I’ve been in twice and both times had soup of the day.  The first one was mushroom soup which was really thick and creamy and the second one was a spicy dhal soup which was out of this world.  Both soups were surprisingly filling, which unfortunately means I haven’t been able to try out one of the desserts yet!  If you like tea, Tchai Ovna also provides you with a great opportunity to try out tea which you might never have heard of before.  They have over 80 to choose from so it can be a little overwhelming at first.  So far the Jade Ooolong is my favourite because it’s rounded and flavoursome.  The Long Jin Dragon’s Well was OK but I felt it was a little bitter for my taste.

If you want to buy some tea to take home with you, you can do this also.  Alternatively you can order online from their tea shop.

The Tchai Ovna that I have been going to is in the West End - Tchai-Ovna House of Tea, 42 Otago Lane, Glasgow G11 9PB Tel:  (0141) 357 4524.  However they also have another tea house in the South Side - Tchai-Ovna House of Tea, 169 Deanston Drive, Glasgow G41 3LP.  Tel:  (0141) 649 7258

Verse:
I’ve been wi’ a few o’ ma cronies, one or two pals o’ ma ain
We went in a hotel, where we did very well
Then we came out once again
Then we went into another, that is the reason I’m fu’
We had six deoch an’ doruises, then sang a chorus
Just listen, I’ll sing it to you

Chorus

Verse:
There’s nothing in being teetotal and saving a shilling or two
If your money you spend you’ve nothing to lend
Well, that’s all the better for you
There’s nae harm in taking a drappie, it ends all your trouble and strife
It gives you the feeling that when you get home
You don’t care a hang for the wife!

Chorus

The atmosphere in 13th is very relaxed and laid back so you don’t need to worry about dress code or anything like that.  My only complaint is that the staff are a little too relaxed.  When my boyfriend went up to the bar for some drinks they guy behind the bar said he would serve him shortly.  That member of staff ended up doing other things so my boyfriend had to get a female member of staff to serve him.  There was also a bit more of a delay to have our food order taken too.  This one guy in particular who had tattoos and piercings just pretended to be busy rather than doing any proper work.  That’s the feeling I get anyway.

However the food was well worth the wait.  Another complaint I would make is that the music is really bad and played way too loud.  I’m not sure they really understand their clientele because many of the people in were actually middle-aged.  Please 13th Note, play some decent music like The Kinks or Neil Young.  I get the feeling that people were enduring the music rather than being there because of it.

If 13th Note were just to get some better quality staff and played better music then I think it be pretty much the perfect place to hang out.

13th Note is located at 50-60 King Street, Glasgow, G1 5QT

During our weekend in Killin we stayed at the self catering cottage flat Larachbeag which is just off the main road going through Killin. It has one bedroom, a living room with sofa bed, a kitchen and a bathroom with shower. Although you might describe the apartment as “bijoux” it was beautifully and tastefully decorated and certainly offered amongst the best level of comfort we have experienced from this type of accommodation in Scotland.

If you plan on making your own meals during your stay there is everything in the kitchen you could possibly want, despite it’s compact size. There are plenty of cutlery, plates, mugs, glasses and chopping boards along with some extras such as cling film and tea bags. If you need to buy any food during your visit, there’s a Co-op just diagonally across the road where you will find just about everything you’ll need.

If you decide to take a break from the cooking, the Killin Hotel is literally just a minute or two along the road which offers a variety of quality dishes. I had Spinach and Ricotta lasagne with a side salad and 2 slices of garlic bread. The meal was beautiful and the side salad was the best I’ve ever tasted. It even included sun dried tomatoes and several olives. Alternatively you can walk 5 minutes over to the Falls of Dochart Inn which I also recommend. We had a bowl of broccoli and blue cheese soup with crusty bread for lunch and it was delicious.

Let’s face it, Scotland isn’t know for it’s all year round sunshine so if it’s a dreich day there is a TV and DVD player which will help you pass the time. There is also a selection of books and CDs just in case you forgot to bring any.

Overall, we were delighted with our stay at Larachbeag and wouldn’t hesitate in recommending others to stay there. It’ the perfect base for walkers, cyclists, photographers or for those who just like to go on country drives and a sit in the local pubs.

For more information on booking you stay in Killin, visit the Larachbeag website.

14 January 2006

Camera used: Nikon Coolpix 4200

14 January 2006

Camera used: Nikon Coolpix 4200

14 January 2006

Loch Drunkie is situated in the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. It’s one of my favourite walks, unfortunately during the summer months it’s open to cars. I feel that there’s enough roads in Scotland and that people should get out of their cars once in a while. One time there were two groups of guys in old hatchbacks treating the place like a race track. They didn’t seem to care that people are out with their kids and dogs.

I’ll be checking the place out soon to see if it’s closed to cars for the winter.

Camera used: Nikon Coolpix 4200

Loch Long - 18 March 2006

Camera used: Nikon Coolpix 4200

19 Decemeber 2004

The ice building up on the grass is due to water dripping from the Aqueduct that goes from Loch Katrine to Glasgow.

Camera used: Nikon Coolpix 4200

17 April 2007

When we moved into our house it was early winter. When I saw this tree next door I assumed it was a Chestnut tree due to its size. It wans’t until it bloomed that I realized that it was in fact a rhododendron.

Camera used: Nikon Coolpix 4200