ON HOLD LAKE OF MENTEITH

The Lake of Menteith is a unique and special place - the only natural lake in Scotland and an environmental oasis - On the banks is the delightful hamlet of Port of Menteith - so named as for centuries boats have made their way between the Lakeside and the Priory on the Isle of Inchmahome carrying Mary Queen of Scots - esteemed Priory visitors - munitions and -in more recent years-generations of visiting families - In the Port and on the banks you will find The Lake of Menteith Hotel - once the manse for the church and now a fine and popular hotel in the style of a New England Waterfront Inn - No matter the weather nature plays out ever-changing and exciting scenes - fishermen attempt to outwit wily trout - Osprey dive from great heights onto unsuspecting fish - herons patrol the lakeside and in the late evening you can hear the splashing of the otters playing in the shallows and geese returning to roost - In such a wonderful setting this hotel is very much of the place as well as in it - unobtrusive - complimentary and unassuming - The food is honest - tasty and plentiful - sourced as locally as possible and served without fuss and pretension - The hotel is located within The Trossachs National Park yet easily accessible - being an hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh and twenty minutes from both Loch Lomond and the ancient City of Stirling - Stirling has more history than any other royal burgh - it dates back at least to the fifth century - it was originally built of wood and has been torched and burnt to the ground on three occasions - firstly in March 1244 - again in 1298 and later still in 1385 - Stirling became an important settlement because it is the lowest crossing place over the River Forth - Furthermore it has a rocky outcrop which was a natural place to build a fort