May is often one of the prettiest months in Scotland – the days are lengthening, the foliage is fresh, and the landscape seems to burst into vibrant new colour. The weather this time of year is often balmy too, giving promising glimpses of the summer to come. So if you want a taste of Scotland at its best, try visiting in May, and make the most of its outdoor attractions while you are here.
Gardens: Avid gardeners like nothing better than wandering around other people’s gardens – and there are few better months than May for a garden trail. Whether you’re interested in small private grounds or the expansive lawns of stately homes, you’ll find listings of all gardens open to the public in Stirling or Perthshire at http://www.scotlandsgardens.org/. Even those normally closed to the public can be viewed by arrangement. Take a notebook and glean some ideas for your own back yard.
Shopping: For many, shopping is part of the holiday buzz, and in Stirling and Perthshire there’s no need to go indoors to satisfy the thirst for retail. Perth Farmers’ Market meets on the first Saturday of every month in King Edward Street and St John’s Place, Perth, while Stirling Farmers’ Market meets on the second Saturday of every month in Port Street, Stirling. Stallholders sell everything from locally reared meats to artisan breads, cheeses, organic vegetables and handcrafted gifts.
Segway riding in beautiful Blair Atholl
Guided touring: To see the most of Stirling or Perthshire during your stay, book yourself onto an outdoor guided tour. In Stirling, join Stirling Walking Tours on one of their acclaimed tours of Stirling’s historic Old Town, brought to life by actors in full period costume. If you fancy eating up the miles in Perthshire, get in touch with Segway Ecosse, based in Blair Atholl. You’ll get a full tutorial on segway riding, followed by an exciting, safe and professional guided tour of some of the area’s most stunning scenery, all aboard a rugged Segway X2.
Eating: If you’re hungry, but don’t really want to miss a minute of May’s clear skies, there can be few better places to dine than the Gallery Restaurant in Forth Valley College Campus. This hidden gem of a restaurant presents unrivalled panoramic views across Stirling, taking in the Wallace Monument, the River Forth, and beyond to the Ochils. The stunning venue is open for lunch and dinner daily, and is kind to your pocket too: it’s run by students at the college who are currently training to be world-class chefs. Definitely worth a stop on your holiday – even for the view alone: http://theplace.forthvalley.ac.uk/catering-dining/the-gallery
Craigvinean Pine Cone Shelter: Copyright Ronald Weir
Views: It’s no surprise that one of the best views in Stirlingshire is to be had from the top of the Wallace Monument, just a mile or so from the centre of Stirling. This monument to Scotland’s most famous patriot looks out from the crest of Abbey Craig, and offers stunning panoramas across to Stirling Castle, the winding Forth, and the city’s skyline. Don’t be put off if you feel you can’t make the climb – a shuttle can take you to the top from the Visitor Centre, and it’s all been recently refurbished too. If you’re in Perth, Pine Cone Point in Craigvinean offers the view of a lifetime cross the Tay to Dunkeld and to the mountains in the north, snugly sheltered by a beautifully carved wooden pine cone. Look out for red squirrels too. For this and more breathtaking Perthshire viewpoints, see http://www.perthshirebigtreecountry.co.uk/
Before the internet, and in the old days of ‘distance buying’ we’d pore over catalogues and choose a shirt or dress judging on how it looked on a model – buying ‘Sears-style’. Many of us still book holidays that way – making one of our biggest annual purchases based on a couple of pictures and a few hundred words of text in a holiday brochure. But the times are changing, and for the better. Thanks to ever-more accessible technology, even the would-be tourist can ‘try before they buy’. This week’s blog has a quick look at a few new ways that you can see your holiday in Stirling before you even get here.
Get a feel for the city: If you want to get a snapshot, a quick flavour of what Stirling looks and feels like, and whether it’s the right holiday destination for you, Destination Stirling’s YouTube video below will give you a whistle-stop tour of the city’s major landmarks, its shopping, and its food. Far more quickly than any guidebook, having a visual run-through like this can help shape your holiday itinerary, give you an idea of your ‘must-sees’ and is also invaluable in getting the kids excited too! Have a look now:
Check out the neighbourhood: To demonstrate this, meander through Stirling Castle, which has just been added to Google Street View. Google Street View is an invaluable resource if you want to have a nosey around your proposed holiday destination. This feature enables you to literally look around as if walking or driving through it. You might want to have a look around the immediate neighbourhood of your holiday home to get a feel for the locale, for example – perhaps take a look at King’s Park, where many of Stirling Self Catering’s Stirling-based properties are. Also, you can better plan days out by exploring the landmarks you hope to see on holiday, just like the Castle for instance. And don’t worry – you won’t spoil your visit by having a run-through – you’ll just save the time normally wasted looking slightly lost!
View your accommodation: If you’re choosing accommodation with Stirling Self Catering, you needn’t just rely on what we say about our properties, but (for many of them) you can take a virtual tour inside too. Particularly useful for those with young families or other specific needs, our interior videos will give you a more accurate feel for your holiday home than words and pictures could ever achieve. Haverstock, Kingsview, Castleview, Springwood, Redcarr Lodge, The Courtyard and Milton Hayloft all offer video tours. You can view them all here: https://www.stirlingselfcatering.co.uk//properties/
So now you can visit Stirling before you even get here. Enjoy your holiday planning and we’ll see you soon!
Cleaning – you either love it or loathe it. But one company in Stirling have not only have made cleaning their business – they’ve raised the bar on service standards and the personal touch. They are also the reason that Stirling Self Catering’s properties always look bright, beautiful, and spotlessly clean. Working seven days a week, no job too big or small, Conroy Cleaning are this week’s Local Hero.
John Conroy established the company in July 2013: ‘Having been a cleaner for 13 years, I decided I had the experience to start up for myself. I was lucky enough to get a few small jobs straight away because I knew a few clients in my target market looking for cleaning services. Mostly through word of mouth, business picked up pretty quickly, sometimes relying on the help of family on busier days – I owe a few favours!’ Since then, and with the help of his partner Murray Davidson, John has grown the company into a sought-after service provider with clients spanning Stirling, Falkirk, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The Company pride themselves on attention to detail
When asked about the most rewarding aspects of running the business, John is clear about his priorities: ‘Building a brand in my own name and becoming recognised as a reputable company throughout Stirling and surrounding areas. I’m proud of the reputation I’ve gained so far – in just 20 months’.
John describes his company as ‘friendly, hard-working and professional’ and these core values are borne out by the client testimonials on the company’s website. But in addition, the team at Conroy Cleaning are no strangers to a challenge, which include turning large properties around quickly and at short notice. John has many examples: ‘After a stressed call from a local property manager, we were asked to deep-clean one of Stirling’s largest self-catering holiday homes in time for guests arriving just days later. We provided an emergency clean and after three days, the property was ready for its guests and received a 5/5 review – a common occurrence now Conroy Cleaning are looking after it!’
In just 20 months, the Company has gained clients throughout central Scotland
At the other end of the spectrum, John and his team are happy to take care of the important little things that can make such a difference to clients: ‘After one client had to leave the country abruptly before Christmas to visit family, the Conroy Cleaning team put up their Christmas decorations for their arrival back on Christmas day – we got a big box of chocolates that year!’
And some unusual properties can bring a little adventure to the working week: ‘We once cleaned a mobile home in Elie, located on Scotland’s west coast. You couldn’t ask for a more stunning location to work in, and just a short drive from Anstruther, where we found award-winning fish and chips – and a battered pickle!’
Friendly, hardworking and professional – John (right) and partner Murray (left)
So it’s not only the results that clients come back for – it’s the company’s warmth and can-do attitude. ‘Conroy Cleaning are fully flexible to our clients’ needs, even when last-minute changes are made. We’re very well organised, and on occasion have been told we are “a well -oiled machine”. Most of all, our clients appreciate our very high standards, competitive prices and a friendly face!’
Cheekily, we asked John how clean his house was? ‘Just come in and check … but don’t dare make a mess!’
Easter is often one of the brightest and happiest breaks in the holiday calendar, with new blooms, lambs in the fields, and the first coat-free walks of the year. Scotland is at its fresh and sparkling best around this time. To help you get the most of your Easter break, we’ve collected some brilliant family friendly events in Stirling, Perthshire and Edinburgh for you to scribble in your diaries. Happy Easter!
Cadbury Easter Egg Trail: Cadbury and The National Trust for Scotland have again joined forces to offer some of the biggest organised Easter egg hunts in the nation. To find an Easter egg hunt at a participating National Trust Property near you, just type your postcode into the trailfinder here: https://www.eastereggtrail.com/
Scone Palace has a packed Easter weekend
Easter Weekend at Scone Palace: There is a packed schedule for Sunday at majestic Scone Palace in Perthshire, with various egg hunts and trails, and a pirate theme! Join notorious pirates ‘Slim Jim McConquendale’ and ‘Cut-Throat Pete’ who have an old treasure map and a vague idea of where they buried a treasure chest of gold. However it’s been 300 long years since they were last at Scone Palace and they are looking to recruit some new pirates to help them find this treasure chest – ‘be you able’ they ask… For full details, see: http://scone-palace.co.uk/whats-on
Learn how to be a court jester at Stirling Castle
April Tomfoolery at Stirling Castle: For a new twist on an ancient Easter tradition, head to Stirling castle for merriment, mirth and tomfoolery with the court jesters on 4 and 5 April. Children can learn the tricks of the jester’s trade as well as dancing, magic, and Games in the Gardens. This event is included in the normal Castle admission price. For full details see: http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/
Easter Egg Steam Trains: Everyone loves the romance of steam trains, and it gets even better when the trip includes chocolate. Boness and Kinneil’s annual Easter trains are becoming ever more popular – enjoy a ride on a steam train and a visit from the conductor bearing Easter eggs. Children wearing Easter bonnets have the chance to win a prize, and there are Easter egg hunts in the museum too. For tickets and schedule, see: http://www.bkrailway.co.uk/your-visit/events/
Hunt for golden Easter bunnies in the Botanics, Edinburgh
Golden Bunny Hunt Edinburgh: If you fancy going further afield for a day, then you could celebrate Easter by hunting Lindt chocolate bunnies in the stunning surroundings of Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens. There’s no need to book – just pick up a trail map when you arrive, and enjoy the scenery with the promise of chocolate thrown in. For full details, see: http://www.rbge.org.uk/
Looking picturesque in recent snow flurries, The Old Bridge Inn, Bridge of Allan
Tucked between Bridge of Allan’s Railway Station and the tumbling Allan Water is a 300-year-old building that has been around since the town’s earliest days. Now under the management of three good friends, the historic Old Bridge Inn is currently enjoying a new lease of life with an inspired menu and a bar that boasts both cask ales and a range of hand-picked whiskies.
Simon and Laura Kerr are front of house, and Christopher Peck is Head Chef. Their paths crossed at Gleneagles, where each of them had management roles, and where friendship soon fuelled ambitions for a place of their own. In early 2014, the team took on the Old Bridge Inn, which had been run as a restaurant for some ten years.
Laura explains what it was like to take on such an iconic building: ‘To us, it looks and feels fantastic and we were hard pushed to change any part of it when we took over. It is one of these buildings where you can feel the history. We even have a massive bell – a fair few tonnes of iron – screwed into our ceiling. It was rescued from a church in Glasgow and makes some noise! In hindsight we should really have called the business “The Bell.”’
The bar: comfortable, warm, and welcoming
And their first year is going well? ‘Business is growing nicely. We now have many regulars, especially for dining – Christopher does a fantastic job in the kitchen, and all we hear is his praise. Sometimes, after he has chatted to a customer, he will create something off-menu and come up with a dish or a set menu for them – that brings people back. Our bar business is growing more and more too: we are still looking to expand bar trade during the week, but it’s definitely getting there. We’re seeing a lots of new faces as well as our regulars. Some come for a chat, which we always are happy to supply. Others come because they’re happy to be able to bring their dogs. Some come to play board games and spend the evening in the bar.’ And what’s the bar like? ‘Comfortable, warm, and welcoming!’
Has all your hard work been rewarding so far? ‘We envisioned an old pub feel, with great food and great service. I think we feel that it is what we thought it would be, with an emphasis on dining now, as we try to build our bar trade further. The most rewarding thing is having a real quality product: all of our ingredients are fresh and homemade and from local suppliers only – Christopher decided they were best! Simon and I also run a cask ale pub in Tillicoultry, The Woolpack Inn, so we brought real ales with us, and they have gone down a treat. Simon’s whisky expansion has also proved popular and he’s in the process of sourcing an exclusive and unique malt for The Old Bridge Inn!’
Head Chef Christopher Peck combines countryside cooking with a French twist
Where does the Old Bridge Inn’s food inspiration come from? ‘Traditional British countryside cooking, with a French twist. We have a quite a few game items on our menu like venison and we always do another Game of the Day (today it’s pheasant). It has been well received, and Christopher likes doing traditional items as well as dishes a bit out of the ordinary!’
What makes you most proud about what you’ve achieved so far? ‘We’re proud that most of our business has come from word of mouth – it’s not only the best advertising, but a massive compliment – and that we now have a good set of regulars that are happy and keep returning! This is a place where we would definitely be regulars if we weren’t running it.’
