AROUND AND ABOUT THE BLUESTONE CHURCH SCOTTISH HOLIDAY COTTAGE

If you are planning to do a bit of walking and exploring, please remember to bring appropriate clothing. Available, for your convenience, are ordnance survey maps, picnic chairs, blankets, rucksacks, hamper, flasks, walking sticks and binoculars so that you can easily go out and enjoy the great outdoors. There are lots of lovely walks right from the doorstep, with the Loch, river and mountains providing a splendid backdrop. Walking booklets available at the house, at the local shop and local hotels. There are signboards in the village showing the various routes. Worth heading for the higher ground too, explore the old village and get the best vantage points. For the more serious hill walker, Ben Vorlich is on the south side of the Loch - so you can bag a local 'Munroe' too.

There are three good hotels with bars, and restaurants, in the village with excellent lunch and dinner menus. Let them know you are visitors to The Old Church - we are sure that they will look after you, and make you feel most welcome. You might like to try a visit to The Glenturret Distillery (The Home of The Famous Grouse). It is situated a few miles outside Crieff. (St Fillans side). The tour is a great experience and you round it off with a bit of whisky tasking. They have a lovely silver service restaurant, with wonderful menus and great ambience. There is also a very pleasant self-service dining area. It would be well worth phoning them prior to your visit- they regularly have special events planned that you might want to enjoy.

Highland 4x4 Safari's operate from the shores of Loch Earn, opposite The Drummond Hotel, just 100 yards from The Old Church. The Safari's run throughout the year, with each season having it's own particular charm. Climb aboard the Safari Landrover and be transported deep into the rugged highlands, along tracks, through streams and over mountains, to areas that are otherwise all but inaccessible. Learn about the local history, marvel at the stunning views and look for wildlife in it's natural mountain habitat. The Safari's are informal educational and flexible - you decide how far you want to go and when and where you want to stop. www.highland4x4safari.co.uk -
contact Richard Steventon : Tel 07904 104006

Keep a look out for red deer in the hills and around the loch. Towards Autumn the males thrash the velvet coating from their newly grown antlers, grow a large mane, and prepare for the onset of the rut which is triggered by the Autumn equinox, around the 26th September. The rut commences with groups of bachelor males seeking hinds. It is quite a magical experience to hear these magnificent creatures roar through the hills and glens. On a midnight and moonlit walk in December we saw two full grown stags drinking at the water's edge of the loch, quite a beautiful sight silhouetted against a bright and starry sky.

St Fillans Village Shop is ideally situated almost next door and would be a good starting point for all local knowledge. Let them know you are from The Old Church - they will give you good advice on most things. You can buy fishing licenses from the village shop. They also sell the most amazing Persian rugs at very good prices.
The Village Shop is open most days from 8.30pm. Closed all day Wednesday and on Sunday afternoons.

For Banks, Chemists, Doctors, Butchers and a general store visit Comrie, a pretty little village about 6 miles to the east. For larger shops and supermarkets visit the town of Crieff - home of The Famous Grouse at Glenturret Distillery and the Stewart Crystal outlet. The town of Callander to the west is a lovely drive and has a good selection of shops.

Just a short walk away, and with views overlooking the Loch are :- The Drummond Hotel, The Achray House Hotel, and The Four Seasons Hotel, where you can enjoy a range of different menus from light snacks/bar meals and full restaurant facilities.

Please note that the Hotels are usually only open Thursday through Sunday in the winter months. At Lochearnhead there are two other Hotels/Restaurants - The Lochearnhead Hotel, and The Clachan Cottage Hotel.

A mobile bank visits the village twice a week - it will stay parked-up for about 20 minutes in the car-park adjacent to the St Fillans Village Shop.
Please ask at the shop to verify arrival times - usually :-
Mondays at approximately 1.30 p.m.
Thursdays at approximately 10.15 a.m.

For suggestions on where to eat out, we have left a house book at The Old Church that gives phone numbers etc. of a number of good restaurants etc. You might want to know that the closest Fish & Chip shop is in Comrie - about 6 miles away.