NEWS AND EVENTS

Our Park update

Our customers have been donating to this charity for 2 years now and I'm delighted to say that we raised over £700, between an 'Opt In' button when booking or by buying duck food whilst here!

I'm also pleased to confirm that our donations have gone towards funding 3 defibrillators for the Mountain Rescue Teams in our area (Inversnaid, Loch Achray and a light weight portable one) as well as some additional signage for the Rob Roy Way.  New projects coming soon! Will keep you posted.

Mountain Bike Trail in Aberfoyle

News of a forth coming venture this side of Aberfoyle, on Rabbit Hill (ggod name!) has got the family biking juices going. A new trail for mountain bike fans is in development and promises to be a great place to start out or hone exisiting skills, and family ability is at the heart of it.

As it progresses I hope to be able to report on the development, but now more than ever, it's a great time to bring your bikes to Lochend...or hire when our here.

What's on over winter

Round at the Lake Hotel they have procured a great ceilidh band and are doing a 3 course dinner, plus the ceilidh, for £44.
The dates are: 17th November, 22nd December, 19th January and 9th February 2013. For further details follow the link.
http://www.lake-hotel.com/stay/packages/kinlochard-ceilidh-nights.aspx

On Wednesday the 14th November at Stirling University there is a Talk by Andy Torbert who is an extreme adventurer, a zoologist, deep caver, free diver and all things dangerous it seems! But its part of the 'Inspiring people talks'that the Royal Scottish Georaphical Society are putting on....I certainly have a teenage boy who'll want to go! Tickets £8 for adults, students and children are free.Tickets at the door.
19:30 - 21:00
Logie Lecture Theatre, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Something for the ladies, mainly, this time.
'From the Heart' a fashion, hair and beauty event...with a difference. Wednesday 14th November at Adamo Hotel in Stirling at 7.30pm, tickets £20 and all funds raised go to the Charity Chest and Heart Stroke. CCHS manager Alison Acosta said,
"We're delighted to have been chosen to receive the proceeds from this wonderful event which will make a perfect pre-Christmas treat. Get a sneak peak at the new season styles from Joules, O'Neill, Dubarry, Alan Paine Tweeds, Hoggs of Fife and Toggi among others and pick up some hair and beauty tips from the experts. Tickets can be bought from the Frances Hunter Hair & Beauty salon in Stirling or from Boquhan Estates near Kippen. Alternatively you can buy online at www.justgiving.com.fromtheheartfashionshow Come along and help raise funds for CHSS's vital work supporting people in Scotland with chest, heart and stroke illness."

In Glasgow on the 30th November our very own Chris Carroll, with his wood turning hat on, will be exhibiting in what sounds like a magical night out! 'Away with the Fairies' is a 'magical shopping experience', in the Kelvingrove Art Galleries, from 6pm-midnight (so a wee touch of Night at the Museum!) with champagne! and being St Andrews night, live pipe musivc will add to the atmosphere!
£5 for a ticket, raising money for cancer charities, tickets can be aquired by emailing linsgraham@gmail.com

Photo Competion winners

Thanks again to all who took time to submit their holiday photo's and here are the results:

1st prize, and coming to celebrate Christmas with us at Lochend, are Andrew Webster and family and although all 6 photos were good this was the winning combination for us...

And then our 4 runners-up, each receiving a '£50 off' voucher are:

Morag and Gwyilm Machin sent 'Christmas Baking', they also write their Christmas cards and have a vat of mulled wine on the go over a November weekend!

Matt Gilray sent us a place he must have visited often with his two girls when he was here, the Rope Swing

Clare McLaughlin caught somebody contemplating the beauty of a pink, winter sunset

And Greg Smith sent this picture of the boats and shore from an interesting angle (from the balcony??) and in silhouette...

2014 Commonwealth Games

Jumping a wee bit ahead of ourselves but we've been as 'caught up' in all things sporty this summer as have many brits and we're now looking forward to Glasgow hosting this major event...truly exciting. AND we have a personal favourite in Kirsty Gilmore, who is the daughter of Chris's badminton doubles partner...from a few years back! Not only handy with wood but nifty on a court too! And Glasgow is our second home so the following video should get you in the mood.

http://youtu.be/ZlowQsZ3tvg

Creative Scotland - Summer

Here's a few inspirational scottish creatives

http://youtu.be/UXR8XFKhS4Q

The Games have started!

The Highland games that is!!

Like last year this link takes you to all the games held in Scotland - some too far away from here but alot within reach.

Follow this link: http://www.shga.co.uk/events.php for plenty of this...

Nycos for Boys will sing in celebration of the Olympics

Sunday 27 May
6.00pm
Church of the Holy Rude, Stirling

Join NYCoS National Boys Choir for another outstanding performance of Going for Gold: a sports cantata.

The Choir of over 70 young singers will cover the themes of dedication, motivation and commitment while visiting the sports of Rowing, Track and Field, Aquatics and Cycling on the way.

Also taking part in the concert is NYCoS Stirling Choir (Youth Choir), directed by Anne Murphy.

To buy tickets follow the link at the end: Tickets are £12 for adults, £8 concessions and £4 for school children. http://www.nycos.co.uk/Nycos-Events/Concerts-Participation

Royal Highland Show 2012

Its hard to sum up this rural event on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Farming communities biggest date, but the food produce and demonstartions, the fashion retail and the premier livestock all contribute to make this a facinating event. Running 21-24th June tickets are cheaper bought online but you won't be able to see it all in one day! http://royalhighlandshow.org/

July Events

National Park Rangers lead guided walks and events throughout the year, which are free to the general public. Rangers provide a unique insight to this special place and are experienced walk leaders and qualified first aiders too.

Introduction to East Loch Lomond

Every Tuesday, 2pm to 4pm. 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 July. Meet at National Park Visitor Centre, Balmaha

Join National Park Rangers on a family friendly walk, discover seasonal flora and fauna along the way while learning about geology and treelore.

Chocolate Geology

Every Wednesday, 2pm to 3.30pm. 4, 11, 18 & 25 July, National Park Visitor Centre, Balmaha.

Come along to this interesting and informative event and find out how the landscape of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs was formed as you eat your way through the props.

Introduction to Inchcailloch

Every Wednesday, 2pm to 3.30pm. 4, 11, 18 & 25 July. Meet at North Pier, Inchcailloch.

Join National Park Rangers on a family friendly walk on Inchcailloch. Find out about the history and heritage of the island while discovering the many flora and fauna that make it such a special place.

Other information:
To reach North Pier a boat trip is required. The boat to the island leaves from Macfarlane's Boatyard, Balmaha, cost £5 adults/ £2.50 under 16s

Callander Meadows - Nature Discovery Day

Wednesday, 18 & 25 July, 2.30pm to 4.30pm, Callander Meadows, Callander

Bring the kids along to this fun event where they'll get the opportunity to take part in marsh dipping, invertebrate hunts and bird watching. No booking necessary.

Woodland Wonderland - Nature Discovery Day

Thursday 19 July, 2.30pm to 4pm, National Park Visitor Centre, Balmaha.

Bring the family along to this fun event where they will explore local woodland and learn about the plants and animals that live there. You'll then head back to the visitor centre to create your own woodland themed work of art. No booking necessary.

Beautiful Butterflies - Nature Discovery Day

Thursday 26 July, 2.30pm to 4pm, National Park Visitor Centre, Balmaha.

Come along to this fun event and discover why butterflies are beautiful and amazing. No booking necessary.

Newsletter Photo Competition Winners.

We're pleased to announce the winners of our Newsletter Photo comp winners; In first place, and coming to stay with us this Christmas, are Andy and Julie Wellings from Manchester, with this photo...

We then had 4 runners up, who each got a '£50 off a weeks stay' voucher and here they are...

Kath and John Ashton, High Peaks, with 'A Healthy Snack'!

Then Julie and Gordon Steele sent this family holiday picture which we've called 'Fully Active Holiday'!

Elaine Hughes sent this in from a few years ago but we still have 'Action Ducks' who still behave the same way!

And last, but by no means least, The McDonalds sent this picture which we've called 'Crossed Oars'

Although this was their other one which was a close second!

Our Park

Lochend Chalets is a proud member of the 'OUR park' scheme which is helping to support vital works to conserve and enhance the landscape and wildlife of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park for us all to enjoy. We would like to ask you for your support too and give you the opportunity, when booking, to add a donation. We suggest a £1 per person in the party for your visit to the Trossachs. This kind of scheme has been running in the Lake District for several years with great results for community projects, which in turn, adds to the visitors' experience. We hope with such an amazing area of natural beauty that we can keep it that way. Any suggestions whilst here, or in the comments box whilst booking, as to the kind of projects you'd like to see in the area, are equally welcome and will be fed back to 'The Friends' committee. To find out more about the ongoing projects your donations will support go to: www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk

Stirling castle - The palace reopens

The newly refurbished Palace at Stirling Castle allows visitors to step into the astonishing richness of royal life in the 1500s.
James V's Palace at Stirling is one of the finest and best-preserved Renaissance buildings in Great Britain. Following a major programme of research and re-presentation, it can now be seen by visitors much as it may have looked on completion around 1545.
The decoration of the Palace's six main rooms is overwhelmingly colourful, rich and elaborate. James and his French wife Mary of Guise aimed to present themselves as wealthy, learned and sophisticated.
The decorative style belongs to the Renaissance - a great flowering in arts, literature and philosophy that revolutionised Europe in the 1400s and 1500s. Bright colours, expensive fabics and ornate patterns were essential elements.
But this was not flamboyance for its own sake. The decorative scheme was filled with messages about power, prosperity and plenty. It was not limited to the interior chambers but also extended to the exterior walls, embellished with hundreds of statues and other stone-carvings.

The port Primary kids came here for their summer outing and had a wonderful day. Stirling castle has a new manager and she's great!!
Have a look for yourselves http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/

MacRobert Arts Centre

Affectionately known as 'The McBob's' in our family, this centre can't get enough praise...the best local cinema experience in my opinion (costs less than the Vue and you can take a civilized drink in with you, be it a cappuccino or a glass of red!) a great theatre with stage shows, dance (the last thing I saw was Michael Clarke Dance Group and off to see Communicado Theartre this week), loads of comedy acts, as well as championing youth theatre and dance groups. It's a cafe, it's a bar, it's a restaurant and art gallery. Attached to Stirling University, it's a 25 minute journey from Lochend. Have a look and organise something before you arrive! http://www.macrobert.org/