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Easter family fun in Stirling

by ssc | Mar 27, 2019 | Blog

Easter. Scotland is bursting into bloom and the days are noticeably longer. It’s time for getting outdoors, and catching up with the kids now the school term has finished. To help you plan an Easter to remember, we’ve rounded up some of the best family events throughout Stirlingshire for you!

Steam trains and Easter treats at Boness & Kinneil

Enjoy an Easter egg hunt at historic Blackness Castle

Easter Egg Special Trains at Boness and Kinneil Railway

The railway’s hugely popular Easter Egg special trains run on Friday 19, Saturday 20, Sunday 21 April and Monday 22 April. There’s a prize for the best Easter bonnet, an Easter egg hunt in the Museum, and every child will get a free Easter treat during their train journey. Stay all day and explore the Museum, Model Railway and the railway site via the Visitor Trail at Bo’ness and the stations along the line. Bring a picnic and enjoy it in the comfort of the picnic railway carriages alongside the platform. For more information, see: https://www.bkrailway.co.uk/your-visit/events/

Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts with National Trust

Cadbury have teamed up with the National Trust for Scotland again this year to create Easter Egg Hunts in some of Scotland’s most historic settings. Chocolate and culture, combined! The nearest hunts to Stirling take place from Good Friday to Easter Monday at The Battle of Bannockburn Centre, Alloa Tower in Clackmannanshure, Culross Palace, Fife. Events are included in the normal admission price. Check your chosen venue’s Egg Hunt dates and other postcodes on the Cadbury website, where you’ll also find lots of free downloads for fun Easter activities at home: https://easter.cadbury.co.uk/

Easter Eggsplorer Trails with Historic Scotland

Not to be outdone, Historic Scotland’s Easter Eggsplorer Trails take place at a number of iconic castles, abbeys, forts and palaces throughout Scotland. All you need to do is find the clues and complete the challenge to be a winner. Drop-in throughout the day, and the events are included in normal admission. Free to members. The nearest participating venues to Stirling are Linlithgow Palace and Blackness Castle, from Good Friday to Easter Monday, but you can search for other venues here.

Holiday Clubs with Historic Environment Scotland

With events at both Holyrood Park and Linlithgow Palace Peel, the Ranger team are offering a number of Easter holiday ‘walks on the wild side’ to help kids discover the birdlife, minibeasts and burrowing animals of these historic natural venues. Lasting from two to three hours, these events are aimed at children of 8 upwards, accompanied by an adult. The sessions are free, but booking is essential. More information here.

Kids can learn about birdlife with the rangers at Holyrood and Linlithgow Palace

Outlander fans will enjoy the egg hunt at Culross Palace

Photo credits:

Culross Palace: By Palickap (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Boness and Kinneil: Thomas Nugent [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Blackness Castle: Dr John Wells [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)]

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Spring and Easter escapes to beautiful Stirling

by ssc | Jan 26, 2017 | Blog

The Christmas credit card bill is paid, the mornings are getting lighter, and the dawn chorus is back. That can only mean one thing – spring is coming! And here’s why to spend it in Stirling.

Relax this spring in Gladstone’s beautiful gardens

Celebrate spring with champagne in the hot tub at Oakside cottage

A city break in Stirling

A spring break is all about taking a moment out of life to make some fresh memories and get outside a bit more. Fancy a city break? Stay at one of our properties in the heart of the city. Take a peek at Gladstone, Pear Tree House, and the Courtyard, to enjoy a luxurious break that puts you right at the heart of things. Just minutes from King’s Park and a short stroll from the Castle, you’ll witness Stirling burst into bloom again after the colder months. We have properties in beautiful Bridge of Allan too, like Haverstock, Springwood and Allanwater. They are the perfect base to explore Bridge of Allan’s gardens and the University grounds set on the historic Airthrey Estate. There are many unique little shops and great dining tucked away in this former spa town, too.

A secluded break to enjoy nature

Perhaps you’d prefer to immerse yourself in a more rural setting away from the City. Our properties like LallyBroch, Oakside Cottage, Stronend Cottage or Balfron Hayloft will give you the seclusion and landscape you crave. Whether you want to escape as a couple, a family, or group, these properties offer stunning views, easy access to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, wood burning stoves, hot tubs and idyllic settings. Outlander fans may even want to use Lallybroch as their base for an film locations tour, too. Or, for young families, these properties are ideal for visits to the Balfron Woodland Experience, Blair Drummond Safari Park, which reopens on 18 March, and Briarlands Farm, which re-opens in mid-February.

Wherever you choose to stay, make sure you don’t miss out on these fabulous Spring and Easter events in Stirlingshire:

The Snowdrop Festival

Nothing promises that spring is coming quite like snowdrops. And every year, Scotland opens up many of its most beautiful gardens, so that the everyone can enjoy the season’s snowdrop displays. The Festival runs from 18 February to 12 March. You can find participating gardens here: http://www.scotlandsgardens.org/news/snowdrops-2017

Easter Egg hunts at historic buildings

Thinking of booking your spring break at Easter time? Cadbury have teamed up with the National Trust for Scotland again this year to create Easter Egg Hunts in some of Scotland’s most historic settings. Chocolate and culture, combined! Find an Easter Egg Hunt near you: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/?eventId=297608b0-3502-4fde-9195-a6cc00fa3d0c

Easter Egg Steam Trains

Boness and Kinneil’s annual Easter trains run on 14 and 15 April and are becoming ever more popular. Climb aboard, enjoy the short trip, and the conductor will arrive with a chocolate egg for every child. Children wearing Easter bonnets also have the chance to win a prize. And there are Easter egg hunts in the museum too. Book soon! For tickets and schedule, see: http://www.bkrailway.co.uk/your-visit/events/

Crannog Centre Easter Extravaganza

Help the Crannog Centre kick-start their 20th anniversary year by celebrating Easter Iron Age style on beautiful Loch Tay, Perthshire. Join their Pancake Eggstravaganza on Easter Sunday, 16 April from 10.30am to 4.30pm. You will cook pancakes over an open fire, bake bread in clay ovens, and churn your own butter to spread on them. Gather round the fire to learn about ancient crafts and ways of life from skilled Iron Age guides. Or just gaze into the flames. For more information, see: http://www.crannog.co.uk/

Nothing says spring like the Snowdrop Festival

The Crannog Centre, on stunning Loch Tay

Photo credits:

Crannog Centre on Loch Tay: By Dave Morris from Edinburgh, UK (Flickr.com – image description page) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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Remember, remember the best of November

by ssc | Nov 2, 2016 | Blog

Don’t miss November in the headlong rush toward Christmas – there’s so much to see and do in this crisp, clear month, from music and foodie festivals, to the very best winter markets.

Dougie MacLean’s Perthshire Amber Festival begins this weekend. Photo: Rob McDougall

Perth Chocolate Festival, 19 and 20 November

Perthshire Amber

For autumn music, head to Dunkeld this weekend. This four-day long music festival is enjoying its twelfth year in its Perthshire home. Developed by musician Dougie Maclean, the festival celebrates the music, history and culture of Perthshire and Scotland. Guests from home and abroad perform in an array of evocative venues, from village halls to castles and Dunkeld Cathedral too. The Royal Dunkeld Hotel becomes the ‘Amber Central’ – the main hub for the festivities. There are lots of events for all family members. There’s a decorated wheelbarrow parade and hugely successful free outdoor picnic on Sunday 6 November. And if you can’t make it, you can live-stream the evening concerts from their website too! For full details of all events and tickets, see: http://www.perthshireamber.com/

Perth Festival of Chocolate

Chocolate fans will want to take the short train ride to Perth again in mid-November. Celebrating ‘the delights of the cocoa bean’, Perth Festival of Chocolate is now in its fourth year. It takes place on 19 and 20 November in King Edward Street, Perth. Coinciding with Perth’s Christmas lights switch-on, the Festival attracts hundreds of visitors to the scenic city. The Festival comprises market stalls selling speciality chocolate, home-baked chocolate products, chocolate drinks, cocoa-based cosmetics and much more. Local restaurants showcase their own “chocolate dinners” and chocolate-themed specials and cocktails during the event. As well as chocolate, there will be hot street food, entertainment, tastings, children’s workshops, demonstrations and more. Details here: http://www.perthfestivalofchocolate.co.uk/

Edinburgh Craft Beer Revolution

For those who enjoy a craft beer, this is a new festival on the scene. Edinburgh Craft beer revolution showcases 13 breweries and over 60 different craft beers from across Scotland and the UK. It takes place on 24-26 November at Assembly Roxy in the capital city – again just a train hop from Stirling. Beers for all palates will be on tap, from pale ales to the hoppiest brews. And that’s not all – there will be craft gin and vodka, and a tip-top wine selection too. Music, masterclasses and hearty street food are sure to make this newcomer festival a big hit for grown-ups. And a cheering way to send off the last days of November, too. For tickets, directions and more information, see: http://www.revolutioncraftbeer.com/

Glasgow’s Continental Market

Not a strictly a festival, we know, but with all the right ingredients – food, fun, music and spectacle. When a trip to Germany’s famed Christmas markets is beyond your budget, take the short train ride to Glasgow instead. Scotland’s friendliest city is transformed into a winter market wonderland from 10 November. Markets are setting up at both St Enoch Square and at George Square, set beneath the Christmas lights. There will be live entertainment, fairground rides and other festive surprises. Stallholders from all over Europe present their very best festive wares, delicious hot food and drink, as well as craft beers. There’s even talk of a stallholder from Lapland – now who could that be? Warm your hands and heart on a mug of Gluwein, or sample a beer at the Bavarian Bar. Wrap up well and enjoy the very best tastes of Europe in the heart of Glasgow. For more details, see link: http://www.glasgowloveschristmas.com/

Edinburgh’s first craft beer festival opens later this month

Glasgow’s winter market stallholders will be ready from 10 November

Photo credits:

Perthshire Amber photo by Rob McDougall, www.perthshireamber.com

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If chocolate be the food of love, read on …

by ssc | Feb 11, 2016 | Blog

Forget hearts and flowers and breathless declarations – isn’t Valentine’s Day really just about chocolate? To celebrate, we’ve compiled a little chocolate trail focused on Stirling and Perthshire. So, for lovers of the cocoa bean and all its delightful products, Happy Valentine’s Day!

iQ Chocolate’s bean-to bar-superfood chocolate

iQ superfood chocolate – for clever chocolate lovers…

iQ Chocolate in Stirling create multi-award winning, superfood chocolate. It’s organic, raw and free from all 14 allergens, including gluten, soya, dairy, and is also low Gi. Their Bean-To-Bar SuperFood chocolate draws on some of the healthiest, purest and tastiest raw ingredients possible. It has 21 recorded health benefits (so far). The rare Peruvian Criollo bean is teamed with the natural sweetness of coconut blossom nectar to create a range of bars that are delicious, nutritious and guilt-free. iQ chocolate has been featured on BBC’s Great British Menu, Sunday Brunch, was on the menu for visiting dignitaries at the Olympics, and was showcased at the Ryder Cup in Gleneagles. For more information and to order, see: http://www.iqchoc.com/

Wicked Chocolate are based just an hour from Stirling, in beautiful Perth. Their online shop stocks traditional chocolate truffles, hampers for all occasions, single origin chocolate, luxury drinking chocolate, and a tempting range of chocolate buttons. Who could resist? Their ‘devilish’ packaging motif would make these treats a beguiling gift, and they have a shop on Whitefriar Street too. It has just re-opened after the winter. For more information: http://www.thewickedchocolatecompany.co.uk/

Iain Burnett, The Highland Chocolatier, can be found in Grandtully, Perthshire. Their handmade chocolates are created by award-winning artisan chocolatier Iain Burnett and his team of professionally trained gourmet chefs. Bringing you a taste of Scotland, infused with seasonal flavours, these chocolates are multi-award winning and have earned international acclaim. A member of the Academy of Chocolate, the Highland Chocolatier creates chocolates for both adults and children, all intricately designed and beautifully presented. Buy from their Grandtully or St Andrews shops for the full experience, or order online: https://www.highlandchocolatier.com/

Charlotte Flowers Chocolates have won Great Taste Awards year on year since 2009 with Excellence Awards from the British Chocolate Awards in 2015. Based in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, their flavours are inspired by the Scottish landscape and seasons. The flavour palette includes wild garlic and sloe blossom to Scots pine, sea buckthorn and juniper. Their wide range comprises filled chocolates, thins, bars and shards, and salted caramel with Hebridean sea salt. You can commission chocolates for a special event, or join one of their workshops. There, you will taste, make and learn about chocolate. For more information, see http://www.charlotteflowerchocolates.com/

Taystful in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, specialise in impressive chocolate cakes and chocolate displays, as well as handmade chocolates and sweet treats. These include some of the best brownies and tiffins you are ever likely to lay eyes on. Their creations have earned a number of awards – big both on taste and visual impact too. Taystful’s courses are becoming increasingly popular, with a pretty comprehensive tutorial list. Learn anything from handmade chocolates to patisserie, cake decoration, caramels, advanced courses – and beyond. This is the real deal for those who want to learn the art. For more information, to book or order, see: http://www.taystful.co.uk/

Decadent rich chocolate cake layered with smooth ganache, coated with flowing chocolate glassage and decorated with handmade chocolate embellishments

Taystful’s dark chocolate tiffin – yum! Who needs a Valentine’s card?

Photo credits:

Photos supplied by kind permission of iQ Chocolate, Stirling, and Taystful, Blairgowrie.

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