Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Star Awards 2011

Yesterday evening we attended the Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Star Awards at Crieff Hydro Hotel.  The B&B had made it through to the final four nominations in the Royal Bank of Scotland Customer Service Award - to cut to the chase we didn't win.  The other three businesses in the Customer Service Category were a beauty salon, a tyre business and a ready-made meals food delivery company - a totally diverse mix.  It is very difficult therefore for us to benchmark the B&B against the other businesses customer service as we are all so different,  even though customer service is our main objective.  We had a very enjoyable evening and delighted that the B&B made it through to the awards.  Congratulations to everyone that won.

White Tailed Eagles and other Perthshire Wildlife

On Tuesday evening I attended another great event entitled 'White Tailed Eagles and other brilliant Perthshire Wildlife' at the Birnam Hotel in Birnam, by Dunkeld.

There were three great presentations the first was about White Tailed Sea eagles and their re-introduction to the East Coast of Scotland.  The sea eagles are establishing well on the West Coast with Mull being a popular viewing destination.  They are huge birds and I have never seen one, but they have been sighted overhead very close by and I now know another local place to spot them, which is a nice wee run out even if you don't spot an eagle.They are not yet breeding on the east as the birds are not yet mature enough but I think they have hopes for next year.

The next presentation was by RSPB Vane Farm just down the road at Kinross.  I'm ashamed to say I haven't been down to the reserve for years although I was down at Loch Leven at Easter.  It really is a brilliant place to visit and is great for children.  At this time of year the loch is visited by thousands of geese which overnight on Loch Leven, bit of a goose B&B! Vane Farm is open all year with plenty of events and there are great walks around Loch Leven.  Hot of the press is that Vane Farm will be re-naming themselves as RSPB Loch Leven, as Vane Farm gives the impression it is a farm.

The final presentation was by our very local Scottish Wildlife Trust's Loch of the Lowes talking about the Ospreys, red squirrels and all the birdlife the centre attracts, always a popular place for my guests to visit.  The centre is currently on Winter opening hours until the 29th February from 10.30am -4.00pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  On Sunday 4th December there will be a red squirrel event at the centre and you can learn all about the little beauties with Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels.  I would also encourage you to report your squirrel sightings on their website.

The evening finished with a lovely local produce buffet.  Big thanks again to Fiona and Sarah from Perth and Kinross Council rural development programme for arranging another super evening - look forward to the next one :-)

Tree Felling along the Riverbank

They are currently busy felling sycamore trees along the riverside in blairgowrie with the aim to improve the whole area and it will open up the vistas and you will get a superb view of two amazing ancient trees, a fir and a monkey puzzle.  I met a couple who were also admiring the trees and the old mill ruins along this great local walk.

Falls of Bruar

Next to the House of Bruar is a woodland walk called the Falls of Bruar along a river gorge with terrific views of trees and rocks and waterfalls. The children managed right to the top no problem and I kept the dog on the lead as there are some pretty steep falls if he decided to bound over the edge.  A beautiful walk for a mild November day.

The House of Bruar

After returning from my wee photo journey around the town Mr M thought it would be nice to have a trip up the road to the House of Bruar. 

 The House of Bruar is an amazing place filled with many lovely things, clothes, interiors, kitchen, garden, things for dogs, paintings, children's toys, restaurant, lots of tweed, waxed jackets etc and a fantastic food hall.

It is located just off the A9 north of Blair Atholl and is always a pretty busy place, well worth a visit.