and for the second year running we have received a certificate of excellence from Trip Advisor last year and hope to
We have a website and Facebook page that are updated regularly with our current menus and events.
This will be our fourth year and the business is still growing despite the challenging times that we are all facing. Located on the shore of Loch Tay right beside the Scottish Crannog Centre we arguably have the best view in Highland Perthshire and possibly even the whole of Scotland!
Table reservations can be made online or by calling us on 01887 830450. Javen, Lindsay and the rest of the team look forward to welcoming you to Taymouth Marina Restaurant throughout the year.
On a warm sunny day where could be better than the terrace at Taymouth Marina to build on that success. enjoy a delicious meal or a drink from our bar. We even serve Stewart Tower Dairy ice The team this year is essentially the same with David still our Head Chef and Lindsay still managing the front of house. Lindsay has been joined by Sarah as her right hand woman which has been a great support. Sarah has always lived locally and has lots of stories about growing up in such a stunning environment! Chef has been joined this season by Roy as our new Sous Chef and we all welcome him to our team.
cream from our adjoining gift shop, there is something for everyone! Our menu has been designed to appeal to all tastes and appetites. Lunch can range
pumping!
As always Javen is still here, this year he will be calling on his previous skills as a chef and helping Chef in the kitchen along with being front of house with Lindsay and Sarah at the weekend. With such a beautiful location we are fast becoming a wedding venue and the feedback we received from the weddings since we opened has been entirely positive. With the use of a marquee on the lawn area adjacent to the restaurant we can comfortably cater for up to 150 guests for a sit down meal.
The Taymouth Marina development has grown substantially over the past year with another 7 houses being built. We now have The Hot Box on site as well which is open to the general public. The Hot Box is a wood burning sauna with a view up Loch Tay from a bowl of soup or Chef’s very popular towards Ben Lawers, for the brave guests Cullen Skink, to stone baked pizzas, freshly after your sauna you can take a dip into the made sandwiches or a main course meal. Loch to cool off. It certainly gets the blood 19
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Why are your business e-mail signatures important? Web It’s not what you say, but how you say it that counts - those words ring true especially in your emails. When you correspond with people via email, they not only get to read your words, but they get to see more information about you and your company through your email signature. So how does your email signature can help your marketing efforts?
depending on your brand - for example is your hotel ranked #1 in TripAdvisor? Or did your hotel win an award? - if so then you need to tell people.
Your email signature is your “silent” salesperson, it tells the world:
The average email signature is between 4-7 lines. Make sure you don’t go over that length.
Who you are (Name)
What brand you represent (Company Name & Logo)
Add marketing messages as appropriate – “#1 on TripAdvisor”, “Celebrating our 10th year”, etc.
What your role is within the company (Job Title)
Include a disclaimer about your correspondence.
How to contact you directly (Phone, Email, Postal Address)
Where they can learn more about you and your services (website URL)
Remember that if you redesign your website, make sure your email signature is updated too.
What sets you apart from your competitors (Tagline)
So while you don’t want your signature file to be too long, you might want to add new marketing messages from time to time,
ty of clients from all over the United Kingdom, and overseas.
We design clean, user and search engine friendly web sites that help your product Email Signature Suggestions find it’s place in today’s global market – our full portfolio is available on our website Create a standard signature for your team – www.websmartmedia.co.uk, Tel 01796 470 avoid sending mixed marketing messages 558, Email marius@websmartmedia.co.uk to your audience.
It can also invite recipients to follow your business on social media and read your blog.
Smart Media
Say “goodbye” to this missed marketing opportunity and don't underestimate the importance of your “silent” salesperson. Make sure your email signature is up to date and relevant. If you need help with designing or redesigning your website, driving traffic to it or engaging your audience? Contact us! Web Smart Media are based in Pitlochry and we're lucky enough to work with a varie-
HIGHLAND ODYSSEY I am Allan Stewart , an experienced Tour Guide and Driver who has lived in this part of the Highlands for 15 years and has known it much longer. I enjoy hillwalking , skiing , local history and world cinema .
Tour Examples ———`Road to the Isles` - Garry Bridge , bonny Loch Tummel via the Queens View , pristine Loch ——- Rannoch , remote Rannoch Station by Rannoch Moor , South Loch Rannoch including the Black. ——— Wood of Rannoch, Schiehallion – the Fairy Mountain and return to Pitlochry .
Highland Perthshire is a treasure trove of beautiful scenery – hills and glens , lochs and rivers , characterful villages , historic sites – all this and wildlife as well – it has it all . I am fully insured and I offer :
Guided Tours for up to 7 people in a comfortable VW Minibus . Personalised Service with itineraries tailor-made to the clients needs .
Hotel and Guest House pick-ups and drop-offs . Tours from half a day ( 4 hours ) to whatever suits the customer . Short or longer guided walks can be included in the tours if required . 20
Or further afield ———— `Royal Deeside` - Glenshee , Braemar , Linn o` Dee , Balmoral , Ballater and return to Pitlochry . HIGHLAND ODYSSEYGUARANTEES YOU A UNIQUE TIME OUT IN THE HIGHLANDS Tel: 01796 474404 or M: 07837714561 www.highland-odyssey.co.uk allanpitlochry@tiscali.co.uk
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Our 2nd year at the Loft Restaurant – Blair Atholl. It is a exactly a year since we took over the Loft Restaurant, many of our concerns in running our own business have been answered and we are delighted by the response of everyone who has come and eaten at the Loft. Thank you all very much.
menu last year, so are keeping the same, except for the addition of a couple of new items. Our Chef’s Specials were a big attraction last year and hope they continue to be this year. A lot of people particularly enjoyed the exotic game and fish specials, such as Sword fish, Marlin, Mahi Mahi, New Zealand Green Shell Muscles. Who comes to the Loft?
you want and we will do our very best to meet your requirements. Year Round Open Details:Main Season - Open Friday 24th March to mid-November (closed last 2 weeks of November) Xmas Parties – open 1st December through to Xmas and New Year (closed from 4th January to end of March).
Xmas Day Lunches – we will continue to We have a regular group of locals as well as serve lunches, these were very popular last a whole range of visitors literally from all year. over the world – it has amazed us how people have found about the Loft RestauOpen Hours:rant. Open 12noon to 3pm and 5pm to 8.30pm. What do we provide?
Open Days:-
We are a small family run restaurant.
• March to May – 5 days (closed Mondays and Tuesday)
Everything is freshly made on the premises and we use local suppliers whenever possible.
•
June – 6 days (closed Mondays)
•
July and August – open 7 days.
• September and October 6 days (closed Mondays)
We offer lite lunches as well as dishes from the full menu, open 12noon to 3pm. (We do not do fine dining). Evening meals from 5pm to 8.30pm Languages - One of our front of house team, speaks five languages, Italian, Spanfrom the full menu. (We do not do ish, French, German and English, so if you fine dining). have any guests who would like speak in Kids are welcome and have their their own language and have a great meal, own menu. this is the place for them. We have an alcohol license.
Menu. We had such a terrific response to our
We look forward to welcoming you to the Loft Restaurant, in Blair Atholl, located behind the Tilt Hotel on the way to Pitlochry Golf right.
Parties, groups and events We cater for everyone, whether you are coach trip, or having a group or Staff Party please get in touch and lets us know what
Our two Facebook pages We use our two facebooks to enthuse about the area and all it has to offer. We have found that our short videos of the area are a great hit. One being viewed by over 1.4million times. 21
Adrian and Nicoletta. Tel:-01796 481377.
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Drummonds of Pitlochry 2017 is our 18th year having opened on Highland Games Day 1999.
sense of the word, with members of the family working at the front of house and in the kitchen. We take great care in ensuring everything we do is done to the very best of our ability.
We are proud to say all our food is sourced locally using the local butcher, it is basic good old home cooking without all the frills and fancy twirls of modern restaurants.
great value High Teas — two courses for £12 and three courses £14, Kids menu £5.50 has fresh chicken and fresh fish (not frozen) — we also offer Gluten free meals. Please remember we take cash and cheques only (no credit or debit cards). The kid’s meals are freshly prepared and cooked to order, also they can have half portions off the main adults menu too, if they would prefer.
Our outside seating, is well away from the smoker’s area, is popular with visitors during the warmer days and also those who want their dogs by their side.
Affordable meals - We continue to offer of
Drummonds is a family resturant in every
Opening hours - 10am to 11pm all year round, (Kitchen closes 10pm in summer, Winter closes 6pm, we will stay open later for prior bookings). Find us - under the railway arch, just passed Pitlochry War Memorial Gardens.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre Summer Season 2017 Plays 26th May to 14th October 2017
21st June to 811th October 2017
8th June to 12th October 2017
High Society
Mary Rose
People
Music & Lyrics by Cole Porter Book by Arthur Kopit
By J.M. Barrie
By Alan Bennett
When the young Mary Rose climbs an apple tree and announces her plans to marry, the news is greeted by her doting parents first with unbridled joy - then, strangely, with furrowed brows . . .
With a bath on the billiard table and a garden resembling a jungle, aristocrat (and former model) Dorothy Stacpoole faces a desperate situation. The decaying family pile is close to ruin. And with the coffers all but empty, Dorothy must now choose between auctioning off the historic contents or handing everything over to the National Trust.
For the socialites of New England, it will be the Wedding of the Year: seven hundred guests, magnums of Veuve Clicquot and the beautiful, sophisticated Tracy Lord as the bride-to-be. And the groom? According to the invitations, that honour goes to self-made man, George Kittredge. And even if George is, well, not quite from the top drawer - and a little dull - his upright character perfectly matches Tracy’s reputation as a paragon of virtue.
For Mr and Mrs Morland now feel dutybound to tell Simon, their jovial future sonin-law, about a mysterious incident in their daughter’s past about which they have never spoken . . . not even to Mary Rose herself.
Bennett’s hilariously entertaining and strangely moving play about heritage and home opened at the National Theatre in When she was a young girl, Mary Rose and London in 2012. Sharing the same theatriBut then on the eve of the nuptials, Mike her parents holidayed on a tiny island in the cal DNA as PFT’s acclaimed production of Connor, a down-at-heel reporter from one of Outer Hebrides. And, one day, Mary Rose The Lady In The Van, the Scottish première New York’s scandal sheets, turns up to cov- disappeared. Without trace. of People will be eagerly awaited by Bennett er the wedding. And this rugged ‘man of the fans everywhere! J.M. Barrie’s eerie supernatural drama of people’ is immediately smitten with the youth, love and loss, written in the afterdivine Miss Lord... Please note that this play contains occamath of the Great War, was first staged in sional strong language, partial nudity and After our smash-hit production of Kiss Me, 1920 – and a young Alfred Hitchcock was some sexual content. Kate in 2010, PFT returns to the genius of one of the many who fell under its spell. So Cole Porter with a large cast, a fabulous if you enjoyed our recent productions of The 15th June to 12th October 2017 swing band and some great songs Admirable Crichton and Dear Brutus, then Absurd Person Singular (including True Love, Let’s Misbehave, Well, this mysterious, deeply moving play, which Did You Evah! and Who Wants To Be A Milfeatured in PFT’s first ever Season in 1951, By Alan Ayckbourn lionaire?) for the Scottish première of this is not to be missed! Three ill-matched couples. Three different witty, sparkling, high energy musical! 22
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kitchens. Three horrendous Christmases... Early 1970s suburbia: the ambitious Sydney Hopcroft is hoping to secure backing for his new business from two guests he’s invited to his festive gathering: architect Geoffrey Jackson and old-school banker Ronald Brewster-Wright. But the pressure of the situation proves a little too much for Sydney’s put-upon wife, Jane, as she attempts to keep the party sailing along upon a sea of gin and shiny formica worktops . . . An hilarious, wickedly observant comic masterpiece about ladder-climbing (social and otherwise) and power, Absurd Person Singular is one of the greatest plays of the last fifty years, by one of Britain’s - and PFT’s most popular playwrights. 20th July to m 14th October 2017
The Ruling Class By Peter Barnes The aristocracy: backbone of Britain, pillar of Church and State, the living embodiment
of tradition. And purveyors of certain eccen- 24th August 2017 to 13th October 2017 tricities. Some stranger than others... When the 13th Earl of Gurney dies in somewhat embarrassing circumstances, the title is inherited by his son, Jack – to the horror of the rest of the family. Why? Well, Jack’s particular eccentricity is a little more extreme than most: he’s a paranoid schizophrenic who thinks he’s the Father, Son and Holy Ghost... One of the landmark plays of the 1960s, Peter Barnes’s classic cult comedy, influenced by everything from music hall to Ealing comedy, is a theatrical tour de force, combining feverish energy, ferocious humour, razor-sharp satire and genuine horror. The 1972 film earned Peter O’Toole an Oscar nomination, whilst James McAvoy starred in the acclaimed 2015 London revival. Do not miss this! Please note that this play contains occasional strong language and some adult content
Europe
By David Greig On the platform of a provincial railway station, in a border town somewhere in Europe, two refugees arrive: Sava and his daughter, Katia. They’ve been travelling forever. All they want to do is rest and find a place to begin again. But it won’t be here. Because the town is dying. The station itself is about to shut: trains from Vienna, Warsaw and Budapest hurtle along the tracks, but none will stop. Both stationmaster Fret and Adele, the porter, yearn to leave. But they, like the refugees, must just watch the trains flash by... This startlingly contemporary work by Scotland’s greatest living playwright is a fierce and compassionate drama about shifting borders, changing identities and globalisation. - Please note that this play contains frequent strong language .
A Brief Story of Balloch Park A Brief Story of Balloch Park a new Development of Luxury Lodges for Holiday, Downsizing and Retirement in Kenmore. As the Glaciers gorged out beautiful Loch Tay, they left behind rich deposits of glacial fill. The River Tay meandered through this valley and formed huge flood plains and raised river terraces. Balloch Park sits on one of these river terraces and was, through time, the NE entrance to Taymouth Castle. The Rustic Lodge (soon to be restored) was the gate house. Over the centuries the Lairds of Breadalbane built and added to Taymouth Castle, or Balloch Castle as it once was called. They were good custodians of their land and built the village of Kenmore at the apex of Loch Tay, forming the foundations of the community as it is today. Land uses have changed many times over the years on the upper Tay Valley and for centuries wild animals would graze of the rich dry land until more intensive farming began in the early 1800s. Around that time people discover the natural beauty of the area and choose to visit and reside and make more leisurely use the valley. In the 1920`s the remaining lands of Taymouth and its castle were sold and the Menzies family bought the lands of Mains of Taymouth on the north side of the river
“What a difference a year can make” and whose descendants still own the land. For many years the field of Balloch Park was sown with oats and barley producing rich harvests. In the 1950`s tree planting started on the adjacent Drummond Hill with commercial woodland and forestry became the main local industry. The forestry commission using their “crown rights” started to quarry the rich gravel deposits below Balloch Park to build the network of roads required to harvest the trees and gradually over the next 60 years the field was lowered to the levels it is today.
The sensitivity of the area was always at the forefront of the plans and comprehensive ecological and environmental studies were undertaken to ensure man can share the land in harmony with the wilds. Otters, red squirrels, ospreys and many other indigenous species surround Balloch Park. Restoration of the quarry finally began in 2015 with the completion of phase one as it is today. More specimen trees and shrubs are still to be planted to give the finishing touch.
Of course there were many hurdles on the way along the way not to mention water In 2012 the quarry finally become obsolete connections! However every day was a joy and the land owners were left with a disto work on Balloch Park. Workers appreciatused quarry blighting the landscape. At the ed the fantastic setting, watching the ossame time Rustic Lodge was acquired after preys fishing on the river, the stunning many years of neglect and a plan was views that change every second and the forged to combine the development of the peace and quiet ……………. quarry with the restoration of Rustic Lodge.
www. BallochPark.co.uk
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Introducing our sister site, Explore-India.net your guide and helper to ensure you get what you want from the journey. For key sights we will arrange an official, English speaking, guide.
We have seen a lot about India on TV over the last couple of years, those who follow Marigold Hotel, will have had a good insight in to what a fabulous and varied country it is.
India is a vast country with a huge amount to offer. Each state has its own history, culture and traditions and, very often, its own language.
Our first trip to India was in 1997, in 2017 we went for four and a half weeks, this time in the north and south of India.
The standard of accommodation is generally excellent with options varying from basic India is still not a main stream destination hotels and home-stays to five star luxury. for people from the west so it is a great place to visit without being with lots of other tourists.
What is staggering is the rate of change India is going through, it now offers hotels with world class standards right across the country, catering for absolutely everyone’s tastes and eating habits. India is a very affordable holiday and is particularly inexpensive when you venture outside the western tourist hot spots.
The best time to holiday in India is between November and February, ideal for everyone One thing all options have in common is who runs a tourism business here in Scotland. great value for money. Your pound goes a long way in India! Our family first went to India in the late 1750s, every generation since has had a connection with India, we are no different. James Rattray
You will also find, where ever you go, a very friendly welcome with people genuinely pleased that you are visiting their country. Communication is not a problem either, as English is very widely spoken and is, in fact, one of the country’s official languages.
Our tours are arranged by our sister company Viktorianz.com and our UK team have first hand experience of India and the tour options available and are available to discuss options with you. For much more information including videos, itineraries, suggestions and advice visit our website: www.Explore-India.net and www.Viktorianz.com Follow us on Facebook: Viktorianz Bespoke Indian Travels YouTube: Explore India - Viktorianz Holiday Tours
Introducing our sister site, Explore-India.net, which provides information on India and tailor made Indian holidays. My brother Hugh is working with a team of Indian friends who have specialising in the Indian Tourism market. We have used them to arrange our trips and we have absolutely no hesitation in recommending them to you.
We can provide a full package to meet your needs including all transport and accommodation.
They offer a wide range of tours to your own itinerary and schedule, ranging from history and culture through to wildlife, wellness, shopping and even beach holidays.
For road journeys we provide a modern car with a driver who will also be 24
If you would like to speak to Hugh Rattray direct, Tel 01633 413585 or hugh.rattray@viktorianz.com