Email
Letter Steading, Loch Katrine enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
Other places to stay in and around
Callander
A
warm welcome to our Loch Katrine accommodation - a delightful self-catering
cottage in the heart of the glorious Trossachs National Park, with private
fishing, fabulous walking and a chance to experience the wildlife of the
area.
Our single-storey detached accommodation was last
year sympathetically renovated from the original bothy cottages of Letter
Farm.
Situated on the private road of Loch Katrine on the north shore just
over three miles from the Trossachs Pier where the SS Sir Walter Scott
and the Lady of the Lake make frequent sailings in the summer season.
The self-catering cottage is ideally located for those of you seeking
tranquility, and from the rear garden you can enjoy breathtaking views
and sunsets o'er the loch and Ben Lomond.
Letter Steading, Loch Katrine Accommodation
Extremely comfortable and well furnished, it sleeps 4/5 people and has a large open aspect with lovely views from the rear to the far off hills. As well as the two bedrooms, one twin and one double, a lovely shower-room with underfloor heating and a good sized shower, a well equipped kitchen area with dishwasher, electric hob and oven, fridge/freezer and a microwave.
All the rooms are furnished to a high spec, with good quality towels and bed linen provided and included in the cost - as is the electricity and wood for the stove. If required we can provide another small bed suitable for a child if your party is of five people. There is a small extra charge for this service.
Adjacent to the kitchen there is a warm, cosy sitting area with a wood burning stove, with Sky TV, a DVD player and stereo - there's a supply of CD's, DVD's, books, jigsaw puzzles and games to keep the children (and adults!) occupied on gloomier days. We also have a slate based antique pool table nearby to while away a rainy day.
We have a washing machine available and outside drying space.
We have tried hard to make the cottage friendly for wheelchair users - all of the doorways are extra wide, light switches easily reached, and the shower is fitted with disabled handrails, and rails by the toilet.
New this year!!....Gordon has built a lovely decking area which will take advantage of these spectacular views, with a firepit for when there's a chill in the air. He has also been busy erecting a "hide" for us and our guests to use at the far side of the rear garden, with decking inside for a table and chairs (we're calling it the Wendy House but it's actually quite big...)
Inside is a chiminiere to keep you cosy, and the smoke is wonderful for helping keep the midges away!
From the rear windows of the cottage you can see across to the far hills, and from the open aspect of picnic area/garden at the back the views of the loch will inspire and astound you. We have landscaped a major area to the back of the Steading so the view is open to the fields beyond.
There is a path which leads to the "Wendy House" where you can watch the spectacular view of the sun setting over the loch. To the front of the property there is a gravelled areas with a table and chairs which is particularly lovely in the evenings as it gets the last few rays of the sun! The new decking area has comfortable reclining chairs and a large table for alfresco dining; there is a gas barbeque on the deck.
Waken to the sound of honking geese flying o'er the water or the gentle lowing of the highland cattle. Fall asleep to the sound of a passing owl or the water rushing by in the burn; or in late autumn the sound of the deer rutting in the distance.
Wonderful views from here and you can barbeque inside as well. Our first guests have used both and particularly love the 'Wendy House' - a few beers, the chiminiere burning well and the view!
On arrival you will find a small welcome pack - with a few teabags, some
coffee and sugar, milk, butter, a homemade loaf of bread, a small pot
of jam or honey and some eggs from our chickens. We also provide a toilet
roll/kitchen roll/some clingfilm and foil, a few dishwasher tablets, cleaning
equipment and washing up liquid.
We are pleased to announce we have just received our 4 star rating
from VisitScotland!
Arrival and Departure - all weekly holidays start and finish on a Saturday. Tenancies commence at 16:00hrs on the first day and terminate at 1200 latest on the day of departure. Upon departure we ask you please to leave everything in a clean and tidy condition, as you would wish to find it!
Shorter breaks can be arranged out of high season subject to availability.
Dinning
We are 12 miles or so from Callander where there is a good selection of
shops and restaurants. We recommend The Old Bank for a good lunch of soup
and sandwiches, and they have a delicious array of puddings (apricot and
almond meringue is our favourite).
Also Poppies Hotel has an amazing restaurant and a very friendly welcome. Then there's Ciro's - a friendly Italian restaurant.
Additional Facilities
· cot and highchair available
· electric radiators
· dishwasher, oven, hob, microwave oven,fridge/freezer
· telephone for incoming calls
· barbeque and outside seating
· welcome hot meal by arrangement
· order with Asda and we will pack your shopping away for your
arrival
Child Policy
Children are Welcome
A cot, highchair and baby bath is available - please let us know if they
are required and we will set them up for you prior to your arrival.
Pet Policy
. Pets are only accepted on the understanding they are kept under strict
control around the premises - there are cats nearby!
. Dogs are not permitted in the bedrooms or on the furniture and they
should not be left in the property unsupervised.
. Please ensure your pet's flea/tic treatment is up to date.
Smoking Policy
Letter Steading is a non-smoking cottage - it is a strict requirement
that you only smoke outside of the property.
Transportation Facilities
· Private Car Space
· Bike Shed Available
· Cycle Hire Nearby
· Private Parking
Activities
Letter Steading accommodation is well located in a prime location as a
base to explore the wonderful countryside of the Queen Elizabeth Forest
Park and all that the Trossachs National Park has to offer - be it walking,
cycling, hill climbing or just driving around to visit the many historical
sights around the area.
Our cottage is in an ideal situation to enjoy the walks in the area, and to take your wheels out on the loch road. In summer months why not take your bike down to the pier, book it on the SS Sir Walter Scott and take the boat trip up to Stronachlacher - then cycle the 9 miles or so back home?
If you can't bring your own bikes up here there is a facility at Trossachs pier to rent them out. During the winter months there are sailings on the Lady of the Lake at weekends only to take in the sparkling magic of Loch Katrine with glimpses of snow on the hills from November/December onwards.
Enjoy our special fishing rights on Loch Katrine - take one of our boats out in season and fish for trout, pike or atlantic char. We have a couple of fishing rods if you just want to have a try and Gordon is more than willing to give you a quick lesson.
For fishing equipment, bait and a wealth of local information on fishing in other waters do visit James Baynes website - the shop is in nearby Callander or you will be able to online shop soon. Our families this year have enjoyed a trip up to the "top road" which takes you far, far up above Loch Katrine with the most amazing views.
We drive you up in the back of the 4 x 4 truck (the kids love the bumpy ride!) and the choice is yours to either walk back down one of the tracks or hitch a lift back home.
This is Rob Roy Macgregor country! Six miles down the loch road is Glengyle, where Rob Roy Macgregor was born, with many of his relatives buried in two graveyards in the vicinity. Rob Roy himself was buried in Balquhidder, along with his wife and two of his sons.
Not far from the cottage is the Dukes Pass which takes you into Aberfoyle village. En route take your car on the Three Lochs Forest Drive, open from April to September weather permitting and enjoy a picnic at one of the designated areas. Out of season it is still possible to walk or cycle the route.
At the David Marshall Lodge, visit and watch the ospreys nesting, or if you're feeling energetic what about Go Ape - set in stunning scenery fly 150 feet along the zip wire some 90 feet above a waterfall.
Nearby Aberfoyle is a village that has become quite famous for its two festivals - T4 Great Outdoor festival in the spring, and in autumn, the very popular Mushroom Festival. In high season you can see and handle birds of prey from World of Wings outside the Woollen Mill (or go to Cumbernauld for the full experience including 4 x 4 off-road driving and archery, amongst other things).
There is the Trossachs Discovery Centre and Tourist Information Centre in the main street, full of exciting ideas of things to do and places to visit. From Aberfoyle head up towards Loch Ard and Kinlochard......
On Loch Ard (about half an hour's drive away) we are happy to offer two adult passes FREE for use at the swimming pool at the Forest Hills Hotel, Monday to Friday. Extra adult or children's passes can be bought for a nominal charge, as can passes to use the Technogym.
Enjoy the pool, sauna and steam room with the passes - or why not treat yourself with the ultimate in excellence and indulgence and have a facial, massage or one of the many delicious treatments available at the relaxing and blissful spa?
Maybe lunch or afternoon tea in the bar area of the main hotel or at Rafters Bar and bistro in the Spa area?
Go Country at the Forest Hills Watersports Centre on Loch Ard covers all kinds of outdoor activities on land and loch, and after expelling all that energy why not visit Shona at the Wee Blether Tearoom at Kinlochard for a much-needed cup of tea and a piece of homemade cake, or a lovely bowl of hot soup?
Visit Inchmahome Priory on the Lake of Menteith, an Augustinian monastery built in 1238 on a small island reached by boat. Follow that with a lovely lunch at the Lake of Menteith hotel - either in the conservatory (bookings recommended) or in the lakeside bar, and watch the fishermen land their trout.
Just down the road is Nick Nairn's Cookery School - pre-book a class and enjoy a day cooking (and eating!). There is also a shop selling good quality cookware and ingredients.
In the evening visit our local pub in Brig o' Turk, The Byre Inn, for good food in relaxing surroundings (bookings recommended). Lunch is also excellent - ale battered fish and chips is particularly good! You can always be sure of a friendly welcome here.
Doune Castle is about 40 minutes drive away - parts of Monty Python and the Holy Grail were filmed there. Five minutes down the road visit the Argaty Red Kite Centre - central Scotland's only red kite feeding station.
Dunblane Cathedral dates back to the 12th Century.
Returning towards Callander, visit the Scottish Antique and Arts Centre
at Buchany, a unique shopping experience that will certainly while away
the time should the weather be against you.
For a day out with all the family visit Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park about 45 minutes away from Loch Katrine on the way to Stirling. In Stirling itself, of course, a visit to the Castle is a must. And the Wallace Monument, where you can follow the story of Sir William Wallace - martyr, patriot and Guardian of Scotland.
For golf courses, Callander's 18 hole golf course has been voted among the top 10 of golf courses for visitors alongside Gleneagles, Turnberry and St Andrews. Nearby Aberfoyle Golf Club is one of Scotland's most scenic and interesting golf courses with breathtaking views. We have an assorted array of golf clubs we can rent to you at a nominal fee - including a left handed set!
We are only an hour or so from Glasgow and Edinburgh, where there is a massive array of shops and restaurants and wonderful places to visit. This is just a sample of what there is to do and see in the area - we are sure there is something to suit all tastes.
DIRECTIONS
For those of you flying up to Scotland you can fly to either
Edinburgh or Glasgow. Both airports are approximately 1 hour 15 mins drive
to the cottage, although Edinburgh may be a slightly easier, more direct
drive.
Getting there from the Information Centre:
From Aberfoyle take the A821 Dukes Pass Road, pass Loch Achray Hotel then
take left turn signposted Loch Katrine and the SS Sir Walter Scott. Access
to Loch road is through a barrier with private code.
Getting There by Car:
From Glasgow airport M8, M80, M9 then A84 to Callander. A821 after Callander
signposted Aberfoyle. Loch Katrine approximately 7 miles from Callander.
From Edinburgh airport M9, then A84 to Callander. A821 as before.
Getting There by Railway:
From Dunblane approx 45 minutes drive, Stirling approx 1 hour.
Getting there by Aeroplane:
Either to Edinburgh (more direct route) or Glasgow.
Email Letter Steading, Loch Katrine enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
