BLiSS Trail Ornamental Art Installations for IAD2016 by Loch Earn Tourism Information

BLiSS Trail Ornamental features TRAIL SECTION 1 – STRATHYRE Thistle, the Heilan Coo Location : Broch Café, Strathyre FK18 8ND on A84

A Heilan Coo with no name? Strathyre Primary School to the rescue! A competition was set

by Broch Café owners Bill and Lesley and the winning pupil came up with the name “Thistle”.

Pupils were asked to write down a reason for the name that they were submitting. The winners answer was “..because it is the flower of Scotland”.

Thistle was made by Wee Coo company from Auchendennan Farm within Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National park. The creative company utilises wind-blown and sustainably sourced Scottish wood.

Strathyre Primary School and teachers are so inspired by Thistle and the BLiSS Trail that they are discussing the possibilities of having their own art installation in the school grounds, favouring a carved wooden stag that would reflect the school crest.

‘Airliephant’ Location: Airlie House B & B, Main Street, Strathyre, FK18 8NA

A beautifully carved baby elephant, better known as the Airliephant, can be found at 4 Star Airlie House B & B, a beautiful early 1900’s villa boasting views of Ben Vane, Ardnadave Hill and the surrounding countryside.

You can also spot the Airliephant from the A84 or pop into the garden at the Airlie Ice Cream Parlour to savour a leisurely close-up view while tucking into an ice cream sundae or float.

For information on Airlie House B & B, visit www.airliehouse.co.uk

Miniature Mill House and Bridge Location: Across the Balvaig Bridge from A84, old road Strathyre.,

This miniature stone mill house and bridge sit at the entrance to a private garden, visible from the road. Local children know this as “The Fairy House”. Walk or cycle over the old stone bridge that crosses the river Balvaig from the A84. At the end of the road turn right.

Look for this labour of love on the left hand side; created by Jimmy Gibson - one of Kingshouse Travel’s driving team. This single track road was once an old drovers’ road dotted with cottars houses pre-dating the Victorian layout of Strathyre as we know it today.

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Lions Couchant Location : Creagan House Restaurant with Rooms, Strathyre, FK18 8ND on A84

Guests at Creagan House, to the north of the village of Strathyre, are welcomed on arrival at the 5 Star Restaurant with Rooms by a pair of lions gracing the drive. These were installed by former owner, the late John McGregor Blain, whom it’s thought bought them at an auction at a castle or country house. It may be though that he cast them himself as he created the grand fireplace in Creagan’s imposing baronial dining hall – and this also incorporates a pair of lions made of stone from an old barn.

All meals served at Creagan, which translates as "rocky ground" or "little rocks", are served on pottery made and designed on the Isle of Skye at Westman's Pottery on the Sleat peninsular, by Elizabeth and Tom Westman. The cruets and peppermills look and feel like small rocks. The triangular plates were chosen from the portfolio to complement the style of the baronial dining hall and many pieces were decorated with the lion rampant from the shields of the seated lions on the fireplace For more details on Creagan House Restaurant with Rooms, visit www.creaganhouse.co.uk

TRAIL SECTION 2 – BALQUHIDDER AND BALQUHIDDER STATION

MHOR Coo Location: MHOR84 Motel, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead FK19 8NY

This popular local ‘coo’ moooves around the MHOR84 Motel for different events and functions. The motel, which has been named the number two ‘Best Budget Hotel’ in the UK

by The Sunday Times , can be found near cycle route 7 and the Rob Roy Way. Electric cars can also recharge here, making it the perfect pit stop at the head of Balquhidder Glen.

For information on MHOR84, visit http://mhor.net/mhor-84-motel/

Old Signpost Location: Kingshouse, Balquhidder slip road off the A84

Long before the days of motor vehicles - never mind Sat Nav - travellers were relying on roadside route markers and milestones. This recently-restored, cast iron, Victorian signpost is the only one known to exist in the region. The two arm sign originally had 3 as the location used to be a T junction with the A84 running past The Kingshouse Hotel (MHOR84). One arm points to Rob Roy’s Grave 2 miles Balquhidder Braes and the other to Lochearnhead, 3

miles, Killin, 10 miles, Crianlarich, 20 miles and Oban, 61 miles. Each arm has a pointing hand.

Turn off the A84 on the Kingshouse, Balquhidder slip road and you will see the signpost on the right in front of the MHOR84 car park and close to Sustrans Route 7 entrances to Lochearnhead and Strathyre.

Red Phone Box Location: Balquhidder slip road from the A84

This iconic red phone box, which has been photographed by many a walker, cyclist and visitor to the area, still works! It is located close to MHOR84 Motel, SULA Harris Tweed soft furnishing shop, Kingshouse Travel and Taxi’s, Sustrans cycle route 7 paths to Lochearnhead and Strathyre and the road to Balquhidder.

Half-Way Totem Pole Location: Balquhidder back road, opposite Balquhidder Village Hall

This eye-catching and unconventional distance marker and traffic sign - created by Balquhidder local Edward Chadfield - serves an important highway code purpose on this single track road. When meeting a car coming towards you, the local rule is that whoever is furthest from the half-way point marker does the reversing.

The Cockerel Location: Sustrans Scotland Millenium Mile Marker, RT7, Edinchip, A84

1000 Millennium mileposts were made at the turn of the century to celebrate the National Cycle Network. This blue, cast iron mile marker seen from the A84 at Edinchip, is one of 175 that were commissioned by Sustrans for its cycle routes in Scotland. Four artists were commissioned by Sustrans to create a distinctive mile marker for the four countries of the united Kingdom. Scottish sculptor Ian McColl created Scotland’s design, known as “The Cockerel”.

TRAIL SECTION 3 – LOCHEARNHEAD Stan The Stag

Location: Briar Cottages, Lochearnhead FK19 8PU

Visible from the A85 in Lochearnhead, Stan stands proudly across from the B Listed, thatched-roofed Briar Cottage which overlooks the timeless beauty of Loch Earn and the surrounding mountains.

Owners Kim and Fraser Proven - proud of their regal-looking stag who lights up at night against the black sky and waters of the loch - encourage their guests and visitors to take photos of Stan in different light and during the various seasons, with Stuc A Chroin, Edinample Castle and Glenample behind him.

For information on Briar Cottages Self Catering visit www.stayatbriar.co.uk

BLiSS trail map of Art Installations, Ornamental Features, Food and Drink Stops www.robroycountry.com/blisstrail ,brought to you by The Loch Earn Tourism Information group representing Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre, St Fillans at www.robroycountry.com Follow us on Twitter @robroycounry #BLiSStrail #IAD2016

Loch Earn Tourism Information (LETi)

Full details of artists, installations, ornamental features and food and drink stops •LETi is a group of local tourism businesses which initially came together in 1994 to promote the retail and commercial services around Loch Earn. Today LETi represents and promotes businesses from the communities of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, St. Fillans and Strathyre in accommodation, hospitality, outdoor activities, shopping, therapies, tours and events.

•The aim of membership is to attract people to the area, provide an exemplary service to guests and to encourage repeat visits. LETi’s website - www.robroycountry.com - reflects these aims and enables guests to look at accommodation options and choices, as well as to provide tourism information surrounding this breathtakingly beautiful part of Scotland.

• LETi small business members live and work in the naturally beautiful villages of Balquhidder, Strathyre, Lochearnhead and St Fillans in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. The villages surround Loch Earn, Loch Lubnaig, Loch Voil, Loch Doine and The River Earn. Towering mountains and Munros Ben Ledi, Ben Sheann, Stuc A Chroin, Ben Vorlich and the Braes of Balquhidder create a magnificent backdrop punctuated by ancient and new forests and an abundance of wildlife.

•Working together LETi members aim to cater for a range of visitor needs offering a choice of tourism services. The four season holiday and short break destination provides a selection of accommodation from campsites, B&B, self-catering and guest houses to a luxury boutique hotel.

• LETi members are able to comment on a range of subjects including: accommodation, locally sourced food and drink, wildlife and nature watching, The Rob Roy Way, fishing and fishing boat hire, soft furnishing using Scottish textiles, holistic therapies, industry crafts, history and folklore, genealogy, local events, Land Rover safaris, The BLS Highland Games, The Lochearn Shears, St Fillans Golf Club, water sports and events, local transport, the railways, private hire tours, deer stalking, National Cycle Route 7, The Stuc A Chroin Hill Race, The BLS Villagers Newspaper - and more.

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016

•2016 shines a spotlight on Scotland’s achievements in innovation, architecture and design through a wide-ranging, variety of events and activity.

•The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, and supported by a variety of partners including Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, Architecture + Design Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).

•Join the conversation at #IAD2016

For Visitor Information For information on VisitScotland For information on Business Events For information on EventScotland

For information on Travel trade From textiles and technology, to architecture, fashion, and more, the 2016 Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, running from 1 January to 31 December shines the spotlight on Scotland’s greatest assets, icons, and hidden gems. We invite you to come and discover Scotland’s breathtaking architecture, bold design and incredible innovation during 2016! #IAD2016. Show your #ScotSpirit, Join the conversation.

BLiSS Trail post card map Follow 13 installations and 10 ornamental features at www.robroycountry.com/blisstrail

BLiSS Trail © Loch Earn Tourism Information (LETi) group #BLiSStrail hashtag is registered by LETi