|
|
|
THE COTTAGE: Jill’s Cottage is a beautifully
done four-to-six-person historic home in the home village of Rob Roy MacGregor. The
cottage is on the outskirts of the tiny Balquhidder village, less than one-half mile from
the churchyard where Scottish hero Rob Roy MacGregor is buried. There are lovely, easy
walks and more challenging hiking just outside the cottage’s front door.
THE LOCATION: The
Trossachs are best known for their bad-boy favorite son, Rob Roy
MacGregor, legendary Scottish patriot, whose infamous cattle rustling, inter-clan
feuding, and Highland high jinks made him something of a Celtic Jesse James to the
Crown’s red-coated army of Scottish occupation. And, while it’s impossible to
know where his legend ends and historical reality begins, the Rob Roy story only adds
dimension and color to the already mystical landscape of mountains, glens, lochs, heather,
and gorse that adorn the Trossachs and the beautiful Central Highlands. ACTIVITIES: Balquhidder is within the confines of Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, Scotland’s first national park. The park offers excellent walking and hiking, fishing, and cycling in some of Scotland’s most beautiful unspoiled Highland scenery. Conveniently, Balquhidder is in the virtual center of Scotland and, despite its rural beauty, is ideally suited as a base for touring throughout much of Scotland.
AVAILABILITY: For current availability information, call HOME AT FIRST at (800) 523-5842, or contact us by e-mail at: info@homeatfirst.com. NOTE: Jill's Cottage consistently receives high ratings from Home at First guests. More information
about Home at First's travel program to: |
Recently redone with all new furnishings and
fixtures, the cozy cottage comprises two double bedrooms—one with a bathroom (shower,
but no tub). A third bedroom with twin beds is on the second floor of the cottage along
with a second large bathroom with leg tub. The cottage’s first floor includes a
comfortable large living room with fireplace and TV, and a large country kitchen with
oven, microwave, range, and coffee maker. The historic cottage is heated when necessary
with individual electric heating units in each room. There is a laundry room with washer
and tumble dryer. Access to the cottage is via a private gated driveway with parking
provided at the front of the house. All of the cottage’s rear-facing windows provide
classic mountain views of the Scottish Highlands of Balquhidder Glen.
THE SETTING: Balquhidder is nestled in
the geographic center of Scotland affording easy access to much of Scotland, and peaceful,
spectacular scenery at the end of every touring day. Balquhidder offers history and
wonderful views, but—other than a tea room (light meals)—no shops or stores, not
even a pub. One must drive 5 minutes east to reach the King’s House for the nearest
full-service restaurant and pub. Shops, more tea rooms and restaurants are in the villages
of Lochearnhead and Strathyre, respectively 5 minutes north and south of the King’s
House. Another 10-15 minutes south along Loch Lubnaig leads to the region’s market
town of Callander, which has two larger groceries, several restaurants, several other
shops, including some noted woolen mills, and the tourist office for the Trossachs, Rob
Roy country.
The region’s central location makes it a
great base from which the Highlands, the Inner Hebrides isles, coastal lands east and
west, and the great Scottish cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Inverness can be
reached in a series of day trips by car. Edinburgh, St Andrews and the Fife coast are 1-2
hours to the east. The Inner Hebrides, Loch Lomand, Loch Ness, and even Inverness are easy
day trips to the west and north.
THE OFFER: Discover
your Scottish roots even if you’re not Scottish. You can live in a beautiful,
peaceful Scottish glen, shopping, eating, and traveling like a native. Get to know your
neighbors, including woolly sheep and red-haired Highland cows, and