Tag Archives for " activity breaks "

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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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National Stress Awareness Month – Top Tips to Cope with Stress

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

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Valentine Gifts at Gartmore House

Valentine’s Gift Vouchers

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

A Valentine’s Winter Deal

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
 
 

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Top 5 Scottish Wild Foods

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

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Detox at Gartmore – The Perfect Blue Monday Cure

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.