Sarah Foster and husband Mark took their two boys, Ollie the Collie and Bumble the springador, away from their busy working lives for a few days
Glamping Pods
You would be forgiven for thinking this tree-strewn mountainous backdrop and glacial water that reflects the ever-changing skies was perhaps in Scandinavia, but you’d be wrong. This is Loch Tay Highland Lodges & Glamping Park, in the south-west highlands of Scotland. A stunning location that is ideal for a relaxing break in one of the wood lodges, timber en suite glamping pods or camping domes. For larger groups, you can even rent one of the three houses on site and, if hot- tubs are your thing, many of the accommodations have these available, including the camping and glamping pods. For the more adventurous, there are activities available including paddle boarding, fishing boat hire, archery, disc golf and more. We left our home in the relatively flat landscape of Lincolnshire with an itinerary planned to allow for a couple of stops along the way. Our first was at Appleby-in-Westmorland, where we visited the Royal Oak Inn for a spot of lunch. This charming inn has seating both indoors and out, and your dogs are welcome in either. Their menu offers both light bites, including sandwiches or coffee and cake, or a full cooked meal. It was also a great opportunity to stretch our legs. At our next stop, The Tea House on the Loch at Johnston Loch, Gartcosh, we received a heartfelt Scottish welcome. Ollie and Bumble were treated like royalty by the staff with cuddles a-plenty, several biscuits and a puppuccino each. This is a pretty place with floral decorations, polka dot table cloths and some tempting gifts for sale. We had a nice cup of tea and a cheeky slice of cake to keep us going for the last couple of hours of our drive. As we rounded a bend, we got a glimpse of Loch Tay and we were excited to see our home for the next four nights. It was a little after 5pm when we arrived and, as the main reception is closed at this time, we picked up our key and site map from a small room tacked onto the side of the main reception lodge. Finding the name of our cabin, Acharn Rocks on the map, we followed the narrow road around a hairpin bend down to where the lodges are sited. There are several different-sized lodges in this area, spaced so as not to encroach on neighbours, each with a parking space for one car and all with stunning views towards the loch.
Sitting Room in the Lodge
ACHARN ROCKS
Stepping up onto the decking, the A-frame glazed entrance gave us an epic outlook, It’s not the Caribbean, but this will do! even on the slightly overcast evening that we had arrived on. There’s an ample-sized open plan reception area containing the kitchen, dining and lounging spaces. There was a wall-mounted log burner complete with a bag of logs, sticks and fire-lighters. For relaxing there was a big, squishy sofa opposite the wall-mounted TV, and off the rear hallway are the main bathroom, three bedrooms(a double and two twins) and a store cupboard. Our double bedroom had a small en-suite shower room. Towels and bedding are included and, in the kitchen, there was a small box with some mini kitchen cleaning essentials, enough to last us few days. The land sloped away from our lodge down to the loch, making the site perfect for tiering the various lodges. Our lodge was at the back with a perfect view of the loch, one that we will remember forever (or at least until we return!). At the back of our lodge was a wooded area and a stream. We took a stroll down to the cobbled beach via the large grassy area. After getting our bearings, we dropped into The Boathouse restaurant and bar, located next to the loch. Dogs are welcomed here, which is good as pets cannot be left alone in the accommodation. We enjoyed a wee dram and booked a table for dinner for the following evening before retiring for the night to our lodge.
Lawers Dam
THE SUN’S OUT
Day two, the sun kissed our side decking as it rose behind our lodge and we enjoyed spending a little time relaxing there with a mug of tea before starting our day. We decided not to stray too far and took the short drive to Finlarig Castle, Killin, parking up in the small car park opposite the old graveyard. Walking a few yards from the car, we glimpsed a stone structure through the thicket of trees, Finlarig Castle. The castle is privately owned and the path through the trees is uneven but there is a sign that says visitors are welcome to look around, just don’t climb on the remains of the castle. It’s a tranquil spot with only the sounds of birds twittering and bees humming. The sun gleamed through the overhanging branches illuminating the dandelion seeds like little jewels as they floated by. We followed the narrow tree-cloaked road for about 20 minutes to a gateway which accessed the west end of Loch Tay and the small, sandy beach. The temperature had risen to a balmy 21C and it was the perfect opportunity to let Ollie and Bumble have some fun in the water. In the afternoon we drove the short distance to The Falls of Dochart and enjoyed a coffee at the Dochart Inn and Tea-room, where dogs are welcomed at seating both inside and out. We strolled around the village, snapping pictures of the falls and checking out the gift shop on the main road and at the Old Mill, which sells locally made items. We ended our day at the on-site restaurant and were pleased we had booked a table as it was busy. The food was excellent and I got to enjoy one of my favourite Scottish recipes, cullen skink, a delightful smoked haddock and potato soup, while my partner, Mark, tucked into haggis, neeps and tatties.
Finlarig Castle
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
Next day, our luck was in as we rose to another gloriously sunny day. The park was serene, even though lots of the lodges were occupied. We sat on our deck with the sun on our backs as a little family of ducks waddled by. A blackbird with a beak full, watched us, watching her and the groundsman trundled past on his little buggy and nodded. The loch, like a mirror, reflected the surrounding landscape and blue sky until a seagull landed disturbing the top with ripples that cast to shore. It was hard to tear away from this tranquillity but we had more adventures planned. In the car we set off taking a right out of the park onto the A827, then, after a few hundred yards, took a left heading up the single-track road that had caught Mark’s attention the previous day. Anything sign- posted as ‘unsuitable for caravans, buses and HGVs’, is always a call to adventure for Mark; for me, it’s my willingness to trust his driving. This route is incredibly scenic, heading up to Lawers Dam and the Meggernie Estate. There are several parking areas along the way, so lots of opportunities to walk and explore on foot. Ollie and Bumble, leaned out of the windows, their ears flapping as they watched lambs frolicking around the rocky landscape that was interspersed with flashes of bright yellow gorse bushes. Eventually, we arrived at Tummel Bridge which is part of the hydro- electric power scheme. We parked up and had a stroll to the old stone bridge over the river. Our next stop was the House of Bruar shopping complex. We enjoyed fish and chips in the outside seating area before settingoff on the circular walk, The Falls of Bruar. It has steep gravel paths that can be a little slippery and sheer drops with no barriers, but the reward for reaching the top are the spectacular views. The falls are tiered with pools of water along the route but don’t take your swimsuit, as access is too dangerous. At the end of our walk, I picked up some cheese, pate, pickles and crackers from the deli store. None of the shops are dog friendly here, so if you want a bit of retail therapy, you’ll need to take turns. At the end of our day, we had a paddle in Loch Tay, perfect for cooling off tired feet.
West Loch Tay – Water Fun!
THE LAST DAY
On our morning park stroll, we came across a deer who was courteous enough to stop for a photo. We’d picked out another circular walk, at Bracklin Falls, for our last day. The first section takes you to the pools of water and the bridge over the falls. The water was crystal clear, although lacking in volume because of the recent absence of rainfall. You can stop the walk here and go back the way you came but as we felt a little adventurous, we opted to carry on for the full circle, another 3.6 miles. This was a tough walk. After we crossed the bridge, we began the steep ascent on the narrow and uneven footpaths, leaving the falls behind us and heading up into the woodland. It’s peaceful but eerie at the same time. We paused (regularly) to look up to the sky as we were surrounded by an abundance of incredibly tall fir trees that creaked as they gently swayed. There’d be an occasional rustle in the undergrowth as some wild animal went about their daily chores and our boys would twitch their ears and stare into the forest. When we neared the higher parts of the walk, the inclines were more subtle and a little easier on the legs. Eventually, the trees gave way and we emerged feeling like we were on top of the world. While this route was a little testing at times, the views made it worth every ache. From this point, you’ll find, the walk is more gentle heading back down through the sheep dotted hillside, eventually ending up on a tarmac track for the last part back to the car park. On our last evening, we got to enjoy another delightful meal at The Boathouse while Ollie and Bumble slept under the table.
Taking in the Views
FACT FILE
Loch Tay Hightland Lodges
ADDRESS Milton Morenish Estate, Killin, FK21 8TY
CONTACT Via website or phone 01567 820323
PRICE Midweekbreaks: Classic Lodge 2 bedroom (sleeps 4) arriving Monday 10th November, staying 4 nights, £491. Premium Lodge 4 bedroom (sleeps 8) arriving Monday 10th November, staying 4 nights £663.
Weekend Breaks: Cabin 1 bedroom, hot tub (sleeps 2 adults and 2 children upto 12yrs) Friday 28th November, 3 nights, £514. Signature Plus Lodge 3 bedroom, hot tub (sleeps 6) Friday 28th November, staying for 3 nights, £803
WEBSITE lochtay-vacations.co.uk
