Park Life Magazine Nov/Dec 2022

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In This Edition...

Are We Nearly There Yet?

Energy crisis. Inflation. Everything else! Sometimes you feel like you’re stuck in the back of the car, with no control over where you’re going. Rather than wonder if the journey will be over soon, how about letting your mind drift to the anticipation of one of the highlights on the way? Christmas, of course! Yes, we’re here again, so let’s stop the world, get off, and enjoy the escapism for a well earned break.

Park Life’s Christmas gift guide on page 36 is a great pointer for gift ideas that are just that little bit out of the ordinary.

You might want to cut your own Christmas tree and make a family outing of it. How? See pages 18 and 19. Or maybe a bit of a walk in the woods followed by DIY crafts to create your custom Christmas Wreath. Follow the easy instructions on page 23 for a very environmentally friendly traditional Christmas decoration.

We published an article back in our April/May edition about progress on the raising of funds for the restoration of the steamship Sir Walter Scott. On pages 10 & 11 there’s an update on the fundraising progress, and the progress of the works actually carried out on the ship over the summer.

The Oak Tree Inn celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. We have a four page feature on this landmark, and the Fraser family who kicked it all off, starting on page 52.

Of course, you’ll need all the usual information about What’s On over Christmas, plus What’s On between now and then at Mugdock Park. Pages 32, 33, 42 & 43 will help you with all that. Make sure you check all of our advertisers for events and offers too.

Yes, we’re nearly there!

Katrina, Lisa, Simon The Park Life Team

Katrina - Director Lisa - Sales Director

Katrina - Director | e: katrina@parklifescotland.co.uk

- Sales Director | e: lisa@parklifescotland.co.uk

m: 07791 976910

m: 07792 066706 www.parklifescotland.co.uk

by Skep Design - Simon Jones | e: simon.jones@skepdesign.co.uk

m: 07817

& FORCE DRIED

full steam ahead for sir walter scott steamship

Thanks to great support from visitors and locals

The iconic and much-loved Steamship Sir Walter Scott is close to returning to service on Loch Katrine.

Although these grants were crucial to the appeal's success, the trust received a large number of donations that poured in from visitors to Loch Katrine as well as local residents and businesses. Some businesses also generously donated services' in kind'.

The Steamship has played a vital role in the Trossachs during its long history and is the emblem of the newly revitalised Trossachs Trail.

The SOS - Save our Steamship appeal has secured most of the £500,000 required to restore the 122-year-old Steamship, with plans for her to resume sailing on January 1st with its traditional new year sailings.

The charitable trust that looks after the Steamship secured £130,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, together with a series of smaller grant awards from The Hugh Fraser Foundation and Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust and Pilgrim Trust.

During the summer, new boilers were installed in the engine room; these will deliver a cleaner, more sustainable steam power system using a revolutionary hydrogen and vegetable oil fuel, dramatically cutting carbon emissions.

Meanwhile, enthusiastic volunteers from the Steamboat Association of Great Britain skilfully stripped out old decking. Then, they rubbed down the wheelhouse, handrails, and seats before specialist boatbuilders were able to install new decking and undertake other essential repairs.

Whilst on dry dock, the ship's exterior has been painted with a team working hard to get her ready to sail again. Experienced engineers taught work placements some of the key restoration skills and processes.

The Loch Katrine team have met with local disabled groups to see what further elements can be introduced to improve the experience for disabled visitors. The Steamship can accommodate wheelchair users, and it is hoped that these changes will make the attraction accessible to even more disabled people.

The pier walkway to the Steamship already celebrates the rich history of the Trossachs, including exhibitions about Rob Roy MacGregor, who was born at Loch Katrine and the introduction of the waterworks opened by Queen Victoria to supply water for Glasgow and much of Central Scotland. In addition, a new exhibition will contain audio and visual storytelling of Loch Katrine’s Steamships and other Trossachs stories and legends.

The Steamship Trust are grateful for all the donations to the restoration and look forward to seeing supporters sailing on her in the new year.

The appeal is still open, please donate at saveoursteamship.com

Bespoke, Impartial Energy Advice e Heat Pump and

Lead consultant at The Heat Pump and Solar Energy Guide, Keith Kemsley comes with over 17 years renewable energy experience. Keith explains “Energy is the hottest topic in every household. The real conundrum for most house holders, self-builders and businesses is which solution/s are right for their property…. which will bring the greatest financial savings and carbon reduction. This is the question I answer and present in a simple and easy to follow report.

First, I listen to the customer and understand their ambitions; reducing energy to save money, their carbon emissions or both. The next task is to analyse building construction, use and current energy consumption. This “fabric and habit first” approach enables me to consider which insulation improvements and “good habit” measures that can be

introduced to reduce energy wastage before modelling potential solutions such as a heat pump and/or solar PV. Helping customers to understand the potential benefits in terms of running costs and carbon savings is only part of the journey; it is essential that the proposed solutions are both practical in terms of physical installation, will meet the demands of the occupants and present ongoing affordable comfort.

Understanding what questions to ask the installation companies and identifying who is responsible for each aspect of the installation helps my customers to become confident when choosing a company to order their energy saving solution with. Together with capital cost, grant and loan funding guidance my customers are armed with the right information to make buying decisions with confidence.

For new builds and renovations, I work from plans and provide guidance to the self-builder and their architect; ensuring the right solution is specified and installed correctly.

Solar Energy Guide

Renewable energy solutions are invariably expensive so it is important to get it right, a solution that will work for you and meet with your needs and expectations.

Business assessments can include a review of the property as well as processes carried out at the site.

and start from £395. There is a £50 discount for all orders placed before 31st Jan 2023 quoting PLW50.

I also provide technical support and guidance for customers with heat pump systems that are not working

Report costs are based on location and property size

properly or have been poorly installed and failing to reach the industry standards set out in the Micro-generation Certification Scheme (MCS).

I provide thermal imaging service to help identify building fabric failings”.

Cut your own Christmas Tree!

Soon the Duff family will be opening their farm near Buchyvie for another season of ‘Cut Your Own Christmas Tree’.

This year Duff Christmas Tree farm is raising money for two good causes. First, and for the third year, Red Squirrel preservation, through charity Friends of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs and RSABI (Supporting People in Scottish Agriculture). This gives them the perfect excuse to get the red squirrel costumes out again!

duff christmas tree –sustainable facts

• For every 1 tree felled, 2 are planted.

For many this activity marks the start of festive fun and a much-loved annual family tradition. In the last few years there has even been a proposal in amongst the Christmas Trees!

At weekends in December there will once again be pizzas from Base Pizza, Coffee from Fallen Tree Coffee and delicious treats from Flour Bake Girl.

•The plantation absorbs carbon dioxide and helps to support the eco system, with the plantation home to wildlife such as birds, voles, and birds of prey.

•They have created new woodlands, planted with oak, birch, rowan and hazel on a 17 acre site. They also protect 50 acres of semi-ancient woodland, preserving native species.

•They are using greener

of

lorries are all under 2

•The farmhouse and office

•Much of the

•The tree is fully

Make your own classic Christmas Wreath

Head to the woods to forage for foliage and all you’ll need are a couple of basic supplies to make your own classic Christmas Wreath.

You Will Need

• Wire wreath frame

• Scissors (Floristry scissors or secateurs)

• Ribbon (Medium/large thickness)

• Moss

• Foliage and pine (A selection of hardy foliage and pine (a mix of different shades of greens and textures works really well – here we’ve used eucalyptus and bay)

• Decorations (We like to keep ours quite natural and green so we’ve used poppy heads, pine cones and nigella flower seed heads. You can also add cinnamon sticks, orange/lime slices, sprayed foliage or bells.)

Step 1

Want to know how to make a Christmas wreath? To begin, attach one end of the reel wire to your frame with a few twists.

Step 3

Continue adding bunches of moss until the whole frame is covered with an even distribution. Keep the reel wire attached to the wreath. Assemble small bundles of your mixed foliage and pine – it works best to keep larger bits of foliage and pine at the back of the bundle.

Step 6

Attach a ribbon by doubling it around your wreath underneath the foliage, leaving it long enough to attach to your door. It’s a good idea to hold up the wreath and look at the shape before you decide where to attach the ribbon.

Step 2

Secure bundles of bunched up moss to the frame by wrapping the reel wire around them. We use moss as it gives depth to the wreath – it will also provide moisture for the foliage you’ll be adding later.

Step 4

Lay a bundle of foliage on the wreath and secure firmly using the reel wire. Add more bundles in the same direction, overlapping with the previous one.

Step 7

Cut long lengths of reel wire to make ‘legs’ for your decorations (to attach them to the wreath). To do this, bend the wire in half and attach with a few twists around a suitable point on your decoration (such as the stem or around the pine cone).

Step 5

Continue adding bundles of leaves until the frame is evenly covered. Cut the reel wire, leaving enough to secure at the back by twisting it around itself.

Step 8

Attach the decorations at random intervals around the wreath by separating out the ‘legs’ of the wire and securing them at the back of the wreath with a few twists. Use the ribbon to hang your wreath on a door or suitable place and enjoy your Christmas wreath!

Park Life Recipe Christmas Brownies

Ingredients

• 200g unsalted butter cut into cubes, plus extra for greasing

• 100g dark chocolate , chopped

• 100g milk chocolate , chopped

• 3 large eggs

• 300g golden caster sugar

• 100g plain flour

• 50g cocoa powder

• Half a teaspoon mixed spice

Method

STEP 1

To decorate

• 9 sprigs rosemary

• 9 glacé cherries

• 1 egg white

• 2 tbsp caster sugar

• 4 amaretti biscuits , crushed

• 9 chocolate truffles (we used Lindt lindor)

• Edible gold lustre spray

• 1-2 tsp icing sugar for dusting

• Few chocolate buttons

• Edible silver balls

STEP 3

Grease and line a 20cm x 20cm brownie tin. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Put the butter and both types of chocolate in a heat proof bowl and either melt in the microwave (in 30 second bursts, stirring after each) or set over a pan of barely simmering water, stirring every now and then until the chocolate has melted.

STEP 2

Leave the chocolate and butter mixture to cool a little while you whisk the eggs and caster sugar in a large bowl using electric beaters. Once the mixture is pale, fluffy and looks like it’s roughly doubled in volume, whisk in the melted chocolate. Fold in the flour, cocoa powder and mixed spice until no pockets of flour remain then pour into your prepared tin. Level the top with a spatula and bake for 20-25 mins. The top should look set and shiny but should be a little wobbly if you gently jostle the tin.

Leave the brownie to cool completely in the tin then chill in the fridge until set. While the brownie cools brush the rosemary sprigs and glacé cherries with egg white, dab off the excess with kitchen paper then dredge in caster sugar until well coated. Leave to dry on a wire rack. Put the chocolate truffles onto a sheet of baking paper or foil then spray with the edible gold lustre.

STEP 4

Dust the chilled brownie with icing sugar to create a snowy surface and top with amaretti biscuit pieces then poke the crystalised rosemary sprigs into the surface at random intervals (cut the brownie into pieces and dust on icing sugar first, if you like). Nestle a glacé cherry or gold truffle alongside the rosemary sprig then add the buttons and silver balls.

Created using the best locally sourced ingredients, the menu has something to suit all tastes, including both vegetarian and gluten free choices.

Classic festive dishes, capturing the taste of Christmas Cumberland sauce & glazed salad with toasted brioche; west coast cold water king prawns & smashed avocado bound by Marie Rose sauce, glazed leaves & rustic bread, and, of course, traditional roast turkey with cranberry & haggis stu ng, duck fat roast potatoes and Chef’s own bread sauce.

on a plate, include Chef’s coarse venison pate with

For many, the festive dessert choice is always a real highlight. Once again you can go traditional with classic Christmas pudding with whisky sauce, or a mulled wine ice parfait. e intriguing combination of gin & rosemary quality

combines in an ice cream which accompanies the signature Karma Black Forest gateaux, whilst the nal dessert choice sees Head Chef Mike Potts ex his culinary muscles with his own version of a classic Ja a Cake, this time served with a coconut ice cream. A selection of quality Scottish cheeses are also available for those with more of a savoury tooth. “ is will be Karma Group’s rst Christmas here at the beautiful Lake of Menteith, and we want

those joining us for a festive meal,” said General Manager,

With the season changing and the nights drawing in, there’s still plenty going on at Mugdock to attract everyone. There’s a selection of Ranger sessions for all ages and Fizzgig are performing their Panto again with Cinderella. The Park is also welcoming a light experience in December and tickets are now on sale through an independent website, Mugdock Christmas Wonderland www.mugdockchristmaswonderland.co.uk.

2022 November

Forest School – Whittling Around the Fire

Sunday 6th November 2pm – 4pm

Learn the skill of whittling whilst sitting around a fire you will have built and lit on this woodland session. For 12-16 year olds. Cost £8 each (+ fee).

Forest School – Musical Sticks

Sunday 20th November 2pm – 4pm Find sticks in the woods and turn them into something musical. For 8-12 year olds. Cost £8 each (+ fee).

December

Forest School – Christmas Decorations

Sunday 4th December 2pm – 4pm Head to the woods with the Ranger to cut wood, then make your very own Christmas decorations. For 8-12 year olds. Cost £8(+ fee).

Fizgigg presents: Cinderella

Saturday 3rd to Wednesday 28th December (various dates and times)

Poor Cinderella cleans and dusts and cooks for her selfish sisters, Pashmina and Polly-Esther. They swan around and dream about marrying Simon Cowell. In the next county Will .I. Am Awfyshy, is struggling to meet the girl he would like to marry. He decides to hold a talent competition and invites all the ladies from the land to enter. Will Pashmina and PollyEsther’s singing blow him away or scare him away? Will he fall for Cinderella or will he just fall? Come along and sing along! Boo and hiss! Laugh and cheer! Fizzgig can’t wait to see you all there!

Ticket bookings via Eventbrite: https:// Fizzgigcinderella.eventbrite.com

Mugdock Winter Wonderland

From 8th - 24th December (12 nights only, various dates)

Tickets on sale now for Mugdock Christmas Wonderland 2022! Book fast for your favourite time! At Mugdock Country Park there’s so much to get jolly about this festive season...

Enchanting lightshow around woodland & gardens

Santa’s Grotto & Story Telling Experience Fairground rides & other attractions

Festive street food & drinks

It’ll be a truly magical occasion for the whole family to enjoy! Info & Tickets www.mugdockchristmaswonderland.co.uk

Marvellous Meteors, Mugdock –No Children Required!

Wednesday 14th December 7:30pm – 9:30pm

Find out all about the Geminid Meteor Shower with the Ranger Service. A short talk followed by a chance to search the December skies for one of the greatest natural firework displays of the year. Slide talk if the weather is bad. Not suitable for under 16’s. Cost £7 (+ fee).

2023

January

Wildlife Weans, Mugdock: Teddy Toddle

Friday 6th January

10.30am – 11.30am (1-5 year olds)

1pm – 2pm (6-7 year olds)

Calling all younger children and their grown-ups!

Cost £5 per child (+ fee).

Forest School – Bird Feeders

Sunday 8th January 2pm – 4pm

For 8-12 year olds. Cost £8 (+ fee).

Stargazing at Mugdock

Friday 13th January 7pm – 8:30pm

For adults and children, minimum age 7yrs. Cost £7 (+ fee).

Forest School – Winter Whittle Wander

Sunday 29th January 2pm – 4pm

For 8-12 year olds. Cost £8 (+ fee).

February

Stargazing at Mugdock

Friday 3rd February 7pm – 8:30pm

For adults and children, minimum age 7yrs. Cost £7 (+ fee).

Wildlife Weans, Mugdock: Wildlife Art

Tuesday 14th February

10.30am – 11.30am (1-5 year olds)

1pm – 2pm (6-7 year olds)

Calling all younger children and their grown-ups! Cost £5 per child (+ fee).

Forest School – Trail by Fire

Wednesday 15th February 2pm – 4pm

For 8-12 year olds. Cost £8 (+ fee).

*Booking is essential for all the events and is done via Eventbrite. Tickets for the light experience can be booked at www.mugdockchristmaswonderland.co.uk

All Mugdock events, including the Panto, must be booked in advance and are now being sold through Eventbrite www.eventbrite.co.uk.

Craigallian

Nick’s by Nick Nairn

New life style shop

with

pg 23

Town & Country Designs

pg

A range of luxury gifts, Candles, Votives, Everlasting Flowers and

to make your home beautiful this Christmas.

Paul Saunders See pg 68

Photography Training Courses - purchase a voucher for a 2.5 hour course during 2023 at Balmaha. Learn camera skills and techniques from professional photographer Paul Saunders, take control of your camera to capture better photographs. Cost £65 see website for dates and to purchase.

Purchase a Family Photography Session voucher that can be redeemed in 2023.

Benview Garden Centre See pg 24

Benview’s Food & Gift shop plus our pop up Christmas shop have a wide selection of gifts, food and Christmas lights and decorations. “Build your own” hampers available through out the year but

Bonnie Wild Scotland

Unique handmade

with

Buy the

from See

Purchase all

Lomond.

seelochlomond.co.uk

merry milngavie reindeer parade

Milngavie’s town centre precinct will be the focal point of festive fun as the Cairngorm Reindeer make their guest appearance with Santa for the annual parade.

The event from 12 noon to 5pm on Saturday 26 November is set up to launch the festive gifting season, to encourage people to ‘Shop Local’ and ‘ThinkLocalFirst’ by purchasing gifts from local businesses in Milngavie.

The Reindeer Parade will start at 3pm from Station Road and head through the precinct, past the start of the West Highland Way, the iconic clock and down the Main Street before heading back to the Reindeer Penn in Mugdock Road, where visitors can view the reindeer close up.

This free, family event is once again being funded by all the businesses in the town, through their annual levy to the Milngavie Business Improvement District (BID). It will feature live entertainment on the main stage, with local carol singers and other community groups performing on the build up to the lights switch on at 5pm.

There will be festive characters roaming the streets to entertain everyone, as well as festive face painters and balloon modellers for the kids. Santa’s Grotto will be stationed at the Waypoint, to make sure all the children’s Christmas messages are received; and festive cake making will be taking place in the Fraser Centre, thanks to local business Honeybee Bakery.

Elaine Mosson owner of Avec Panache, said “As business owners we look forward to hosting the annual festive event in Milngavie. The atmosphere is amazing, and we just love to see the excited faces of all the children when they see the real reindeer and Santa close up.”

This year will also see further festive lighting improvements that have been funded by the Milngavie BID business owners. This is part of the local businesses’ ongoing commitment to their businesses in Milngavie.

Families are welcome to come along to enjoy the festivities and soak up the atmosphere to get into the Christmas spirit. Two lucky children will also be chosen to ride of Santa’s Sleigh during the parade. Look out on Facebook. com/milngaviebid about how to nominate a family member or friend.

Park Life Christmas & Festive Events

Drymen Open Doors Project

Mon 12pm-3pm, Tue 2pm-5pm, Wed 10.30am-12.30pm and Fri 10am-5pm (All days at Drymen Village Hall apart from Wednesdays when at Drymen Church)

Drymen Village Hall is throwing open its doors to the community this winter. So come on in from the cold and have a chat, join in some of our activities, or even do some work with free WIFI. Financial advice will also be available regularly from visiting community organisations. Refreshments provided.

SWT Callander group

10 November 7.30pm

‘Beaver Translocation to Argaty’ talk by Tom Bowser, St Andrew’s Church Hall

Callander & West

Perthshire Rotary

19 November 2pm

Christmas Coffee, Lunch and Crafts, Kirk Hall, Callander.

Callander Film Society

20th November 7.30pm

A screening of ‘Another Round’, doors open 7pm Callander Hostel, free for members, £5 for non-members.

Fintry Panto

Babes in the Wood

24th-26th November & 1st-3rd December

Fintry Amateur Dramatic Society's annual panto 'Babes in the Wood'! is at Menzies Hall is from Curtain up at 7.30 pm, with an additional matinee performance on both Saturdays at 2 pm. Tickets are on sale at fintrydrama.org.uk

Christmas Spectacular at Blair Drummond

25th November- 23rd December

Experience a magical family day out at Blair Drummond Safari Park with their Christmas market, dinosaur illuminations, festive fairground rides, Santa procession and much more.

Drymen Christmas Market

26th November 10am – 4pm

A day of festive fun at Drymen village hall! Start your Christmas shopping with gifts available from local small businesses, food, drink, and Christmas carols. Free entry.

Drymen Art Club Sale

26th November 9am-5pm

The members of Drymen Art Club have a One Day sale of their original paintings at Winnock Hotel. This is a marvellous opportunity to do Christmas shopping for a unique present for a loved one or yourself. Admission free.

Callander Christmas Fair

26 November 10am-2pm

Crafts, gifts and refreshments at St Andrew’s Church Hall Callander.

Cameron House Christmas Market

26th & 27th November 12pm-6pm

Visit Cameron House's Festive Market in their brand-new Ballroom. Experience twinkling lights, mulled wine, a festive atmosphere, and gorgeous unique gift popup shops.

Park Life Christmas & Festive Events

Maw Goose Panto at Macrobert Stirling

2nd – 31st December

It’s panto time at Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling. Boo, hiss, and sing along with your friends and family to Maw Goose this festive season!

Callander Christmas Light Switch-On

3rd December

Christmas Fair and Lights switch on at Ancaster Square, Callander.

Loch Lomond Shores

Sat 3rd & Sun 4th December 10am-4pm A free Christmas festival at Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch.

Cinderella Panto at Mugdock Country Park

3rd-28th December

Join Fizzgig for another of their hysterical family pantos at Mugdock Country Park this festive season as they present Cinderella!

Granny Claus at Beniew Garden Centre

3rd-4th December

Granny Claus' Cosy Corner at Benview Garden Centre. Festive fun, including storytime with Granny Claus, who may just share some of Santa's secrets! The cheeky elves will be there too.

Meet Santa at The Oak Tree Inn, Balmaha

Selected days from 3rd-24th December

The Santa experience and Grotto will be open on selected days with gifts, festive food & drink and a small Christmas market.

Callander Film Society

11th December

‘The Duke’ screening at 7.30pm, doors open 7pm Callander Hostel, free for members, £5 for non-members.

Strathendrick Singers Christmas Concert

11th December

Strathendrick Singers Christmas concert at Killearn Kirk starts at 7pm and includes Chilcott's "On Christmas Night" and other carols, old and new. Seasonal refreshments during the interval. Tickets are £10 for adults and £3 for children on the door or from choir members.

Send your 2023 What’s On Information details to lisa@parklifescotland.co.uk to be included in future editions.

Jane Meek - Body Control Pilates & Feldenkrais

Online classes will continue into the Winter. Contact Jane for details of face-to-face Pilates classes in Blanefield and elsewhere, 07759 182236 or email janemmeek@gmail.com

Tall Trees - Lindas Body Control Pilates

Linda teaches throughout the week in Gartmore, Killearn and on Zoom. Contact for more details and updates - 07758 496820 email@talltreesaberfoyle.co.uk

Dancercise with Yasmin – Adult Dance Fitness Classes

Morning Classes – Low-impact classes, especially suited for Active Seniors/Beginners

Tuesday 10am – Buchlyvie Village Hall

Fridays 10am – Killearn Village Hall

Evening Class – Energetic class for all ages with all types of dance moves for a full body work-out Thursdays 7pm – Killearn Village Hall

For more info please contact Yasmin 07979856837 or email yasmin@throthegrapevine.co.uk

Zumba with Jane

Everybody Welcome, Saturdays have returned to live classes at Village Club Strathblane 10am-11am(£6), Sunday 9.30am-10.30 virtual classes(£5) Just send an e mail via Facebook to get added to the groups and for updates. Tel 07968 968944

Shona Nicolson Zest Fitness

Circuits Tues 12.15pm - 1pm , Kettlebell Classes Thurs 12.15pm - 1pm, Personal Training, STRONG Nation, Jogscotland Mums on the Run buggy fit group. Westerton Farm, Killearn, 07725 332893 info@zestfitnesstraining.co.uk www.zestfitnesstraining.co.uk

Dragon Spring

Taiji & Qigong with Suzanne Lin Jensen. Classes at St Andrew’s Church Hall Milngavie & Bearsden Cross Church. Contact for more details and to book07979 860754, susanne@dragonspringtaiji.co.uk

Aspiral

One to one tailor made Gyrotonic sessions. Suitable for people from all walks of life regardless of age or physical ability. Contact 07500 213473, lorna.aspiral@gmail.com

The Oak Tree Inn Turns 25!

Can you believe The Oak Tree Inn is 25 years old this month? Park Life is celebrating this fantastic milestone with a special extended feature on the popular local business.

Werecently met with Stuart Fraser, who shared some stories and photographs of those early days and talked about some of the highlights from the first 25 years. Stuart’s parents Sandy and Lucy built the Oak Tree in 1997, with all their eight children, James, Stuart, David, Emma, Sandy, Nina, Holly and Ben, each playing an essential role in its enormous success. (The picture above of all the family was taken for an early press feature.)

Sandy and Lucy were determined to improve Balmaha's reputation by opening a quality hospitality business. They bought the site, a former bus terminus (if you visit St Mocha, you can see the 1954 planning application for

Pictured left to right: David Fraser, Big Ann, Kristy Campbell & Eric Day

that!); they built The Oak Tree using locally quarried slate. Son James supervised the building works and was the night watchman for the site.

Tragically in 1999, James and his friend Dan lost their lives in a fire at the student accommodation they were staying in whilst studying in Glasgow, a preventable accident if the landlord had installed a smoke detector. Over the years, the family have promoted the importance of smoke detectors, hoping to prevent similar tragedies. Two of the Oak Tree’s accommodation cottages are named after James and Dan.

When the pub opened in 1997, James ran the bar, and Stuart left school to work in the kitchen, joining its larger-than-life first Head Chef Kenny Keegan. Previously Stuart had worked for several other local hospitality businesses, bringing that experience with him, including his own café venture, a forerunner for future St Mocha's!

Stuart feels the Oak Tree has helped keep the family close, with brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews calling by daily. Of course, the Oak Tree family extends to the staff, many of whom have spent over two decades at the business, including Kirsty Campbell and Agnes Friar.

The Oak Tree is the largest employer in East Loch Lomond, with 150 staff members. It has given many young people their first work experience with part time jobs. People have come from many countries to work there, including Poland, Lithuania, and South Africa.

Sandy and Lucy created the perfect ambience for the pub and restaurant. Their first bank manager argued that there should be a TV showing football, something that Sandy astutely refused to do. The Oak Tree has been helped by increasing popularity of the West Highland Way, which passes by. Their 'Muddy Boots Welcome' sign is appreciated by many walkers calling by for food, drink or a bed for the night.

Recognition of the success of the Oak Tree has come in many forms, including a series of prestigious awards. Twice voted Scotland's Pub of the Year, finalist of Gastro Pub of the Year 2022, Family Business of the Year, and most recently a deserved Lifetime Achievement Award, plus accolades for the businesses sustainable initiatives.

Perhaps the best endorsement came a few years ago when VisitScotland featured the Oak Tree in a global TV commercial showcasing the business's warm welcome as a great example of Scotland's hospitality.

Sandy Fraser

Recent picture of the growing Fraser Family

Sandy and Lucy's hard-working ethic, entrepreneurial spirit and friendly nature is shared by their children, who have each introduced ideas to improve the business.

The site has 41 rooms with accommodation spread across a series of cottages and above the inn. The incredibly popular St Mocha Coffee shop opened in 2014, roasting its own coffee on-site. So popular was St Mocha that other outlets can be found at Aberfoyle and Carbeth, the first drive-thru artisan speciality coffee shop in Scotland.

St Mocha was the vision of Stuart and David Fraser; they have been the driving force in that and other recent ventures. For example, a few years ago, they created 'Balmaha's Braw Weekend', a festival on the banks of Loch Lomond. Over 10,000 people came that weekend to enjoy live music, fairground rides and of course great food and drink.

David & Stuart Fraser

Lifetime Achievement for hospitality and tourism awarded in 2021

A few years ago Sandy introduced a new disabled accessible pontoon to allow more people to be able to travel by water across Loch Lomond. Before that Stuart and David created a village shop with groceries, gifts, and items to serve locals and visitors. This was especially welcomed by walkers as previously there nearest shop was four miles away.

The Frasers are also responsible for the significant improvements to Balmaha, and Sandy can often be found watering hanging baskets that help make the village look so pretty.

The Frasers are great supporters of charities, including helping charity Friends of Loch Lomond & Trossachs to establish the Tom Weir Statue site. The family maintain the popular site, which formerly was waste land.

The Oak Tree promotes itself not just as a restaurant, shop, and coffee shop but as the 'Balmaha Experience'.

The Frasers work hard to ensure that every aspect of a visit to Balmaha will be enjoyable and positive. That was the vision that Sandy and Lucy had in the mid-1990s. Even with their vast optimism, little did they think that 25 years on, they would have such as well-known and loved business as they do.

Congratulations to The Oak Tree Inn on your 25th anniversary from Katrina, Lisa, Paul and Simon at Park Life Magazine.

Lucy Fraser has championed many charity events at the Oak Tree, including encouraging donations to Calum's

Cabin via the wishing well. Over the years, thousands of pounds have been raised at the Oak Tree Inn to benefit good causes.

Balmaha’s Braw Weekend

Opening of Balmaha Pontoon

Lucy Fraser

Stuart, Ben, Sandy & David Fraser

a

pathway to community success

Completed in Spring, Lomond Trail has been attracting visitors, new and old, to RSPB Loch Lomond all summer. We have been blown away with the feedback we have received about the trail so far. The project centred around providing increased access to all, acting as an asset to the wider community and enabling more people to have more connections with nature.

Since opening, we have seen visitor numbers double and have collected a plethora of five-star reviews; “Great to join up these two amazing parts of the reserve, fantastic addition” “Will be back time and time again. Back to nature here'”

Our community outreach work continues to provide opportunities for local groups to engage in our conservation work through meaningful learning experiences. Working with Tullochan, a local organisation providing youth work services, we have hosted school groups from across West Dunbartonshire at the reserve. To date, 170 pupils have visited us to enjoying pond dipping, as part of their learning for the RPSB Wild Challenge Award. Following this, we ran 6 ‘out-ofschool’ sessions for Tullochan families to participate in nature-based play activities throughout the summer holidays. In partnership, we have also supported a young adult to take part in an 8-week work experience

placement at the reserve, learning practical maintenance skills and survey techniques, as a taster to a career in nature conservation.

Maintenance and Nature Conservation Skills. We work with Choices School to provide ongoing opportunities for learning onsite. The pupils and staff worked hard to make us some beautiful new planters for our welcome area using recycled pallets and we have plans for some more old pallets to be given new life!

We ‘officially’ opened Lomond Trail in September, inviting along people who have supported the project, from funders and doners to community group representatives, staff, and volunteers from all the partner organisations. It was a fitting celebration for everyone who dedicated energy into making this project an enormous success. The Highlight of the day had to be young Oscar, supported through CHAS, ‘cutting the ribbon’ in true style!

We have been working with Children’s Hospices Around Scotland (CHAS), delivering natural arts and crafts sessions at Robin House alongside staff for resident children. As well as hosting sibling support sessions at the reserve, with nature-themed activities. Lomond Trail was designed with accessibility in mind, and it was wonderful to be able to welcome the children and families that CHAS support onsite for some family fun days. Project funding, enabled us to hire a mobile Changing Places toilet through Pamiloo, further supporting families during their visits and making sure nature is accessible to all.

It is truly amazing that the addition of this new pathway has been able to deliver so much community success and support. We are continuing our community outreach work, with students supported through Green Routes currently undertaking a work experience placement in Path

We hope to continue to welcome more people from a more diverse audience to experience nature at the reserve and throughout the winter we have an exciting line-up of events including ever-popular lantern event ‘Illuminate’, Guided Goose Walks and Robin Robin Christmas Activity Trail visit: https:// events.rspb.org.uk/lochlomond

Project supported through funding from, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Brown Forbes Memorial Fund, the Horace and Helen Gillman Trusts, and the RSPB.

Accounting, Business & Legal

Baxter Accounting 46

Drymen Business Hub 46 Sykam & Co Chartered Accountants 46 Activities,Entertainment & Education

Buchanan Castle Golf Club57 CFE Learning 5 Country Cycles Killearn 45 Classics at Kippen 49 Loch Katrine Cruises 3 Mugdock 32 & 33 Macroberts Art Centre35 Milngavie events 39 Car Hire JGM Executive Travel 64 Electrical Buchlyvie Electrical 66 Stewart Hollington 66 Food Drink & Accommodation

But and Ben 28 Callander Drinks Company (hardwater ltd) 30

Cameron House Hotel 29 Colessio 40 & 41

House for an Art Lover 31 Nick's 25 The Oak Tree Inn 2 The Karma 27 Town & Country 30 Funeral Services Andrew Anderson & Sons 62 Archibald Billet 67 John Coubrough Funeral Directors 64

Gardening, Outdoors & Xmas Trees Benview Garden Centre 24 Craig Tree Services 22 Cruachan Landscaping 15 Duff Xmas Trees 38 Dugie Clark Clachan Mhor 15 DH Gardening 9 Fraser Robb 22 Glasgow Arborists 8 Haggerty Plant and Landscaping 22

John Currie Brick and Stonework 17 Loch Ard Land Services 16 Lomond Stump Removal 20 Lorimer Tree & Landscape 16 Macintosh Fencing 17 Paterson Garden Buildings Ltd 14 S.Marshall Gardening Services 14 Scotia Contracts Ltd 21 Sorbus Tree Service 16 T D Trees 17 Tradstocks 24 Health & Wellbeing Tir Na Nog 34 Homes & Interiors, Gifts Apollo Blinds 63 Bonnie Wild Scotland 49 Edge of wood 55 Colin Johnson Traditional Upholstery 51 Garolla Rollar Shutter Doors 51 J Walker Interiors 49 Moon 35 Panik Gallery 51 Stellar Antiques 50

Trend Transformatiions 4

Two Ravens Forge 14

Laundry Services

The Laundry Lady 56 Logs & Fuels

Wood for Fuel/ Percy Ltd 7 Painters & Decorators

Blain Painters 67 Strathendrick Decorators 49

Pet Services/Supplies

McCaskie Country Stores 59

Jacksons Vets 62

Photography/Graphics/Art Galleries

Paul Saunders Media & Photography 68 Smithy Art Gallery 44 Skep Design 71 Property Rettie 72 Trades & Services Aberfoyle Satellite Company 65 Adrian Pirie 56 Bathroom Transformations 9 Drymen Tiling 65 Dunrite Plumbing 65 GS Roofing Ltd 69 Garolla Rollar Shutter Doors 51 Heat Pump Guide 12 & 13

Head Roof Cleaning 63

Homeworx Killearn 67 LockForce 66 Power Doors 65 PN Tiling 66 RM Contractors 66

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