April is National Stress Awareness Month which impacts all of us. We all experience feelings of stress and anxiety, be those feelings mild or intense. Knowing that this is normal is a great starting point. Here are our top 10 tips to deal with stress. Continue reading
Spring is upon us and it is time to turn down the fire, get back outside and embrace new adventures. Here are 10 reasons why we love spring.
1. Longer Days
With daylight savings, there’s plenty of opportunity to enjoy evening walks or even a coffee outdoors, for an essential fix of vitamin D.
2. Exercise is easier
It can be very easy to make excuses, even though we know the benefits of leading an active lifestyle. Winter can often feel too cold and dark. Outdoor activities become far more pleasant and the lighter nights and mornings make it easier to leave the house.
3. Skin
Dry skin can be a nightmare for many over the winter months, caused by wind and low temperatures. Spring is the opportunity to get the glow back.
4. Time to get social
Bye bye winter hibernation with hot drinks and Netflix, Spring is a time for us to get back outside and socialise.
5. Fresh ingredients
Hello to a new array of wonderful dishes, such as asparagus, strawberries, fresh herbs and lamb. Happy cooking.
6. Goodbye winter bugs
Hopefully by now most of those nasty bugs are long gone and it’s time to embrace new exciting adventures away from the sofa.
7. Spring Break
Spring is a great time of year to take a break. Have a look at our spring break offer. Enjoy a bottle of Prosecco on arrival, accommodation, 3-course dinner and full Scottish breakfast for just £85 per room per night (based on two adults sharing).
8. Spring Clean
A good spring clean offers a number of benefits, both mental and physical. A good clear out helps us to clear out the cobwebs both literally and figuratively. Open the windows to let in some fresh air, play your favourite songs and declutter.
9. Blossom on the trees
As we watch pretty pink and white flowers burst into bloom, Spring is a season to be around nature, trees and plantlife.
10. Hobbies
Spring is a great opportunity to set new goals and pick up a new hobbie such as running, gardening or crafting.
Read our top 10 walks around Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. A fantastic place to go walking and exploring all year round.
Starting from Loch Achray follow forestry tracks to reach the hill path which follows Glen Riabhach up onto the shoulder of Ben Venue. If time and weather permits you can go up to the summit before dropping down Ledard Glen to reach Kinlochard. (6 miles & 2000’ of ascent).
Starting at Inversnaid, make your way along shared mountain bike paths and roads to Trossachs pier, taking care on the steep rough path that makes up the first section of this route. At just less than 18 miles long, expect this route to take around eight hours to complete so be sure to dress accordingly and take plenty of provisions for the journey.
There’s plenty to see on The Aber Trail which starts at Millennium Hall and ends at Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve. From alder and ash trees to buzzards, wood warblers and tree pipits, this is a wonderful route for nature-lovers.
With a fairly smooth terrain and little navigation required, Ben Lomond is one of the easiest Munros – in fact, it’s so popular with walkers that it’s one of Scotland’s most-climbed hills, second to Ben Nevis. If you’re looking for a more peaceful stroll, there are several alternative routes to try which are less populated, such as the Ptarmigan route which offers a fine descent.
Explore Aberfoyle to Brig o’ Turk, via the Menteith Hills. Depending on the weather, you can go over the hills themselves or follow the lower level route below them. (Up to 9 miles & 2000’ of ascent – depending on exact route taken).
If you want a good weeks worth of walking around Loch Lomond, then the Rob Roy Way is for you. Starting from Drymen close to the south east corner of Loch Lomond, this Scottish Great Trail can be either 77 or 94 miles dependent on the route option along Loch Tay. You’ll be met with truly breath-taking scenic views along the way.
This gentle walk offers a wonderful taste of the beautiful landscape around Killin including woodlands, Loch Tay and the towering Tarmachan Ridge.
This secnic route starts from Graham’s Point Heritage Park and follows forest paths and roads before it becomes a faint path onto the open hill.
The route starts from north Ancaster square, Callander. Turn right into Main Street and then left at traffic lghts into Bridge Street. Just before the bridge follow the path to the right into the Meadows car park and continue beside the River Teith. Join the surfaced path and walk south along the river bank with views of Ben Ledi to the west.
A great mid-level walk just north of Callander through varied woodland to the Bracklinn bridge with views over the Bracklin Falls and gorge below. The path crosses back over the Keltie Water at a wide pool known as Scout Pool and returns to the car park by a minor road.
There you have it. This is just a small snapshot of the many stunning walks that The Trossachs has to offer. Why not book one of our guided walking breaks at Gartmore House and come and explore the area.
Please ensure when walking or hiking in the Scottish countryside you are prepared and respect the land around you. Find out more about staying safe in the park.
They say that true happiness is made from experiences and moments over material things. With Valentine’s Day upon us, why not treat a loved one to an activity break gift voucher at Gartmore House? Located in the stunning Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Gartmore is a quirky estate offering a range of popular activity breaks. Guests can choose from options such as crafting, painting, singing breaks and foraging for the foodie.
Activity breaks at Gartmore are designed for guests to escape from the fast paced life. A break at Gartmore includes delicious home cooked food and a large roaring fire looking out over breath-taking Scottish views. A perfect location to embrace a new passion or learn a new skill. Gartmore House is an 18th century country house with views that stretch 25 miles across to Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument.
For further information and to purchase gift vouchers at Gartmore House visit www.www.gartmoreestate.com
If you fancy a wee Valentine’s weekend away with your loved one why not book our Winter Deal. You will enjoy a bottle of Prosecco in your room on arrival, accommodation with stunning views over The Trossachs, a 3-course dinner to tantalise your taste buds and full Scottish breakfast the next morning – all for just £89 per room per night.
Book online today or call the team on 01877 382 991
Happy Inspire Your Heart With Art Day! We love art here at Gartmore House, and offer a range of art breaks to get those creative juices flowing. From watercolour painting holidays to felting courses , we have it covered.
Inspire Your Heart With Art Day is an opportunity to reflect on how art is good for the soul. Art has many benefits for our mental well-being.
Art can move us to tears, or laughter and it can transport us to magical places. Art has the power to inspire us and it is a very healthy activity to take part in to encourage mindfulness. The statistics show us that taking time to relax and get creative, away from our screens, is fantastic for our mental health.
Art teaches us to generate a love for learning and creativity, it helps to support our brain development. Art is also fantastic for our problem-solving skills and is thought to improve our emotional intelligence. We would love to hear from you – what is your favourite type of art? Do you have a favourite artist?
Why not treat yourself to one of our creative activity breaks at Gartmore House?
To make a booking call us on 01877 382991 or email mail@gartmorehouse.com
Burns Day is a special and significant event here at Gartmore House. Since our quirky, atmospheric house was built by William Adam in 1793, it has hosted many a national treasure. One of those being Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns, who has written and entertained in our lounge. It is thrilling to know that Gartmore is a place that inspired some of his fantastic work.
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and lyricist who is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland. Burns day is a fantastic Scottish celebration, which often includes a supper of Haggis. For those of you still to try this Scottish delight, Haggis is a type of sausage prepared in a sheep’s stomach that is minced with onion, oatmeal, suet (raw beef or lamb fat), spices, and salt, mixed with stock. Often this is served with turnips and potatoes, otherwise known as neeps and tatties if you’re a true Scot. The haggis is typically piped in by the diners with a standing slow clap before the recital of Robert Burns Famous prayer:
Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat
Sae let the Lord be thankit.
As an accompaniment to the burns supper celebration, Scotch whiskey is the ideal drink. For dessert many will delve into the traditional cranachan (a mixture of whipped cream, whisky, honey and fresh raspberries, with toasted oatmeal). The evening will likely feature speeches and further poetry recitals.
Scotland is a country full of history, excellent food and breath-taking scenery. Why not come and visit us and spend some time relaxing in the lounge where Robert Burns worked and entertained. We look forward to welcoming you soon and sharing more Scottish history with you.
Find out more about Gartmore House.
Scotland is full of wonderful wild foods and at Gartmore Estate we love to get our hands on these rich pickings of Scottish foraging. Our local wild foods are some of the finest and most natural ingredients here in Scotland. Continue reading
Blue Monday, the third Monday in January, is almost upon us. This specific Monday has been awarded the depressing title due to a combination of post-Christmas blues, cold dark nights and the arrival of unpaid credit card bills.
January can be a hard time for us all. Over indulgence means that there is pressure to cut back and live a clean lifestyle. Then there is the task list to catch up on, after a hectic December. Which is why at Gartmore House we offer a January Detox retreat.
This is the perfect opportunity to give your body and mind a well earned break and set it on the right path towards a healthy and happy 2018. Eliminating toxins, eating healthily and taking time to be mindful will all contribute towards a happier state of mental wellness. You’ll regain a natural glow, develop increased confidence in yourself and be inspired to embed the changes once you get home.
With breath-taking Scottish scenery and relaxing surroundings with a roaring open fire, we can help to ensure your Monday is bright, not blue.
A typical day on retreat will include:
• Guided meditation in the morning, followed by a gentle yoga class suitable for all levels
• Interactive discussions on emotional overeating, intuitive eating and sustainable weight loss
• How to eat more healthily to boost your happiness and energy levels
• Learning how to improve your relationship with yourself through self-care
• Finding that elusive work-life balance
• Additional yoga and/or meditation sessions before bed
Find out more about our January detox breaks.
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park has some of the most scenic views in Scotland and is a fantastic place for photography. Here are our top 10 photos:
The following three images were taken by Trossachs Reflections. We adore the colours, tones and atmosphere they have magically captured through the lens.
1. Last light.
This stunning image is looking North and was taken at Loch Lomond looking towards Ben Lomond.
2. Picnic with a view.
Picnic with a view was taken from the shores of Inchcailloch. It makes us want to pack up a hamper and head there now.
3. Eye to the highlands.
This stunning shot was taken from the summit of Inchcailloch. We feel it perfectly captures the calming nature of Scotland’s most beautiful national park.
For more magical photos of The Trossachs, check out this wonderful Instagram page.
Micha Stanbridge from Creative Sides Photography has a passion for the outdoors. He loves to be at one in the wilderness, snapping lovely images and videos. We love the following three photos of The Trossachs he has captured so beautifully.
4. Moody Day.
Micah has captured the mood of the clouds perfectly as he climbed Ben Venue. A mountain small in stature but of real character. We love seeing the sky darken by the minute across the loch.
5. Mountain Gazing.
The colours in this image represent what Scotland is all about. We are instantly relaxed just looking at this shot.
6. Highlands in miniature.
The Trossachs are often referred to as the Highlands in miniature. This shot captures the real beauty of the region with it’s richly forested lochs and spectacular colours and tones.
For more shots by Micah, including images of The Trossachs and Scottish wildlife click here.
James Galloway is a student and snap happy lover of the outdoors of Bonnie Scotland. We love his passion for Scotland and these two photos of The Trossachs he has captured.
7. Sitting by the Loch.
We love this calming photo of the Trossachs. There is nothing like sitting by a Scottish loch for a wellness injection.
8. Seasons changing.
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is simply stunning as Autumn approaches and the colours begin to change. We adore how James has captured the subtle orange tones, which go perfectly with Scottish blue skies.
For more beautiful photos of The Trossachs and Bonnie Scotland, check out the James Galloway Instagram page.
Diane Maxwell believes that all the greatest adventures lie ahead. We have to agree. Check out her inspiring feed on Instagram.
9. At the top.
Diane shot this photo from the top of Ben Lawers, looking down onto Loch Tay with Beinn Ghlas, another Munro also in the view. We can feel the satisfaction on her face as she took this shot, cherishing an adventure on the mountain.
For more inspiration from Diane, click here.
10. Gartmore Estate
Ewan Barry, our photography tutor captured this image whilst exploring our estate and building up reference shots for his photography holidays at Gartmore House.
The Trossachs National park is the perfect place to bring the camera. Please feel free to share some of your favourite photos of The Trossachs below.
For further information and to book a photography break at Gartmore House, contact the team:
T: 01877 382 991 | E: mail@gartmorehouse.com
Happy International Mountain Day.
There is no doubt that being out on a beautiful mountain, getting some exercise and appreciating a great view gives us both a physical and mental boost.
Walking is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of exercising, and an effective way of managing weight. Regular brisk walking will improve performance of our vital organs, as well as lower blood pressure. Walking, especially out on a mountain, is thought to be fantastic for our wellbeing, as well as helping us concentrate and improving both sleep quality and creativity.
At Gartmore House we are spoilt for choice with our mountain walking options. Scotland is criss-crossed with a huge number of hill tracks, some created fairly recently while others have been used over the centuries by successive generations. The Trossachs is no exception. Why not join us for a walking holiday at Gartmore?
Our walking activity breaks are dog friendly. Come and get your mountain fix with us.
To find out more click here or call us on 01877 382991
Email: mail@gartmorehouse.com