May is National Walking Month, which came about to remind us of the benefits of walking and taking ourselves away from the screens and the ‘to do’ lists. It is a way to encourage everyone to walk more, no matter what our level of fitness is. Continue reading
Happy International Dance Day, a celebration for anyone who loves to dance. It is hard to believe how many places frown upon or outright ban the act of dancing. We believe that life is for dancing and agree with Chicago teen Ren McCormack, who stood up for the medium of dance in the hard-hitting 1984 documentary Footloose.
Dance opens up the freedom of creativity. We express our emotions when we dance, which are feelings some people try to suppress. Ignoring our emotions is not healthy, but sometimes people do not feel comfortable sharing that part of themselves. Dance expresses emotions like joy, pain, nostalgia, and many more. Creatively, dance also allows people to interpret how the music makes them feel whether it is through choreography or the meaning of their dance.
Dancing encourages us to be brave when trying new things and to get out of that comfort zone, which can be very useful in the outside world.
At Gartmore House we embrace music as often as possible. We offer a number of musical breaks such as our dancing weekend. Teresa Mcclymont from Dance Time Scotland offers our guests the chance to learn ballroom dancing, swing, country and modern Jazz.
Teresa has been a dance teacher from the age of 17. She has trained and competed around the world in Line-dancing and couple’s country dancing having lots of success at an advance level winning numerous titles, which include the Scottish and British Championship.
Music is the soundtrack of life and there is no doubt about it that it gives us a boost. Scientific studies show that music releases dopamine, the feel-good chemical in the brain. Further research found that dopamine was up to 9% higher when volunteers listened to music that they enjoyed. Dancing is great for the soul and of course it is also fantastic exercise. Why not come and join us for some dancing at Gartmore House?
To make a reservation please BOOK ONLINE or contact our team:
T: 01877 382991 | E: mail@gartmorehouse.com
April is National Stress Awareness Month which impacts all of us. We all experience feelings of stress and anxiety, be those feelings mild or intense. Knowing that this is normal is a great starting point. Here are our top 10 tips to deal with stress. Continue reading
Spring is upon us and it is time to turn down the fire, get back outside and embrace new adventures. Here are 10 reasons why we love spring.
1. Longer Days
With daylight savings, there’s plenty of opportunity to enjoy evening walks or even a coffee outdoors, for an essential fix of vitamin D.
2. Exercise is easier
It can be very easy to make excuses, even though we know the benefits of leading an active lifestyle. Winter can often feel too cold and dark. Outdoor activities become far more pleasant and the lighter nights and mornings make it easier to leave the house.
3. Skin
Dry skin can be a nightmare for many over the winter months, caused by wind and low temperatures. Spring is the opportunity to get the glow back.
4. Time to get social
Bye bye winter hibernation with hot drinks and Netflix, Spring is a time for us to get back outside and socialise.
5. Fresh ingredients
Hello to a new array of wonderful dishes, such as asparagus, strawberries, fresh herbs and lamb. Happy cooking.
6. Goodbye winter bugs
Hopefully by now most of those nasty bugs are long gone and it’s time to embrace new exciting adventures away from the sofa.
7. Spring Break
Spring is a great time of year to take a break. Have a look at our spring break offer. Enjoy a bottle of Prosecco on arrival, accommodation, 3-course dinner and full Scottish breakfast for just £85 per room per night (based on two adults sharing).
8. Spring Clean
A good spring clean offers a number of benefits, both mental and physical. A good clear out helps us to clear out the cobwebs both literally and figuratively. Open the windows to let in some fresh air, play your favourite songs and declutter.
9. Blossom on the trees
As we watch pretty pink and white flowers burst into bloom, Spring is a season to be around nature, trees and plantlife.
10. Hobbies
Spring is a great opportunity to set new goals and pick up a new hobbie such as running, gardening or crafting.
Read our top 10 walks around Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. A fantastic place to go walking and exploring all year round.
Starting from Loch Achray follow forestry tracks to reach the hill path which follows Glen Riabhach up onto the shoulder of Ben Venue. If time and weather permits you can go up to the summit before dropping down Ledard Glen to reach Kinlochard. (6 miles & 2000’ of ascent).
Starting at Inversnaid, make your way along shared mountain bike paths and roads to Trossachs pier, taking care on the steep rough path that makes up the first section of this route. At just less than 18 miles long, expect this route to take around eight hours to complete so be sure to dress accordingly and take plenty of provisions for the journey.
There’s plenty to see on The Aber Trail which starts at Millennium Hall and ends at Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve. From alder and ash trees to buzzards, wood warblers and tree pipits, this is a wonderful route for nature-lovers.
With a fairly smooth terrain and little navigation required, Ben Lomond is one of the easiest Munros – in fact, it’s so popular with walkers that it’s one of Scotland’s most-climbed hills, second to Ben Nevis. If you’re looking for a more peaceful stroll, there are several alternative routes to try which are less populated, such as the Ptarmigan route which offers a fine descent.
Explore Aberfoyle to Brig o’ Turk, via the Menteith Hills. Depending on the weather, you can go over the hills themselves or follow the lower level route below them. (Up to 9 miles & 2000’ of ascent – depending on exact route taken).
If you want a good weeks worth of walking around Loch Lomond, then the Rob Roy Way is for you. Starting from Drymen close to the south east corner of Loch Lomond, this Scottish Great Trail can be either 77 or 94 miles dependent on the route option along Loch Tay. You’ll be met with truly breath-taking scenic views along the way.
This gentle walk offers a wonderful taste of the beautiful landscape around Killin including woodlands, Loch Tay and the towering Tarmachan Ridge.
This secnic route starts from Graham’s Point Heritage Park and follows forest paths and roads before it becomes a faint path onto the open hill.
The route starts from north Ancaster square, Callander. Turn right into Main Street and then left at traffic lghts into Bridge Street. Just before the bridge follow the path to the right into the Meadows car park and continue beside the River Teith. Join the surfaced path and walk south along the river bank with views of Ben Ledi to the west.
A great mid-level walk just north of Callander through varied woodland to the Bracklinn bridge with views over the Bracklin Falls and gorge below. The path crosses back over the Keltie Water at a wide pool known as Scout Pool and returns to the car park by a minor road.
There you have it. This is just a small snapshot of the many stunning walks that The Trossachs has to offer. Why not book one of our guided walking breaks at Gartmore House and come and explore the area.
Please ensure when walking or hiking in the Scottish countryside you are prepared and respect the land around you. Find out more about staying safe in the park.
They say that true happiness is made from experiences and moments over material things. With Valentine’s Day upon us, why not treat a loved one to an activity break gift voucher at Gartmore House? Located in the stunning Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Gartmore is a quirky estate offering a range of popular activity breaks. Guests can choose from options such as crafting, painting, singing breaks and foraging for the foodie.
Activity breaks at Gartmore are designed for guests to escape from the fast paced life. A break at Gartmore includes delicious home cooked food and a large roaring fire looking out over breath-taking Scottish views. A perfect location to embrace a new passion or learn a new skill. Gartmore House is an 18th century country house with views that stretch 25 miles across to Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument.
For further information and to purchase gift vouchers at Gartmore House visit www.www.gartmoreestate.com
If you fancy a wee Valentine’s weekend away with your loved one why not book our Winter Deal. You will enjoy a bottle of Prosecco in your room on arrival, accommodation with stunning views over The Trossachs, a 3-course dinner to tantalise your taste buds and full Scottish breakfast the next morning – all for just £89 per room per night.
Book online today or call the team on 01877 382 991
Happy Inspire Your Heart With Art Day! We love art here at Gartmore House, and offer a range of art breaks to get those creative juices flowing. From watercolour painting holidays to felting courses , we have it covered.
Inspire Your Heart With Art Day is an opportunity to reflect on how art is good for the soul. Art has many benefits for our mental well-being.
Art can move us to tears, or laughter and it can transport us to magical places. Art has the power to inspire us and it is a very healthy activity to take part in to encourage mindfulness. The statistics show us that taking time to relax and get creative, away from our screens, is fantastic for our mental health.
Art teaches us to generate a love for learning and creativity, it helps to support our brain development. Art is also fantastic for our problem-solving skills and is thought to improve our emotional intelligence. We would love to hear from you – what is your favourite type of art? Do you have a favourite artist?
Why not treat yourself to one of our creative activity breaks at Gartmore House?
To make a booking call us on 01877 382991 or email mail@gartmorehouse.com
Burns Day is a special and significant event here at Gartmore House. Since our quirky, atmospheric house was built by William Adam in 1793, it has hosted many a national treasure. One of those being Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns, who has written and entertained in our lounge. It is thrilling to know that Gartmore is a place that inspired some of his fantastic work.
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and lyricist who is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland. Burns day is a fantastic Scottish celebration, which often includes a supper of Haggis. For those of you still to try this Scottish delight, Haggis is a type of sausage prepared in a sheep’s stomach that is minced with onion, oatmeal, suet (raw beef or lamb fat), spices, and salt, mixed with stock. Often this is served with turnips and potatoes, otherwise known as neeps and tatties if you’re a true Scot. The haggis is typically piped in by the diners with a standing slow clap before the recital of Robert Burns Famous prayer:
Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat
Sae let the Lord be thankit.
As an accompaniment to the burns supper celebration, Scotch whiskey is the ideal drink. For dessert many will delve into the traditional cranachan (a mixture of whipped cream, whisky, honey and fresh raspberries, with toasted oatmeal). The evening will likely feature speeches and further poetry recitals.
Scotland is a country full of history, excellent food and breath-taking scenery. Why not come and visit us and spend some time relaxing in the lounge where Robert Burns worked and entertained. We look forward to welcoming you soon and sharing more Scottish history with you.
Find out more about Gartmore House.
Scotland is full of wonderful wild foods and at Gartmore Estate we love to get our hands on these rich pickings of Scottish foraging. Our local wild foods are some of the finest and most natural ingredients here in Scotland. Continue reading