Category Archives for "News"

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Come Dancing and enjoy lots of health benefits!

Want to learn to waltz like they do on Strictly? Instead of just admiring the dancers on the telly, why not join them! Studies show that dancing is so good for you. Here are some of the benefits (in case you needed reminding why all those Strictly contestants look so happy and fit!).

1. Dancing can help you lose weight – you can burn around 400 calories an hour!
2. Dancing improves the condition of your heart and lungs.
3. Dancing increases muscular tone and strength
4. Dancing reduces stress and can significantly improve your mood.
5. Dancing helps you with your coordination and agility.
6. Plus, you’re bound to make lots of new friends!

Come to Gartmore House and take your first steps in learning to dance on a couples dancing weekend (if you don’t have a dance partner, don’t worry – you don’t need one to attend!). All levels welcome. All you need is a pair of dance shoes and a willingness to give it a go!  Your dance tutor is the lovely Teresa Mcclymont from Dance Time Scotland – she will take you through the steps to learn ballroom dancing, swing, country and modern Jive.Stay in a historic house in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, with accommodation and full board included. Have a look at https://bit.ly/dancingweekends for dates and more info on courses or give us a call on 01877 382 991.

Keep dancing!

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FAQs about your stay with us at Gartmore House

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Example Craft & Activity Course Itinerary – what you can expect each day

There is so much that goes on during an activity holiday at Gartmore House. We have put together an example activity holiday schedule, so you know what to expect when you arrive and over the next few days of your residential course.
Sunday/Day 1
16:00 Arrive and settle in. Tea and coffee available with a selection of home baking. You could use your free time to go for a walk along one of the area’s scenic routes, or take a wander up to Gartmore village, where there is a handy community-owned shop and friendly pub.
18:00 Welcome talk in the lounge. A member of our friendly team will give you a brief welcome talk. This is also an opportunity to get to know your tutor and other guests on your activity holiday.
18:30 Dinner time! Our fabulous chefs will make you a scrumptious 3 course dinner to start your week on a high. There is a set menu every day which offers 3 options for you to choose from. Example dinner mains include: Roast Loin of Pork, Pan-fried Fillet of Salmon or Sweet Potato and Chick Pea Curry. Please note: we will always cater to any dietary requirements we have been made aware of in advance.
21:00 Tea/coffee in lounge. Enjoy some down-time in the lounge, before the next busy day ahead.
Monday/Day 2
08:30 Breakfast. Get your day off to the best start with our wholesome cooked Scottish breakfast, made by our chefs using local produce.
10:00 Course begins (course will run until 4pm). Now the fun starts! You will get cracking on your projects for the week under the guidance of our expert tutors. For example on the Felting Holiday, previous guests have made hats, mittens or boots.
11:00 Tea/coffee break. Enjoy a little break with some tea/coffee and home baking.
13:00 Lunch. Enjoy a delicious homemade 2 course lunch and take a well-deserved break from the morning’s activities. An example lunch time menu is soup and a baked potato with filling.
15:30 Tea/coffee break. Time for an afternoon tea/coffee break, with some delicious home baking.
18:30 Dinner. Another freshly made 3 course dinner will be served. Further dinner menu examples include Tomato & Mozzarella Salad with balsamic glaze, Braised Beef and Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert.
21:00 Tea/coffee in the lounge. A chance to chat and reflect on the day’s events.
Tuesday/Day 3
08:30 Breakfast. Another freshly made, traditional Scottish breakfast.
10:00 Course begins (course will run until 4pm). Another day to work on and progress with your projects. On a Photography Holiday for example, previous breaks have taken a trip to Loch Katrine to capture landscapes and water movement.
11:00 Tea/coffee break. Take a short break from your projects, and relax with a tea/coffee and cake.
13:00 Lunch. Another 2 course lunch will be served. An example of lunches includes soup and sandwiches.
15:00 Tea/coffee break. Time for some afternoon tea along with a selection of cakes.
18:30 Dinner. Our dinner menus vary daily, however another sample menu that you may be of your choice is: Trio of Melon Salad, Vegetable Kiev and Eton Mess.
21:00 Tea/coffee in the lounge before bed.
 
 
Wednesday/Day 4
08:30 Breakfast.
10:00 Course begins. A further opportunity to progress on you projects. On a Watercolour Painting Holiday for example, you may work on your paintings in the studio or outdoors, weather permitting.
10:45 Tea/coffee break. Enjoy your morning tea/coffee break with another one of our chef’s mouth-watering cakes/tray bakes.
12:30 Lunch. An earlier lunch today as you will get the opportunity to go on a day trip later on.
13:30 Day trip. As you’ve been hard at work all week, we offer a complimentary day trip to either go and visit the Woollen Mill in Aberfoyle, or take a cruise on Loch Katrine.
15:30 Tea/coffee break. Return from your day trip to some light cakes and a tea or coffee.
18:30 Dinner. Once again, you will get to make 3 choices from our set menu of the day. More examples include: Breaded Brie Wedges, Breaded Haddock Fillet & Fresh Fruit Salad.
21:00 Tea/coffee in the lounge.
Thursday/Day 5
08:30 Breakfast. Once again a delicious full cooked Scottish breakfast.
10:00 Course begins (course will run until 4pm).  This is your final day to work on your projects with the help of your tutor. On previous Knitting & Crochet Holidays, for example, guests have worked on a range of different knitting/crochet including: Tunisian crochet, brioche knitting, Aran Cables knitting or sock knitting.
11:00 Tea/coffee break. Again, with some home baking.
13:00 Lunch. Another 2 course lunch for you to enjoy.
15:30 Tea/coffee break. Your final afternoon tea break.
19:00 Dinner. A celebratory dinner will take place on the final night in our Cayzer room. This is a great opportunity to reflect on your week with your fellow guests. This will be followed by some entertainment in the lounge. We often have Scottish folk singer Gary Spiers come along, so make sure you’re in good voice if you want to join in!
21:00 Tea/coffee in the lounge.
 
 
Friday/Day 6
08:30 Breakfast. A traditional Scottish breakfast to finish your week.
10:00 Departure. We offer a complimentary drop off service back to Stirling train station on the day of departure.
Please note: For weekend breaks the courses will run from 4pm on Friday, until 4pm on Sunday.
To enquire about any of our courses or to book, please visit our website gartmorehouse.com or give us a call on 01877 382991.

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Happy National Thread The Needle Day

Today is National Thread The Needle Day which is the perfect excuse to get out the sewing machine.  Although today is a day for sewing and those who enjoy the craft, it also has another meaning. The term “threading the needle” generally means to find a path through two opposing views. Therefore, you can train your skill on Threading the Needle Day to find harmony and balance.
At Gartmore House, we believe that taking time out, in beautiful and relaxing surroundings, allows us to get our balance back.  Here are some reasons why we think sewing and ‘threading the needle’ is a fantastic hobby to enjoy.
Sewing is a great form of relaxation and mindfulness
Sometimes it’s important to switch off and spend some time doing something with your hands.  We all need a little time away from our screens and to do list.  Crafting with our hands is extremely therapeutic.
Sewing is uplifting
The bright and beautiful colours chosen for sewing items  such as blankets and quilts can have an uplifting effect.  This contributes towards feelings of happiness and confidence and provides a wonderful opportunity for sharing and socialising.
Sewing is not as hard as it looks
At Gartmore House we offer a number of sewing activity breaks and get to watch our guests progress from beginners to advanced.  With a little patience, anyone can sew, it’s just a case of learning the basics and then practising.
Sewing patterns is fun and good for our brain
The process of sewing patterns together is really good for our brain co-ordination.  They are also wonderful to look at and it is so satisfying to see progress.  Here at Gartmore, Gill, our professional sewing tutor looks after our guests during their sewing activity breaks and will teach you everything you need to know about sewing patterns and getting the right fit.
To book a sewing break at Gartmore House
Complete the online enquiry form
Call us on 01877 382 991
Email: mail@gartmorehouse.com

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National Park Week – Why we love Loch Lomond and The Trossachs

This week marks the beginning of National Parks Week.  This is National Parks family’s annual celebration of everything that is unique and wonderful about our 15 National Parks across the UK.  Here in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park we are spoilt for choice in terms of stunning Scottish scenery.
There are many things to do in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, which is a hot pick destination for both tourists and Scottish locals from the likes of Glasgow and Edinburgh in pursuit of beautiful nature and outdoor activities. Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park was Scotland’s first national park, designated in 2002. Loch Lomond is the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain by surface area, and the park contains 21 Munros, otherwise known as Scottish mountains, two forest parks, 22 lochs, and over 50 designated special nature conservation sites that are home to a variety of wildlife.
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is a stunning spot to visit all year round.  If you love water related activities, campsites, and boat cruises, then Summer is a fantastic time to come.  The most popular time to visit is between April and October as there is warmer weather, longer daylight hours, and more attractions are open.
However, the national park is also magical in the winter and if you are seeking peace and tranquillity then this could be the perfect time to come.  We love to see the snow-covered landscape in the winter and of course, it is extremely comforting sitting by our open fire in Gartmore House and looking out over the views.
Wherever you spend this week, we hope you enjoy some wonderful views.
 
 

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Why we love crafting

Crafting is something we are passionate about at Gartmore House.  Crafting comes in so many shapes and sizes. Some of our favourites here are knitting, sewing, felting, painting and lace-making.
Crafting offers many benefits.  Some of us enjoy the full focus concentration when we are learning something new or doing something tricky or messy.  This is a perfect opportunity to practise mindfulness.  There is also a lot of social crafting activites – such as knitting.  Here at Gartmore, we love bringing people together.
There are loads of fun crafting activites that you can do in the comfort of your home, perhaps to unwind over the weekend.  This can be perfect for all the family, why not get the kids involved in a mini project such as a smaller version of the work you are doing?
Crafting also gives us a sense of pride and achievement, and it is also a wonderful opportunity to make personal, handmade gifts for people.  In such a fast paced world, a handmade gift is a really special treat.  We can all take the easy way out and buy a gift card or a bottle of wine, but homemade gifts are extremely thoughtful and a one-of-a-kind present that friends and family are likely to treasure forever. Nothing beats an original gift you know no one else will have.
At Gartmore House, we offer a wide selection of arts and craft breaks, including Knitting and Crochet and Patchwork and Quilting.  Our activity breaks at Gartmore House are in a relaxed and comfortable setting. There is breath-taking scenery to enjoy looking out over The Trossachs National Park and cosy open fires to sit by.
For further information and to book view all our Craft Breaks.

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Happy World Music Day from Gartmore House

Music is something we love to embrace here at Gartmore House and World Music Day is a fantastic celebration of music in all of its forms and the impact it has on so many of us.

Here are 5 reasons why we love music:

 

A sense of achievement

Learning to dance (we love ballroom, jazz and Latin American) or play pieces of music on a new instrument can be a challenging, yet extremely rewarding goal to have.

Mental Health

Music is very relaxing which is great for our mental and emotional health.  Studies show that music helps to boost our self-esteem and is useful for coping with stress and anxiety.

Creative thinking

Music plays a great role in encouraging us to think creatively and solve problems by thinking outside the box.  It also inspires us and opens up our mind to new ideas.

Social

Music is a fantastic way to socialise with others as it allows us to relax and have fun.  Music also allows each generation their own voice as it is constantly changing and always evolving. Music has the capacity to teach us things about our values and others, other cultures, other periods of history.  It always adds something special to a party.

Mood Booster

If you are feeling low, there are many wonderful songs that can give you a boost. Music is the soundtrack of life. In fact, researches have showed that listening to music will make you more active and help improve your concentration and memory.
Why not book a singing or dancing weekend at Gartmore House and lose yourself in the music!

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Happy Festival of Learning Week from Gartmore House

Today marks the start of the Festival of Learning Week, which is a celebration of lifelong learning and an opportunity for everyone to get involved and have a go.  Whether you already have a passion to learn, are thinking about having a go at learning something new, or are involved in running learning activities, events and courses for others, you can be a part of the Festival of Learning.
There can be huge benefits to learning new things and it really is never too late – you may even find a new passion that really excites you or perhaps allows you to unwind.
Learning a new skill enables us to grow as a person and the process helps to develop our knowledge base.   Learning something new allows us access to new and different opportunities and they say life begins at the end of our comfort zone. Learning new things, no matter our age, is essential for staying up to date in an ever-changing world. If we stop learning things, we can stagnate and actually move backwards, in both our personal and professional lives.
At Gartmore House, we offer a number of exciting activity breaks, in stunning Scottish surroundings, which provide our guests with the chance to break their comfort zone and learn something new.  Learning a new skill is very important for our self-esteem. The process keeps our brain cells active and gives us feelings of pride and accomplishment.
Another thing we love about learning and setting new challenges  is the social aspect. Trying anything different – such as crafting, painting, music, photography and forms of movement such as walking up a mountain or cycling allows us to meet new people, some of whom will have similar interests and be interested in some of the same things.  We love to watch new friendships form, as our guests bond over learning a new skill.
Happy Festival of Learning Week from Gartmore House – what are you going to try out this week? If you are interested in booking an activity break at Gartmore House then you can complete the online enquiry form or call us on 01877 382 991
 
 
 

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National Sewing Machine Day

Today is National Sewing Machine Day and there are so many benefits to this fantastic creation. A sewing machine allows us to make our own clothes, to repair worn, torn or unused clothes and perhaps to re-design old clothing.  Who doesn’t love to be a fashion trend setter?  Sewing is also a fantastic way to unwind and escape from the frantic pace of life as we know it.
In 1790, the English inventor Thomas Saint invented the very first sewing machine design, but he did not successfully advertise or market his invention.  This first machine was designed to be used on leather and canvas material.
By the year 1900, over 20 million sewing machines a year were being produced from factories all over the world. It is true to say that no single invention was as eagerly accepted by people in all four corners of the planet as the humble sewing machine.
At Gartmore House, we love to give our guests an understanding of sewing machines, which includes how to put a needle in, how to thread it properly and sort the bobbin. You’ll also be able to sew straight lines and curves, explore all the stitches on the machine and a variety of patterns.  Our sewing retreats are highly therapeutic and enjoyable, especially once you get into a rhymn with the craft.  The stunning views out across the Trossachs and Loch Lomond National park are an added bonus.
The sewing machine is more efficient to use than stitching with bare hands. A piece of clothing can be created within a few minutes with the use of sewing machine while it will consume more hours if you do it with your hands.
Sewing is also a fantastic form of mindfulness, which is becoming more and more popular as a self-help and coping strategy. Being concentrated on one thing alone and experiencing it with all our senses is a fantastic way to de stress and get away from our screens.
If you are interested in booking a relaxing sewing or crafting retreat at Gartmore House then you can complete the online enquiry form or call us on 01877 382 991
National Sewing Machine Day!