Built in 1845 in the heart of Rob Roy country the house formed part of the Stronvar Estate owned by David Carnegie. The wooden part of the house was originally built as a library for the estate workers in an attempt to keep them out of the pub!! the house school and church were built from hand chiseled stone to resemble Swedish log houses.
It now forms a much loved, warm, unique space to gather with family and friends. The house is perfect for birthday celebrations, hen parties, business meetings, weddings and elopements, wellness retreats, family holidays, film location or any get togethers
Set in the heart of loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park surrounded by lochs, rivers, mountains and glens, steeped in ancient history the old pink library is a welcoming warm relaxed proper family home, a retreat from hectic everyday life. Artsy, bohemian, quirky, relaxed, unpretentious nothing is particularly perfect. Feel at home, kick off your boots and sink in to a big comfy sofa or light some candles, sit round the old table, talk, drink, eat, laugh, and play some old fashioned games and reconnect with family and friends as the fire crackles in the background.
The house is historic but has all mod cons and lots of thoughtful touches the kitchen is properly equipped , two dishwashers two fridges, two ovens and proper cooking equipment including sharp knives and a microplane, olive oil Maldon salt pepper tea and coffee beans and much more are all provided free of charge .
There is an open fire in the lounge and a fire pit on the terrace with logs and kindling being plentiful and free.
The terrace is a delightful enclosed space with new comfy seating, a huge dining table, parasols, a proper barbecue great views and is south facing. Festoon lights provide atmosphere in the evenings when you’re not gazing at the stars and milky way in an unpolluted night sky.We often see shooting stars and occasionally spectacular northern lights. The terrace is planted with scented plants and herbs feel free to help yourself to flowers or herbs we also have a giant bed of wild strawberries.
The beds are comfy and have great quality bedlinen.The towels are soft, fluffy and plentiful . Hojne makes sure everything smells wonderful.
The showers are power showers and the bath is big enough for two .The room with the bath has loads of room to hang out together and get ready with two huge comfy chairs. We provide quality shampoo and conditioner and a fine selection of bath oils .We also provide candles and board games and a great selection of mostly cookery books . Speakers throughout the house take care of your soundtrack needs. There is underfloor heating throughout the ground floor and its particularly cosy in the depth of winter. Antiques and quirky touches abound and make people feel at home. We are dog friendly .
We are very easy to get to its just over an hour from Glasgow, take the scenic backroad via Aberfoyle and stop off at Nick’s a lovely indoor, outdoor restaurant with fabulous gardens and great cooking, service and produce. You’ll find Nicks at Lake of Mentieth where Mary Queen of Scots took shelter on Inchmahome island, there is a seasonal ferry if you fancy visiting and the lake is very picturesque. Edinburgh and Perth are also just over an hour away . Fort William and Oban can be reached in under two hours with breathtaking scenery all the way . The house is a great base to appreciate some of the best parts of Scotland for longer stays and is a great stopover for Skye from Edinburgh I would recommend at least a two night stopoverto fully appreciate everything on offer in a relaxing way.
Walking
You will be surrounded by world class walks from the very easy but rewarding to seriously challenging Munros.
Across from the house behind the ancient church and rob roy Mcgregor's grave is the walk up to the clan McLaren's old gathering ground called Creag an Tuirc described as the best bang for your buck walk in Scotland by @Scotland’s Stories you can see a video on their socials.
There is a book in the house called Munros which gives specialist advice for tackling local mountains.
Cycling and mountain biking
Cycle route 7 is literally on the doorstep; it’s Bradley Wiggins favourite cycle route in the whole of the UK. There is a lovely quiet back road to Mhor84 where you can stop for a pint or something to eat .
There are fabulous mountain biking trails all around Aberfoyle (40 mins drive) is a premier, challenging mountain biking destination.This is Danny MacAskill’s stomping ground. Gravelfoyle is a great resource. The house was used as a base for shooting a top class mountain bike commercial.
Comrie Croft has bike trails and hire for all ages as well as a flower and organic vegetable farm, cafe and farm shop
Wild Swimming, paddle boarding and wellness
There is great swimming/paddleboarding a short walk from the house in Loch Voil or the river Tieth. Monachyle Mhor hotel the top of our glen has a sauna beside the loch which you can hire. Glen Etive in Glencoe offers amazing pools with a dive and deep channels, clear water and ancient pink granite boulders it features in Skyfall. The instagram famous pool at the meeting of the three waters is also in Glencoe. The falls of Falloch is at the top of loch Lomond its lovely big pool with a waterfall and is known as RobRoy’s bathtub. There are fabulous pools with a natural Jacuzzi just before Tyndrum. Loch Lubnaig and loch Lomond are also great for swimming and paddle boarding. Luss at loch Lomond has a beach and amazing sunrises and is a picture postcard village, Millarochy bay on Loch Lomond offers a beach and sunsets.The terrace or nearby glade by the loch are perfect for yoga or workouts and running is a joy.
Loch Tay has a unique sauna, plunge pool and slide into the loch called hotbox. There are spectacular waterfalls and pools at Acharn at the top of loch Tay with a lovely path, hermits cave and standing stones. Venechar loch side has a restaurant and wild sauna for hire in a beautiful setting.
Kayaking and white water rafting
lochs Voil ,Tay and Lubnaig are lovely places to Kayak and there is a great local kayak hire shop called Killin outdoor. Around Aberfeldy is the place for thrill seekers check out splash and beyond adventure there is plenty in the area for non kayakers too. The Highland Chocolatier for fabulous hot chocolate and hand made chocolates, the Taybank Inn ,the salmon leap and theatre at Pitlochry and the house of bruar known as the harrods of the north there is a lovely walk behind here called the falls of Bruar
Fishing
There is good fishing on loch Voil the River Balvaig and the Tieth on your doorstep. Baynes fishing shop in Callander will give you local tips.
There is world class fishing available on the river Tay and experts available to hire.
Stalking and clay pigeon shooting ,archery and falconry, wildlife
Contact Auchlyne estate to go stalking in the immediate area.
Loch Lomond shooting school provides a wide array activities
Check out hidden glen safaris run by lovely, highly amusing and knowledgeable local Alan Sneddon he’s been a guide for Princes Andrew and Harry who were regular visitors to Balquhidder until recently, there are golden eagles and herd of deer in the glen Alan knows where to find them . You can expect expect stunning scenery, amazing photo opportunities, wildlife and a laugh at Alan’s many brilliant stories.
I think its incredible value and he’ll pick you up from the house if you fancy a wee dram.
Monachyle Mhor offers farm tours .There is also a kinda crazy sounding activity called afternoon tea with naughty sheep which has consistent 5 star reviews nearby. In the field next to the house you will regularly see whole families of deer particularly early in the morning. Canada geese return here every year we have swallows which nest on the terrace every year. Its also nice to be surrounded by lambs and sheep.
Fabulous sunsets and sunrises are also commonplace.
Golf
In common with most of Scotland you are never far from a good course St Fillans is really lovely. It’s an hours drive to the award winning world class golf course at gleneagles, non golfers can find solace in the 5 star hotel.
Days out
Great days out for kids and grown ups under an hour away
Blairdrummond safari park and next door Briarlands strawberry farm. Crieff hydro, Go ape, Cycling and boat trip at Loch Katrine Loch Lomond boat trips at Tarbet, rent a boat from Balmaha Loch Lomond and visit wallaby island. Crieff hydro has lots of activities from pony riding to quads.Action Adventure Activities for off road and archery and watersports.
Nice lesser known towns and villages and places to visit under and hour away
Aberfeldy, Comrie, Crieff , Dunkeld , Pitlochry, Killin, Ballahulish, St Conan’s Kirk, Kilchurn castle, Doune castle (outlander)
Inveraray, Port appin, Fortingall, Castle stalker (monty python), Kinlochlaich garden centre, Stirling castle, The Wallace monument
Distilleries under and hour away
Deanston, Glengoyne, Glenturret and Rosebank are all fabulous and offer tastings and tours
Food
Recommended
@ChefNickRedmond our private chef.
Loch Fyne seafood shack on the pier, samphire seafood restaurant, the George hotel all Inveraray, The Pierhouse hotel Port Appin, Moss Glencoe, Mhor84 and Monachyle Mhor local, Nicks lake of mentieth, Venacher loch side the Taybank inn and aran bakery Dunkeld . Lalique at Glenturret 2 michelin stars
Andrew Fairlie gleneagles 2 michelin stars
Independent shops
Campbell & sons butcher Callander, Mhor bread Callander, Fish in Creiff , Crieff food company. Wild hearth bakery Comrie, Comrie Croft farmshop, Aran bakery Dunkeld
