The beautiful Braes o' Balquhidder between Loch Earn and Callander in one of central Scotland's loveliest regions, are renowned in legend, song and story. It was here that the great Scottish patriot, Rob Roy MacGregor lived and died, and here, less than a mile from his grave in the little village of Balquhidder itself, is Black Isle Cottage. A traditional, stone-built, simple yet quite delightful 'but and ben', standing in its own grass garden, it is full of character and has been extended and modernized to offer cosy and comfortable accommodation.
The house is accessed by a quiet little dead-end road, there are fine views across the valley to the hills beyond, and the only sound that is likely to disturb your peace is the sound of the waterfall just beyond the garden (care required with young children.)
You could hardly be more centrally placed for exploring many of Scotland's finest attractions. Walk out on to the hills straight from the house. If you are looking for a greater challenge, Ben Vorlich in one direction and Ben More and Stobinian in the other will test your hill-walking mettle. Loch Earn is only a five minute drive away and is renowned for its sailing and wind surfing facilities. The beautiful Trossachs and Loch Katrine are 25 miles to the south, while a 10 mile drive over Glen Ogle will bring you to pretty Killin and Loch Tay, or branch left to reach Oban and the west coast in little over an hour.
Back in the direction of 'civilisation', the historic cities of Stirling, with its castle, Wallace Monument, and the site of the famous victory at Bannockburn, and Perth, with Scone Palace beside it, are also within an hour's drive.
There is a tearoom in Balquhidder (seasonal opening hours), an hotel two miles away at Kingshouse, and the nearest shops are at Lochearnhead.
A solid-fuel stove in the sitting room runs the background heating and there are also electric heaters. A starter pack of fuel, bed linen and towels are INCLUDED in the rental. One well behaved pet is welcome by arrangement. Smoking is not permitted within the cottage. There is a telephone for incoming calls only.
